Total Complaints
168 filings
FORD TEMPO · model year
1989 FORD TEMPO
168 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989FORDTEMPO carries 168 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 26 fires, 6 injuries, 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 1989 TEMPO is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 21 filings, followed by exterior lighting:headlights (14) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum (14). 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 1989 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.
168
Complaints
5
Crashes
26
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 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 |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 21 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 12 |
| SEAT BELTS | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 9 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 6 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 3 |
Recent Complaints
20140512STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CAR HAS MAJOR LEAKING ISSUES. EVERY TIME IT RAINS/SNOWS/SLEETS/HAIL IT LEAKS INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE INTO THE ROOF AND ONCE THAT AREA IS SOAKED IT STARTS TO DRIP SLOWLY ONTO THE SEAT AND FLOOR. THERE IS ALSO A LEAK IN THE TRUNK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, OR AT LEAST THAT IS WHERE THE WATER ACCUMULATES UNTIL A SMALL PUDDLE HAS FORMED IN THE WELL THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE. AND IT SEEMS TO ALSO SPREAD INTO THE BACKSEAT AND GATHERS IN THE BACKSEAT FOOTWELL BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *TR
20080303CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD TEMPO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND SHUT OFF AFTER A HALF MILE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN BACK TO THE GARAGE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SCRATCHES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,200.
Mileage: 99,200
20070123SEAT BELTS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SUPPORT ON THE 1989 FORD TEMPO HAD DISENGAGED ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE SEAT BELT SUPPORT WAS MADE FROM AN INFERIOR PLASTIC WHICH BECAME BRITTLE. *NM
Mileage: 72,000
20060424FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER LETTER CONCERNING THE SETTLEMENT IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB
20040927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AUTOMOBILE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS WORKING. TWO POLICE OFFICERS HEARD THE IGNITION CLICKING, BUT COULDN'T SEE A CAR WITH AN INDIVIDUAL IN IT. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FIRE SHOWS THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BATTERY DRAIN---UNKNOWN CAUSE
Mileage: 99,500
20040304SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLETO A MECHANIC, AND BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. *AK
20030822EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
HEAD COVERS ATTACHMENT ON THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSE LESS VISIBILITY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. INTERMITTENTLY THE LIGHT WILL APPEAR TO BE NORMAL. FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
20030519UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT ANY RECALLS ON 1989 FORD TEMPO.*AK *JB
20030403ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
SINCE 2000, MY 1989 FORD TEMPO HAD BROKEN DOWN FOUR TIMES, TWICE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. EACH TIME, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ALTERNATOR, AND I HAD IT REPLACED. NOW, IN APRIL OF 2003, THE ALTERNATOR IS ABOUT TO DIE YET AGAIN. MY CAR HAS 99,000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES PER YEAR. FIVE ALTERNATORS IN THREE YEARS IS NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A CAR. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE FORD TEMPO SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. AND I SEE FROM OTHER FILED COMPLAINTS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.
Mileage: 99,000
20020514VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GAS PEDAL FEELS STICKY AND IS HARD TO PUSH. *TT
20020514ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE IGNITION MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. *SLC
20020131ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO THICK IGNITION MODULE THAT FAILED, CONSUMER FEELS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TT
20020131VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GAS PEDAL FEELS STICKY AND IS HARD TO PUSH. *TT
20011227ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE IGNITION MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. *SLC
20011102ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME. PROBLEM USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE 0VERHEATS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOTED THAT PROBLEM COULD BE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
20010109ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT, CONSUMER STATES THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND USUALLY OCCURS AT A SIGNAL LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *SLC
20001228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. HOWEVER, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE HEATED UP AFTER A 50 MILE TRIP. *YH
20001204ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ANY TIME AT A STOP LIGHT OR STARTING TO MOVE OR GOING AROUND CORNERS VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT FOR NO REASON. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE PROBLEM.*AK
20001101UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS WARM ONLY. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MANY TIMES. THIS IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE BUT A PROBLEM OF PERSONAL SAFETY. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Compare 1989FORDTEMPO 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 1989 FORD TEMPO have?▼
The 1989 FORD TEMPO has 168 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 26 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 FORD TEMPO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 FORD TEMPO is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM.
Is the 1989 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.