1991 Ford Tempo recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 TEMPO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V071000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Summary: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
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.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1991 Ford Tempo owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (34), Electrical system (28), Brakes (21), Hydraulic (21), Seat belts (13).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/20/2008 · Seat 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
11/24/2008 · Electrical 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.
10/23/2007 · Engine
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
04/06/2006 · Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER PURCHASED A 1991 TEMPO AND WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEFECTS. *TS *JB
07/01/2005 · Brakes
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…
06/22/2004 · Seat belts
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
04/24/2004 · Electrical system
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…
05/13/2003 · Seat belts
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