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Electrical systemPart report

1987 Ford Tempo Electrical system Problems

Complaints
28about this part
Share
53%of 53 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1987 Ford Tempo, 53% of the 53 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 14 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The vehicle stalls without notice during several different scenarios and the braking and steering become difficult. The vehicle was taken to several different repair shops, including the local Ford dealership and although the stalling was eveident, no one coul;d clarify why and how to repair the problem. I am reproting this problem on behalf of my elderly mother, who has had this stalling problem since she purchased this used vehicle and has not been able to find anyone to successfully repair the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #751648, filed 2001-09

“I am financially obligated to past due bills; however I am trying to keep up with the car problems, I didn't know if there was any recall on this car! As mentioned I was given a fine of $50.00 for expired tags by about a week; I would have went to mva if given a warning for renewal! With all of the expenses in a car is there any way to get some work done without being indebted to a high priced mechanic? Economics should not play a part for safety of a car; should have ways to help economically disadvantaged. …”

NHTSA complaint #737185, filed 2000-12

“My car started acting up 1st by cutting out like it was going to die, the it would rev up,and then completely quit. Then when I tried to start it the tachometer would spin around backwards. After setting for a few hours it would start and maybe run fine for a few days. Then problem 2 happened. My horn started beeping for no reason and I had to take the fuse out. The car will not start at all now. We have changed the computer brain and that wasn't the problem. Sometimes when you shut the door the horn beeps with no fuse in the fuse box. …”

NHTSA complaint #706894, filed 1999-05

“Alternator rebuilt and bought from advance auto parts. This was the second alternator with problems, the first was taken back and this one the mechanic replaced and said that who does advance's rebuilding isn't that great. The time and money spent for their reject alternator's is unjust. The red light indicator stayed on until this new alternator was put in.”

NHTSA complaint #744823, filed 2001-05

“Car was parked and it caught on fire. Consumer states the switch apparently failed ,gas was pumped into engine compartment fumes made their way back into the passenger compartment, these fumes encountered the switch which must have been putting out a spark, the fire moved from the top right steering column to the right toward the outlet for the gas in the engine compartment, there was not enough combustible material in the engine compartment to sustain this fire, the fuel pump ran until the electricial system shorted between the fuel pump and the battery.”

NHTSA complaint #804284, filed 1996-10

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
19941912%
19933716%
19924324%
19912220%
19904635%
19893327%
19885040%
19872853%
19861548%
19851343%
19841179%

Other parts of the 1987 Ford Tempo

Engine cooling
14 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1987 Ford Tempo

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology