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Model year record

1992 Ford Tempo recalls & problems

The 1992 Ford Tempo has 2 safety recalls and 176 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (56 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints176filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 21reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths18 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingFeb 25, 1997

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 97V01900075,200 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
Electrical systemApr 25, 1996

Ignition

Recall 96V0710007,900,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Tempo

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Tempo

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Tempo FS

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Tempo

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Tempo

19mpg combined
City / highway18 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline5602089,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch480160—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage43206—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal16100—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components15030—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly › Axle shaft13000—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly12213—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly11000—
Unknown or other9000—
SuspensionFront; Front › Shock absorber8000—
Air bagsFrontal77012—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Brake lights6000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations