MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Tempo

● Typical for this model
1988 Ford Tempo
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:49.825Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
129
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 30 complaints 1985 1986: 31 complaints 1987: 53 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 129 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 1985: 30 complaints 1986: 31 complaints 1986 1987: 53 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 129 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 1985: 30 complaints 1985 1986: 31 complaints 1986 1987: 53 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1988 129 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

1988: 129 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

44% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing switch and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Smelled hot wire smell while driving on highway. Noticed 1 inch flame in left airvent which grew to 5 inches when stopped car. Unhooked battery, poured liquid over dashboard which was on fire, closed door, waited for firetruck.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-06

Alternator in vehicle has failed five times, last time it failed it caused an engine compartment fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-10-19

Alternator caught fire while driving (Original equipment). Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-30

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The treads of the tire warped with only 10000 miles on it (Firestone lemans radial at). *nlm shortly after the tire was changed a fire started under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-02

Seat belts

14% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

9% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and fuel injection system.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Gasoline leaks on engine. *ak consumer noticed gasoline coming out of the vacuum hose that runs from the fuel pressure regulator to the vacuum fitting, consumer realized the regulator must be faulty.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-23

Engine compartment fire, possible fuel line malfuction. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-09

Service brakes

7% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

INJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1988-03-18Vehicle speed control88V024000 Two attachment screws for the throttle position sensors could loosen and back out.

    Remedy: Replace attachment screws with screws with pre applied adhesive that will be tightened to a higher torque specification.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1989-12-27Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Failed passive restraint
  3. I
    1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
  4. I
    1991-11-27Engineering analysisClosed 1992-11-24 Seat belt separation
  5. I
    1996-01-11Defect petitionClosed 1996-01-19 Rear brake system failure
  6. I
    1996-01-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-05-28 Rear brk adjuster failure
  7. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Ford Tempo — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V024000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford Tempo reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Ford Tempo is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Tempo?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Tempo have?
2 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.