MYRModel Year Report

1992 Ford Tempo

◆ Worse than typical
1992 Ford Tempo
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:38:17.188Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Tempo Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1992 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 30 complaints 1985 1986: 31 complaints 1987: 53 complaints 1988: 126 complaints 1988 1989: 124 complaints 1990: 133 complaints 1991: 110 complaints 1991 1992: 176 complaints 1992 1993: 227 complaints 1994: 161 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 1 complaints 2000: 1 complaints 2000
1992: 176 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19830
198414
198530
198631
198753
1988126
1989124
1990133
1991110
1992176
1993227
1994161
19953
19962
19972
19981
19991
20001

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%

14% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 24 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ALL GASKETS & SEALS LEAK. NEEDS ABOUT A QUART OF OIL PER 15 MILES. BECAUSE OF OIL DRIPPING, CAR CATCHES ON FIRE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM, TOO EXPENSIVE!

NHTSA ODI report, 20050527

SEAT BELTS 11%

11% of complaints: seat belts — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FROM BURDINES HIALEAH PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SMOKING AND I PULLED INTO THE FIRST PARKING SPOT THAT I SAW. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, BUT THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND FINALLY THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030313

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1992 — complaint volume: 176
I 19960502 — PE (closed 19960930)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19960930 — EA (closed 19970415)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

R 19970331 — engine and engine cooling

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Campaign 97V019000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1992 Ford Tempo — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V019000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1985 ▲ 1986 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

◆ 1993 ◆ 1994 ● 1990

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1992 Ford Tempo reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Ford Tempo is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Tempo?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1992 Ford Tempo have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.