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1993 Ford Tempo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tempo years

Owner complaints for the 1993 Ford Tempo are substantially higher than the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 227 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 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports5 fire reports14 injury reports

Power Train complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2003
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPAIR MY CAR. I'VE PUT ALOT OF MONEY IN MY CAR AND I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. FROM IT CUTTING OFF WHEN I STOP TO CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET MY ROTORS TURN . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW CAN I GET HELP? THEY DON'T EVEN SEND ME RECALL NOTICES. I WAS SURFING THE NET TONIGHT…

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BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPAIR MY CAR. I'VE PUT ALOT OF MONEY IN MY CAR AND I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. FROM IT CUTTING OFF WHEN I STOP TO CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET MY ROTORS TURN . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW CAN I GET HELP? THEY DON'T EVEN SEND ME RECALL NOTICES. I WAS SURFING THE NET TONIGHT AND MOST OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE WITH MY CAR IT'S LISTED IN THE RECALL LIST.MY CAR IS A 1993 FORD TEMPO.PLEASE HELP ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN BEFORE I HAVE A MAJOR ACCIDENT( MY BRAKES ACT LIKE THEY DON'T WONT TO STOP).THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10033227

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2002
Power Train

INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8014836

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE MOTOR AND/OR TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ON THE DESCRIBED VEHICLE HAVE FAILED THREE(3) TIMES, THE FIRST AS NOTED, OCCURRED AFTER ONLY 18,000 MILES AND AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED THE 36 MONTH NEW CAR WARRANTY. WADE FORD IN SMYRNA ,GA REPLACED THE MOUNTS THE FIRST TIME AT NO LABOR CHARGE...ONLY PARTS BECAUSE THE DATE WAS SO …

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THE MOTOR AND/OR TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ON THE DESCRIBED VEHICLE HAVE FAILED THREE(3) TIMES, THE FIRST AS NOTED, OCCURRED AFTER ONLY 18,000 MILES AND AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED THE 36 MONTH NEW CAR WARRANTY. WADE FORD IN SMYRNA ,GA REPLACED THE MOUNTS THE FIRST TIME AT NO LABOR CHARGE...ONLY PARTS BECAUSE THE DATE WAS SO CLOSE TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. SINCE THEN, THE MOUNTS HAVE FAILED TWO MORE TIMES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OTHER CAR OWNERS OF THIS MAKE/MODEL HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM?*AK

NHTSA ODI #756830

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Power Train

SPEED ODOMETER KEEPS GOING OUT. THIS HAPPENS AT 45 MILES PER HOUR. NEEDLE JUMPS AND KIND OF STICKS IN PLACE. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS FOURTH SPEED ODOMETER REPLACE IN 125,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #894193

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

FAN MOTOR OVER HEATS, MAKES A SOUND LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS SHORTING OUT AND SMOKES. HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. WE HAVE HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTIONS SYTEM AND THE BATTERY. THE CAR SHOCKS YOU EVEYTIME YOU TOUCH IT. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS SKIPPING GEARS WHEN YOU TURN ALSO. WE ARE CONSTANTLY REPLACING SOMETHING ON…

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FAN MOTOR OVER HEATS, MAKES A SOUND LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS SHORTING OUT AND SMOKES. HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. WE HAVE HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTIONS SYTEM AND THE BATTERY. THE CAR SHOCKS YOU EVEYTIME YOU TOUCH IT. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS SKIPPING GEARS WHEN YOU TURN ALSO. WE ARE CONSTANTLY REPLACING SOMETHING ON IT AND IT HAS BECOME A REAL PAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #739673

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeat Belts

HORN FAILED.*ET

NHTSA ODI #784133

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeat Belts

HORN DOES NOT WORK. *CJ

NHTSA ODI #784021

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1999
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE REAR TRANSMISSION MOUNT FELL OFF CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING & WENT RIGHT INTO PARK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH A M6056 AFTER MARKET SEALED- POWER MOUNT. *YC

NHTSA ODI #852559

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION MOUNT HAS SHEARED 4 TIMES SINCE 85,000 MILES EACH TIME RESULTING ONLY IN AN ANNOYING THUNK GOING INTO REVERSE EXCEPT THIS TIME WHEN IT SHEARED AT BOTTOM IT ALLOWED THE TRANSAXLE TO FALL DOWN 6 INCHES, FORCING PARK WHILE ACCELERATING, JAMMING THE CRANK PULLEY AND RIPPING OUT THE LEFT HALF SHAFT. I AM APPALLED THAT FO…

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TRANSMISSION MOUNT HAS SHEARED 4 TIMES SINCE 85,000 MILES EACH TIME RESULTING ONLY IN AN ANNOYING THUNK GOING INTO REVERSE EXCEPT THIS TIME WHEN IT SHEARED AT BOTTOM IT ALLOWED THE TRANSAXLE TO FALL DOWN 6 INCHES, FORCING PARK WHILE ACCELERATING, JAMMING THE CRANK PULLEY AND RIPPING OUT THE LEFT HALF SHAFT. I AM APPALLED THAT FORD WOULD NOT THINK OF A CATCH PLATE TO FIT UNDER THE MOUNT AREA FORWARD AND OR A SAFETY WIRE AROUND THE MOUNT'S TWO STUDS TO DISALLOW FALLING TO THE STREET LEVEL WHICH IT DID AT 5MPH ACCELERATING TO A INTERSECTION. THIS IS A KILLER FLAW AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU THINK OF RIPPING OUT A HALF SHAFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FORCING PARK MODE AND JAMMING THE CRANK PULLEY SO,AS TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND RPMS. I REALLY WISH THAT FORD WOULD FIX THIS CAR FOR FREE AS IT IS INEXCUSABLE THAT I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT TWICE A YEAR USING AFTERMARKET MFR FOR $35 WHEN FORD WANTS $91 FOR SAME AND EVEN THE OEM MOUNT RIPPED AT 85,000 MILES..BUT RIPPED AT THE TOP AREA WHICH WAS BENIGN IN SYMPTOMS. I AM DISGUSTED AT THIS DESIGN...MOUNT IS FITTED AT 75 DEGREES ANGLE AND ENGINE-TRANSAXLE HAS NO SAFETY CATCH PLATE OR SAFETY WIRE. PLEASE NOTE THAT SUDDEN SHEAR-TEAR OF THIS LIQUID FILLED RUBBER MOUNT IS LIFE-THREATENING IN NATURE !!!

NHTSA ODI #714298

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1999
Power Train

4TH FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION MOUNT...OEM FAILED AT 85,000 MILES CAUSING THUMP IN REVERSE...NO REAL HAZARD...THREE AFTERMARKET MOUNTS ALSO SHEARED AND THE LAST ONE (M6056) SHEARED AT BOTTOM ALLOWING TRANSAXLE TO DROP NEAR TOUCHING THE ROAD SURFACE. I LOST A HALF SHAFT, SET PARK CONDITION AS A RESULT AT 5MPH, DAMAGED LEFT FRONT HAL…

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4TH FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION MOUNT...OEM FAILED AT 85,000 MILES CAUSING THUMP IN REVERSE...NO REAL HAZARD...THREE AFTERMARKET MOUNTS ALSO SHEARED AND THE LAST ONE (M6056) SHEARED AT BOTTOM ALLOWING TRANSAXLE TO DROP NEAR TOUCHING THE ROAD SURFACE. I LOST A HALF SHAFT, SET PARK CONDITION AS A RESULT AT 5MPH, DAMAGED LEFT FRONT HALF SHAFT AND WEDGED THE ENGINE DAMPER PULLET TO BODY WALL. THIS WILL COST NEAR $2500 FIX. FORD SHOULD INSTALL A CATCH PLATE UNDER THE MOUNT OR A SAFETY WIRE AROUND THE MOUNT TO PREVENT SUDDEN DROP OF TRANSAXLE FROM REAR WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS POTENTIAL KILLER AND FATAL DEFECT. I AM APPALLED AT THE DESIGN OF SUCH MOUNT AND THE SLANT THAT FORD PUTS IT ON (75 DEGREES) WITH NO SAFETY CATCH PLATE UNDER IT. THIS SHOULD BE NOTED TO FORD AND IMMEDIATELY DISSEMINATED!

NHTSA ODI #714296

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.