IllustrationENGINE: WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE OR STOP THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS. ALSO WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT STALLS AND MAKES A VIBRATING NOISE. *AK
1991 Ford Tempo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tempo years
Owner complaints for the 1991 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: 6 of 110 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
31 reportsMUFFLER RUSTED ON INSIDE, PIECES OF RUSTED MUFFLER DEBRIS STOPPED THE EXHAUST FLOW AND CAUSED BACK PRESSURE AGAINST THE PFE SENSOR AND ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE STALLING.
SEAT BELT FAILED. NLM
WHEN TAKING CAR OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE THE CAR STALLS , HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS.*AK ALSO REPLACED FUEL PUMP 4 TIMES ALSO HAS NEEDE MULTIPL GAKETS REPAIRS.*JB
CLAMPS HOLDING MUFFLER IN PLACE BREAK AT NORMAL/HIGH SPEEDS.
ALTERNATOR FAILED TWICE.
FAILED MOTOR MOUNT CAUSED ENGINE TORQUE TO BREAK SEAL ON AIR FILTER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ALSO CAUSED CV BOOTS TO FAIL. *DSH
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY PISTON ROD CAME LOOSE AND WENT THROUGH THE MOTOR CAUSED PIECES OF METAL TO FLY FROM CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
VEHICLE FIRE. *AK
SILICONE SCREW GLUDED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FELL OUT. OIL LEAKAGE ON HOUSING. COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. TT
Official recalls
196V071000 · 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.
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
4EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
PE96005 · 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