MYRModel Year Report

1984 Ford Tempo

○ Not enough data
1984 Ford Tempo
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:09:49.627Z

Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
14

Too few to rank

Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1984

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1984 14 1985: 30 complaints 1986: 31 complaints 1987: 53 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 126 complaints 1990: 135 complaints 1991: 116 complaints 1991 1992: 177 complaints 1993: 231 complaints 1994: 163 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 1 complaint 2000: 1 complaint 2000
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1984 14 1985: 30 complaints 1986: 31 complaints 1986 1987: 53 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 126 complaints 1990: 135 complaints 1990 1991: 116 complaints 1992: 177 complaints 1992 1993: 231 complaints 1994: 163 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 1 complaint 2000: 1 complaint 2000
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 14 complaints 1984 14 1985: 30 complaints 1985 1986: 31 complaints 1986 1987: 53 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 126 complaints 1989 1990: 135 complaints 1990 1991: 116 complaints 1991 1992: 177 complaints 1992 1993: 231 complaints 1993 1994: 163 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 1 complaint 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000

1984: 14 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19830
198414
198530
198631
198753
1988129
1989126
1990135
1991116
1992177
1993231
1994163
19953
19962
19972
19981
19991
20001

Known problem areas

Only 14 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Electrical system

12 of 14 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Wk. 703-356-2050, started the vehicle turn ignition on, vehicle cut off, saw smoke under the hood, engine compartment/under the dash.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-19

While parked, an electrical short or shock caused the vehicle ignition switch to catch on fire. Please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-18

Class action for Ford tfi module in Ford Tempo.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-23

Seat belts

2 of 14 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 14 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and fan.

Seats

1 of 14 total reports mentions: seats, most commonly citing recliner.

Power train

1 of 14 total reports mentions: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1983-05-04Interior lighting83V055000 In the event of a short circuit in the instrument panel, the headlamp and interior illumination control switches could overheat.

    Remedy: The headlamp switch will be replaced and fuse and fuse panel will be inspected for safe operation.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1983-12-22Seat belts83V134000 The bolts that attach the d-shaped ring for the shoulder belt are inadequately supported by the material in which they are mounted. The attachment does not comply with the requirements of federal…

    Remedy: Dealers will install new attaching hardware to improve the strength of the mounting.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1984-08-14Seats84V071000 Seat frame structure could sever front seat belts if vehicle is involved in an accident, depending on force of impact.

    Remedy: Dealer will install a molded spacer between reinforcement plates and lower decorative plastic cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1985-11-05Suspension85V145000 Rear supension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture causing the rear spindle to separate during use of car.

    Remedy: Replace rear suspension bolts as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1986-03-26Engineering analysisClosed 1989-07-28 Seatback failure
  6. R
    1986-06-20Seats86V082000 The forward bolt that provides part of the attachment between the driver's seat back assembly and the seat cushion frame may be subject to fatigue fracture.

    Remedy: Replace screws that attach driver's seat back assembly to the seat cushion frame.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1987-01-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1987-08-06 Steering syst. Failures
  8. I
    1987-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-01-21 Stalling
  9. I
    1988-03-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-09-19 Halfshaft failure
  10. I
    1996-01-11Defect petitionClosed 1996-01-19 Rear brake system failure
  11. I
    1996-01-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-05-28 Rear brk adjuster failure
  12. R
    2007-10-15Fuel system, gasoline07E064000 Certain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under the brand names of carter, accuflow, napa, truflow, parts depo, and parts master, shipped between August 2006 and July 2007 for use on the…

    Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2007. Owners can contact federal-mogul at 248-354-7700.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    Date not on fileSuspension85V086000 Rear suspension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture during use of car.

    Remedy: Replace rear suspension bolts as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1984 Ford Tempo — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 85V086000 · Suspension
  • Recall 83V055000 · Interior lighting
  • Recall 83V134000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 84V071000 · Seats
  • Recall 85V145000 · Suspension
  • Recall 86V082000 · Seats
  • Recall 07E064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1984 Ford Tempo reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1984 Ford Tempo?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 86% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1984 Ford Tempo have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.