Ford Tempo

Owners filed 817 complaints across 11 model years of the Ford Tempo. The 1993 drew the most (227); the 2000 the fewest (1).

Model years11
Complaints817
Recalls8
Fires64
Deaths3

Every Ford Tempo model year compared

Complaints per year
YearComplaintsRelative volumeRecallsFiresCrashesMost reportedStatus
20001
0Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineRoutine
19991
0Visibility › Windshield Wiper/WasherRoutine
19981
0Electrical System › IgnitionRoutine
19972
0Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › RotorRoutine
19962
0Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle ShaftRoutine
19953
01Tires › Tread/BeltRoutine
1994161
1519Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineRoutine
1993227
2516Seat BeltsFatalities reported
1992176
22111Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFatalities reported
1991110
1611Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFatalities reported
1990133
22716Electrical System › IgnitionHigh concern

Which Ford Tempo years should you avoid?

On raw complaint volume the 1993 is the weakest year on record, with 227 complaints concentrated in the seat belts. It carries 2 recalls.

Read these numbers with sales volume in mind. A model year that sold in huge numbers naturally accumulates more reports than a rare one, and older cars have had more years to fail. The stronger signal is the severity columns and whether the same component keeps coming up year after year.

Data: NHTSA complaint and recall files, September 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports.