1987 Ford Tempo Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 26%of 53 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1987 Ford Tempo, 26% of the 53 complaints for this model year. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle stalls intermittently without warning making braking and steering more difficult, the vehicle has been taken to the dealer on several occasions but the problem could not be solved, on one occasion the drive struck a utility pole and damaged the vehicle when the vehicle stalled while making a turn.”
NHTSA complaint #562913, filed 2001-09“While driving about 10-15 MPH vehicle stalled. The engine light came on after vehicle stalled out. Vehicle immediately started up. Owner states that the vehicle dies when coming to a stop, and when turning a corner. Owner has not contacted the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #816698, filed 1997-09“Vehicle stalls intermittently at any speed when engine is hot. Dealer has replaced numerous parts, including fuel pump. But it did not solve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #8017879, filed 2002-09“Filled up a quarter of a tank of 87 octane, soon after, vehicle struggled to idle/stalled. Subsequently, filled up with gas at another station and vehicle ran better. Had to add gas for treatment for vehicle to run normally.”
NHTSA complaint #520825, filed 1997-09“Owner states while driving vehicle it started to stall. When owner pulled over on the side of the highway vehicle then caught on fire. It took only 15min for the whole vehicle to burn down.”
NHTSA complaint #810870, filed 1997-04Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 45 | 28% |
| 1993 | 61 | 27% |
| 1992 | 45 | 26% |
| 1991 | 31 | 28% |
| 1990 | 19 | 14% |
| 1989 | 26 | 21% |
| 1988 | 26 | 21% |
| 1987 | 14 | 26% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 7 | 23% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1987 Ford Tempo
28 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (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 28, 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