Total Complaints
143 filings
FORD TEMPO · model year
1991 FORD TEMPO
143 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991FORDTEMPO carries 143 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 7 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1991 TEMPO is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 21 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition (9) and engine and engine cooling:engine (6). 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 1991 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.
143
Complaints
12
Crashes
7
Fires
8
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
12 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 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
Recent Complaints
20081220SEAT BELTS
SHOULDER HARNESS FOR BOTH FRONT OCCUPANTS FAILS TO LOCK WHEN VEHICLE MAKES A DRASTIC STOP. FORD SHOWS NO RECALL. I HAD TO MODIFY THE LOCKING HARNESS TO MAKE IT A FULL TIME RESTRAINT
Mileage: 38,000
20081124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TEMPO. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Mileage: 45,000
20071023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1991 FORD TEMPO STARTED SMOKING AND THEN DEBRIS FLEW OFF AND HIT THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER IT AND DISCOVERED OIL WAS LEAKING AND PIECE OF FROM THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
20060411UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER PURCHASED A 1991 TEMPO AND WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEFECTS. *TS *JB
20050701SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CH
Mileage: 40,000
20050701SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CH
Mileage: 40,000
20050701SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CH
Mileage: 40,000
20050701SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CH
Mileage: 40,000
20050701FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CH
Mileage: 40,000
20050701VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CH
Mileage: 40,000
20040524SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
INTERMITTENTLY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MOTOR TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK *NM
Mileage: 105,000
20040424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY THE WINDSHIELDWIPERS BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER A NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED A WEEK PRIOR WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND THE WIRES COMING FROM THE CAR TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE COMPLETELY MELTED, AND THERE WAS NO CONNECTION TO THE ALTERNATOR. THE TERMINAL WAS REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, I DROVE 45 MILES FROM THE SHOP TO MY HOUSE AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD THE CABLE ENTERING THE ALTERNATOR HAD ALREADY BEGAN TO MELT AND BUBBLE. *AK
Mileage: 112,633
20030513SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DOOR OPERATED SHOULDER BELT FAILED, IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF THIS THING HAPPENING, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS IN THIS AREA. NO PART OF RESTRAINT SYSTEM SHOULD EVER FAIL. MANUFACTURERS HAVE DISCONTINUED USING THIS. WONDER WHY? *JB
Mileage: 89,000
20030414POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN UP AN INCLINE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE BACKWARD. *NLM
20020619SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20020619STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION STEERING WHEEL BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
20020514ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, IT STARTED EXPERIENCING STALLING MOSTLY AFTER COMING TO A STOP, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERS WHO CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND HAS SPENT A LOT OF MONEY, THE STALLING HAS ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION, VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 89767 MILES. *SLC
20020307ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY CAR HAS A STALLING PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT JUST DIES WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND SOMETIMES IT TRY'S TO DIE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT AND I HEARD A RECALL ON THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF MY CAR ON THE NEWS BUT I DIDN'T GET A LETTER TELLING ME OR SOMETHING THAT I COULD TAKE TO THE DEALER SO I CAN GET IT FIXED. BECAUSE IF I DON'T I'M GOING TO BE IN AN ACCADIENT IF I DON'T AND I HAD LIKE TO GET THE RECALL FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE A 7 MONTH OLD BABY AND DON'T WANT TO BE IN AN ACCADIENT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.*AK
20011030ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, IT STARTED EXPERIENCING STALLING MOSTLY AFTER COMING TO A STOP, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERS WHO CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND HAS SPENT A LOT OF MONEY, THE STALLING HAS ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION, VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 89767 MILES. *SLC
20010920ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN TRAVELING AT 50MPH AND COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT/SIGN, VEHICLE WOULD STALL FOR NO REASON. HAD TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. EACH TIME A TEMPORARY FIX, AND THEN IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. MECHANIC HAD TEST DRIVEN VEHICLE AND IT STALLED.*AK *SLC
Compare 1991FORDTEMPO 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 1991 FORD TEMPO have?▼
The 1991 FORD TEMPO has 143 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 7 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 FORD TEMPO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 FORD TEMPO is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1991 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.