MYRModel Year Report

Ford Tempo — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Caution3 years

Best bets3 years

Complaint history

1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1981 1983: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 30 complaints, Recommended 1986: 31 complaints, Recommended 1987: 53 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 129 complaints, Recommended 1989: 126 complaints, Recommended 1990: 135 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 116 complaints, Recommended 1992: 177 complaints, Caution 1993: 231 complaints, Caution 1993 1994: 163 complaints, Caution 1995: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1996: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1996 1997: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1999: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1999 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1993 · 231
1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1981 1983: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1983 1984: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 30 complaints, Recommended 1985 1986: 31 complaints, Recommended 1987: 53 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 129 complaints, Recommended 1989: 126 complaints, Recommended 1989 1990: 135 complaints, Recommended 1991: 116 complaints, Recommended 1991 1992: 177 complaints, Caution 1993: 231 complaints, Caution 1993 1994: 163 complaints, Caution 1995: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1995 1996: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1997: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1997 1998: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1999: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1999 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1993 · 231
1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1981 1982 1983: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1983 1984: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 30 complaints, Recommended 1985 1986: 31 complaints, Recommended 1986 1987: 53 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 129 complaints, Recommended 1988 1989: 126 complaints, Recommended 1989 1990: 135 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 116 complaints, Recommended 1991 1992: 177 complaints, Caution 1992 1993: 231 complaints, Caution 1993 1994: 163 complaints, Caution 1994 1995: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1995 1996: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1996 1997: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1997 1998: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1998 1999: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1999 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2000 1993 · 231
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2000 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1999 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1998 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1996 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1995 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1994 ◆ Caution 163 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 ◆ Caution 231 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1992 ◆ Caution 177 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1991 ● Recommended 116 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1990 ● Recommended 135 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1989 ● Recommended 126 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1988 ● Recommended 129 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1987 ▲ Recommended 53 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1986 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1985 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1984 ○ Not enough data 14 Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1981 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

13

recalls on file across every Ford Tempo model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Ford models