Total Complaints
79 filings
FORD TEMPO · model year
1987 FORD TEMPO
79 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1987FORDTEMPO carries 79 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 21 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1987 TEMPO is electrical system:ignition:switch with 11 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (10) and electrical system:ignition (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1987 TEMPO, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
79
Complaints
2
Crashes
21
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 2 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20020904ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED WHEN ENGINE IS HOT. DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, INCLUDING FUEL PUMP. BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *YH
20020521ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING MAKING BRAKING AND STEERING MORE DIFFICULT, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED, ON ONE OCCASION THE DRIVE STRUCK A UTILITY POLE AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MAKING A TURN.
20020514ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHEN STARTING DUE TO TFI MODULE FAILURE. *YH
20010906CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT NOTICE DURING SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND THE BRAKING AND STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND ALTHOUGH THE STALLING WAS EVEIDENT, NO ONE COUL;D CLARIFY WHY AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM REPROTING THIS PROBLEM ON BEHALF OF MY ELDERLY MOTHER, WHO HAS HAD THIS STALLING PROBLEM SINCE SHE PURCHASED THIS USED VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYONE TO SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE TEMPO IS HER ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND SHE HAS HAD TO COPE WITH THE STALLING PROBLEMS BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE. SHE RECENTLY STRUCK A UTILITY POLE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE SHE WAS MAKING A TURN AND DAMAGED HER VEHICLE. SHE DESPARATELY NEEDS SOME ASSISTANCE IN HAVING FORD MAKE HER VEHICLE SAFE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AT THEIR 1.800.392.3673 NUMBER AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF SELVIN, WHO BASICALLY SAID THAT FORD WILL NOT VOLUNTAR
20010507ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR REBUILT AND BOUGHT FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. THIS WAS THE SECOND ALTERNATOR WITH PROBLEMS, THE FIRST WAS TAKEN BACK AND THIS ONE THE MECHANIC REPLACED AND SAID THAT WHO DOES ADVANCE'S REBUILDING ISN'T THAT GREAT. THE TIME AND MONEY SPENT FOR THEIR REJECT ALTERNATOR'S IS UNJUST. THE RED LIGHT INDICATOR STAYED ON UNTIL THIS NEW ALTERNATOR WAS PUT IN.*AK
20010412ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING OFF AND ON SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, NUMEROUS REPAIRS. CANNOT REMEDY.*AK
20001213FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I AM FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO PAST DUE BILLS; HOWEVER I AM TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE CAR PROBLEMS, I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS CAR! AS MENTIONED I WAS GIVEN A FINE OF $50.00 FOR EXPIRED TAGS BY ABOUT A WEEK; I WOULD HAVE WENT TO MVA IF GIVEN A WARNING FOR RENEWAL! WITH ALL OF THE EXPENSES IN A CAR IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET SOME WORK DONE WITHOUT BEING INDEBTED TO A HIGH PRICED MECHANIC? ECONOMICS SHOULD NOT PLAY A PART FOR SAFETY OF A CAR; SHOULD HAVE WAYS TO HELP ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. PLEASE READ OUT OF CONCERN AND NOT TO BE USED AGAINST ME BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND TO HELP OTHERS WHO WANT A SAFE VEHICLE BUT CAN'T AFFORD ALL OF THE HIGH BILLS.F. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED . *AK
20001213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I AM FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO PAST DUE BILLS; HOWEVER I AM TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE CAR PROBLEMS, I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS CAR! AS MENTIONED I WAS GIVEN A FINE OF $50.00 FOR EXPIRED TAGS BY ABOUT A WEEK; I WOULD HAVE WENT TO MVA IF GIVEN A WARNING FOR RENEWAL! WITH ALL OF THE EXPENSES IN A CAR IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET SOME WORK DONE WITHOUT BEING INDEBTED TO A HIGH PRICED MECHANIC? ECONOMICS SHOULD NOT PLAY A PART FOR SAFETY OF A CAR; SHOULD HAVE WAYS TO HELP ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. PLEASE READ OUT OF CONCERN AND NOT TO BE USED AGAINST ME BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND TO HELP OTHERS WHO WANT A SAFE VEHICLE BUT CAN'T AFFORD ALL OF THE HIGH BILLS.F. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED . *AK
20000922FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CAR WONT RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVIN AND OR STOPPED AT IDLE SPEED. CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED CONTINUALLY. FORD MOTOR WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP , BUT INSTEAD REPLACED TFI SWITCH AND TWO OTHER SENSORS , BUT AM STILL HAVING SAME SYMTOMS SENT CAR BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME ITS THE FUEL PUMP WICH IS WHY I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TO BEGIN WITH.. THEN I HERE ON THE NEWS ABOUT THIS TFI SWITCH THAT FORD MOTOR CHARGED ME AN ARM A LEG AND A FOOT FOR 640.00... I SEE A COVER UP OR SOMTHING IS NOT RIGHT AT MY EXPENSE.. NOT TO MENTION THE STEARING PROBLEMS AND THE BRAKE FAILURE.. AND NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS NEVER AGAIN WILL I TRUST FORD.AND I CURRENTLY HAVE A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MY STATE WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK AND OUR CAR FIXED RIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING I HAVE SUNK 700 PLUS ANOTHER 400 FOR BAKES ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAD 40.000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM A FAMILY MEMBER.*AK
20000921STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING INTO A DRIVEWAY TIE ROD: INNER BROKE OUT OF GEAR BOX, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. FORD HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
20000322FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED. MJS
19990609ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED STALLING CONDITIONS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION MODULE. MJS
19990609POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS
19990527SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED. MJS
19990527VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
IDLE SPEED CONTROL ACTUATOR AND VALVE FAILED. MJS
19990527ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ECM, VALVE COVER GASKET AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. MJS
19990527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ECM, VALVE COVER GASKET AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. MJS
19990527ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
ECM, VALVE COVER GASKET AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. MJS
19990526VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
MY CAR STARTED ACTING UP 1ST BY CUTTING OUT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, THE IT WOULD REV UP,AND THEN COMPLETELY QUIT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE TACHOMETER WOULD SPIN AROUND BACKWARDS. AFTER SETTING FOR A FEW HOURS IT WOULD START AND MAYBE RUN FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN PROBLEM 2 HAPPENED. MY HORN STARTED BEEPING FOR NO REASON AND I HAD TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT. THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL NOW. WE HAVE CHANGED THE COMPUTER BRAIN AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR THE HORN BEEPS WITH NO FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX. WE ARE NOW THINKING IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. HOW CAN THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED, OR EVEN NARROWED DOWN TO SEE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
19990526ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY CAR STARTED ACTING UP 1ST BY CUTTING OUT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, THE IT WOULD REV UP,AND THEN COMPLETELY QUIT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE TACHOMETER WOULD SPIN AROUND BACKWARDS. AFTER SETTING FOR A FEW HOURS IT WOULD START AND MAYBE RUN FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN PROBLEM 2 HAPPENED. MY HORN STARTED BEEPING FOR NO REASON AND I HAD TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT. THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL NOW. WE HAVE CHANGED THE COMPUTER BRAIN AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR THE HORN BEEPS WITH NO FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX. WE ARE NOW THINKING IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. HOW CAN THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED, OR EVEN NARROWED DOWN TO SEE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
Compare 1987FORDTEMPO to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1987 FORD TEMPO have?▼
The 1987 FORD TEMPO has 79 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 21 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 FORD TEMPO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1987 FORD TEMPO is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1987 FORD TEMPO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.