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1992 Ford Tempo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tempo years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Ford Tempo are substantially higher than the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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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 176 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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 41 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 reports20 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

176 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Seat Belts

I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE ENGINE SIZE OR CYLINDERS FOR SURE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOTOR SHOULDER BELT HAS NOT WORKED FOR A TIME BEFORE I WAS GIVEN THE CAR IN NOVEMBER, L997. IT IS STUCK IN A POSITION MIDWAY IN THE TRACK. IT WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY. THIS IS A PROBLEM EQUIPMENT ON THIS CAR AND I NEED…

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I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE ENGINE SIZE OR CYLINDERS FOR SURE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOTOR SHOULDER BELT HAS NOT WORKED FOR A TIME BEFORE I WAS GIVEN THE CAR IN NOVEMBER, L997. IT IS STUCK IN A POSITION MIDWAY IN THE TRACK. IT WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY. THIS IS A PROBLEM EQUIPMENT ON THIS CAR AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT. I AM A LOW-INCOME SENIOR LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND WOULD LIKE THIS BELT TO BE OPERATIONAL BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT ON MY INCOME. PLEASE LET ME HEAR FROM YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725950

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2000
Electrical System

SMOKING LIKE A CIGARETTE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FORD DEALER IN ATHENS,OHIO SAID MY CAR HAD NO RECALL I AM AFAID IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE LIKE MY BROTHERS 1985 FORD TEMPO THEY NEVER GOT A THING FOR THERE CAR. IT WENT UP IN FLAMES IN A MINUTE. I WANT FORD TO FIX MINE. TELL ME HOW?

NHTSA ODI #722954

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2000
Electrical System

CAR DOESN'T START COMPUTER MISDIAGNOSING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721548

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Seat Belts

MOTOR BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO OPERATE, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR SEAT BELT UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860224

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #711308

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2000
Seat Belts

THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN THIS VEHICLE. AT AROUND $150 EACH TIME IT IS GETTING QUITE EXPENSIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TURN IN MY COMPLAINT TO THE PROPER DEPARTMENT. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS THAT, FORD RECALLED THE PROBE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT THE TEMPO…

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THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN THIS VEHICLE. AT AROUND $150 EACH TIME IT IS GETTING QUITE EXPENSIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TURN IN MY COMPLAINT TO THE PROPER DEPARTMENT. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS THAT, FORD RECALLED THE PROBE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT THE TEMPOS. ALSO I HAVE LOOKED LOCALLY AND ACROSS THE NATION FOR REPLACEMENT RESTRAINTS AT WRECKING YARDS AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME THAT WHEN A TEMPO (2 DOOR) COMES IN THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO GO. SO THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE THIS SAFETY HARNESS 3 TIMES. YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, STEVEN PRIDDY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #720931

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2000
Electrical System

AFTER THE REPAIRS OF RECALL 96V071/ IGNITION SWITCH, VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND WILL REPAIR VEHICLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859459

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2000
Seat Belts

MY IS: STEVEN ENCARNACION. ADDRESS: 1204 ST. JOSEPH WAY, PETALUMA, CA 94954-5360, E:MAIL STEVOE@HOME.COM. TELEPHONE #(707)763-7437. THIS IS THE THIRD OF FOUR (1ST ODI #719304, 2ND ODI #719313) COMPLAINTS I'M FILEING AGAINST G&C AUTOBODY FOR RENTING OUT VEHICLES WITH KNOWN SAFETY DEFECTS FOR PROFIT. ON 01/19/2000 I RENTED THE FOR…

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MY IS: STEVEN ENCARNACION. ADDRESS: 1204 ST. JOSEPH WAY, PETALUMA, CA 94954-5360, E:MAIL STEVOE@HOME.COM. TELEPHONE #(707)763-7437. THIS IS THE THIRD OF FOUR (1ST ODI #719304, 2ND ODI #719313) COMPLAINTS I'M FILEING AGAINST G&C AUTOBODY FOR RENTING OUT VEHICLES WITH KNOWN SAFETY DEFECTS FOR PROFIT. ON 01/19/2000 I RENTED THE FORD TEMPO, RENTAL AGREEMENT #25778, REPAIR ORDER #000676, WHILE OUR VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED. I BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT THE RENTAL WAS MISSING THE RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR TO CASEY PUTERBAUGH (G&C CUSTOMER SERVICE), SHE SAID "OH THE PARTS MUST BE ON ORDER". THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DIDN'T I WOULD JUST GET IN AND LEAN AGAINST IT (OUR 1991 HONDA ACCORD EX THAT WAS BEING REPAIRED HAD AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS ALSO). ON 02/09/2000 AS I LEANED FORWARD TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE BELT CAME SLIDING FORWARD FROM BEHIND ME AT A VERY FAST SPEED, CAUGHT ME BEHIND THE NECK AND PUSHED MY HEAD INTO THE DOOR GLASS AND UPPER DOOR FRAME ABOVE THE GLASS. I TOOK THE CAR TO G&C TO GET ANOTHER RENTAL AND TALKED TO GENE CROZAT, HE SAID THE BELT COULDN'T THROW ME FORWARD AND THAT HE WASN'T GOING TO PAY FOR ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE PETALUMA POLICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THEY CARRY INSURANCE FOR IT. I HAD TO SEE MY DOCTOR FOR THE INJURY. WHEN I WAS OUTSIDE TALKING TO GENE ABOUT THE INJURY, MY WIFE WAS IN THE LOBBY AND SAID SHE HEARD WILBERT JOHNSON TELLING THE STAFF "THIS GUY OUT HERE HASN'T LEARNED TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY OF THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT!". I RECEIVED A CERTIFIED LETTER ON 02/26/2000 FROM G&C. IT STATES, 1)THE BELT WAS BEHIND ME WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AND THREW ME (THIS IS CORRECT), 2)IT STATES I WASN'T USING THE BELT AS IT WAS INTENDED AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE (HOW DO YOU USE A DEFECTIVE BELT CORRECTLY? RESPONSIBILITY SEEMS TO BE A BURDEN TO G&C AUTOBODY), 3)GENE CROZAT, ALAYNE SATURDAY (CONTROLLER), MY WIFE AND I ALL AGREE THAT THE BELT IS DEFECTIVE RE:IT DIDN'T SLIDE FORWARD AND CAUSED THE INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #719345

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Electrical System

TUMBLER TO IGNITION MALFUNCTIONED, CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS TURNING KEY AND RING AROUND ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM FELL OFF. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #856634

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ON THE FORD TEMPO IS DEFECTIVE. WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROMBLEM, BUT THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY FORD OWNERS AND MANY MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS THAT DRIVE THESE CARS TO AND FROM COLLEGE. ONE BRO…

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THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ON THE FORD TEMPO IS DEFECTIVE. WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROMBLEM, BUT THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY FORD OWNERS AND MANY MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS THAT DRIVE THESE CARS TO AND FROM COLLEGE. ONE BROKE DOWN WITH THIS PULLEY PROBLEM AND WAS COMPLETELEY STRANDED. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECAL OR REIMBERS OWNERS FOR THE HUGE EXSPENSENCE OF THEIR FAULTY CAR COMPONENETS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717148

Official recalls

2

97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Feb 25, 1997

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

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

2

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.