1985 Ford Tempo Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Ford Tempo (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1985 Ford Tempo. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling (7) and steering (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the module filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system13 43%
- Engine cooling7 23%
- Steering4 13%
- Fuel system3 10%
- Air bags2 6.7%
- Suspension2 6.7%
- Tires2 6.7%
- Other or unknown1 3.3%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The car dies at any time, anywhere, my mechanic says it is a faulty module. I am in great danger of the safety of my child and myself. Something must be done on this vehicle, as I have been stalled numerous times on the railroad tracks. Please do something about the recall of this module.”
NHTSA complaint #734929, filed 2000-10Fuel system: “This car was given to me by my sister (original owner) after only 31000 miles. The fuel injection system, all sensors, ignition module, throttle solenoid/sensor, and clutch have gone out without warning, usually when starting the car. I now have a car with another blown clutch, throttle/idle solenoid and main computer problems. I've put over $2,000 in repairs and still have a car that I now can't afford to fix any more. Uppon contacting Ford regarding the problems, they denied any problems except for a rear axel part in some {not mine} models. Is there any recourse? …”
NHTSA complaint #722311, filed 2000-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,000 and 72,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Ford Tempo version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tempo FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Tempo FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Tempo FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 26 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Tempo FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Tempo FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Tempo FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Tempo FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 31 | 39 | 34 | $2,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 85V145000Nov 5, 1985Suspension › RearCovers: Ford Tempo 1984–1985, Mercury Topaz 1984–1985
Rear supension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture causing the rear spindle to separate during use of car. Consequence of defect: if bolts fracture and rear spindle disengages from control arm, loss of control will be…
- 85V134000Oct 22, 1985Electrical system › Ignition › ModuleCovers: Ford Tempo 1985, Mercury Topaz 1985
The unexpected open throttle causes an increase in engine speed which could result in loss of control of the car and a potential crash. Consequence of defect: the electronic engine control processor may experience an intermittent timing problem. This problem…
- 85V086000Jul 3, 1985Suspension › RearCovers: Ford Tempo 1984–1985, Mercury Topaz 1984–1985
Rear suspension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture during use of car. Consequence of defect: if bolts fracture, rear spindle could disengage from control arm and possibly result in loss of control.
Recall details for the 1985 Ford Tempo → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE96005Rear brk adjuster failureClosed · Jan 19, 1996
- DP96002Rear brake system failureClosed · Jan 11, 1996
- EA91052Seat belt separationClosed · Nov 27, 1991
- PE88034Halfshaft failureClosed · Mar 18, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Ford Tempo.
Other model years of the Ford Tempo
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 161 | 99,900 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 227 | 78,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 176 | 101,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 110 | 67,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 133 | 81,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 124 | 99,100 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 126 | 34,790 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 53 | — | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 31 | 90,280 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 30 | 72,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 14 | 70,651 | 6 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Tempo model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Ford Tempo have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1985 Ford Tempo as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Ford Tempo is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 7.
Has the 1985 Ford Tempo been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Ford Tempo get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Ford Tempo (Tempo, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1985 Ford Tempo reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,000 miles and the middle half falls between 72,000 and 72,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.