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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 →
110Owner complaints

Model-year median: 30

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

4Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
126
1988124
1989133
1990110
1991176
1992227
1993161
1994
Compare all Tempo years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
31Electrical System
22Service Brakes, Hydraulic
18Seat Belts
13Fuel System, Gasoline
9
All reported categories
Seats
8Vehicle Speed Control
8Steering
4Power Train
3Unknown Or Other
3Visibility
3Air Bags
1Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Other
1Structure
1Suspension
1

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 13, 1999
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM BECAUSE COVERS FADED BADLY. HAVE TALKED TO LOCAL DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT IS COMMON ON THIS MODEL TEMPO AS WELL AS MUSTANGS AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES. VERY DANGEROUS VISIBILITY LEVELS AT NIGHT. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ALMOST ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE POOR LIGHTING, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HAL…

Read full complaint

HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM BECAUSE COVERS FADED BADLY. HAVE TALKED TO LOCAL DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT IS COMMON ON THIS MODEL TEMPO AS WELL AS MUSTANGS AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES. VERY DANGEROUS VISIBILITY LEVELS AT NIGHT. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ALMOST ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE POOR LIGHTING, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HALOGEN BULBS, THE ARE INEFFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #706460

Official recalls

1

96V071000 · 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

4

EA96024 · 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