MYRModel Year Report

1993 Ford Tempo

◆ Worse than typical
1993 Ford Tempo
BUILT 2026-09-02

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, 1993 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 30 complaints 1985 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 1993 1994: 163 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 1 complaints 2000: 1 complaints 2000
1993: 231 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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 31%

31% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 72 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

EXHAUST FUMES ENTER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING/IDLING OR AT TIMES WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, CAUSING HEADACHES/NAUSEA. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19941031

SEAT BELTS 27%

27% of complaints: seat belts — 63 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT UNWIND NOT PREVENTING OCCUPANT FROMT HITTING FROM INTERIOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950725

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE IGNITION.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030210

SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1993 — complaint volume: 231
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

1993 Ford Tempo — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (72 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (63 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (41 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

◆ 1992 ◆ 1994 ● 1990

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1993 Ford Tempo reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Ford Tempo is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Tempo?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1993 Ford Tempo have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.