IllustrationDROVE TO STORE, RETURNED HOME, NOTICED BRAKE LIGHT STILL ON, CHECKED UNDERNEATH AND BUNDLE OF WIRES WAS SMOKING, UNPLUGGED BRAKE SWITCH, WIRES OVERHEATED. *AK CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND REPAIR WIRES THEY MELTED TOGETHER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE SWITCH WIRE HAD MELTED TOGETHER CAUSING A HOT SHORT.*JB
1988 Ford Tempo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tempo years
Owner complaints for the 1988 Ford Tempo are substantially higher than the model-year median of 30.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tempo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 126 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports35 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
126 reportsCONSUMER PARKED, THE CAR CUT OFF AND CAR STARTED IT UP AND HIT A TRUCK.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHENSHE CAME OUT OF STORE SHE COULD NOT FIND HER VEHICLE, SHE STATES SOMEONE TOLD HER THAT VEHICLE STARTED UP WENT BACKWARDS MADE A U-TURN, THE BACK OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD
SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *SD
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION, CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 15-20MPH, EPERIENCED FAILURE OF LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BRAKE ADJUSTERS, CAUSING REAR TIRES TO LOCK UP. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
ELECTRICAL WIRING FIRE. *SD
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
Official recalls
296V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
88V024000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Mar 1, 1988
TWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE ATTACHMENT SCREWS WITH SCREWS WITH PRE APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5PE96005 · Rear Brk Adjuster Failure
Opened Jan 19, 1996 · Closed May 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ
DP96002 · Rear Brake System Failure
Opened Jan 11, 1996 · Closed Jan 19, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA91052 · Seat Belt Separation
Opened Nov 27, 1991 · Closed Nov 24, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA90042 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA90008 · Failed Passive Restraint
Opened Dec 27, 1989 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT