1989 Ford Tempo Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: electrical trouble in the steering-column area — ignition switch shorts, smoke and fires, and repeated alternator replacements — and engine stalling when the engine is warm or hot, often at stops. Owners filing these reports are frequently well past 70,000 miles, and many describe older vehicles where dealers declined repairs on age grounds.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch / steering-column electrical smoke and fire

   • 28 complaints (23%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 14.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Owners describe smoke coming from the steering column or under the dash, sometimes while starting the car or shortly after parking it, and in some cases flames in the column area. Several reports mention the ignition switch as the suspected source, and a few note the car was previously repaired under the ignition-switch recall. Some also describe repeated alternator failures and wiring harness shorts found by repair shops. Reported across a wide mileage and age range, with several cases in cold weather or shortly after the car was driven and parked.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 96V071000 (ignition switch) was performed and keep the receipt; inspect the steering column and under-dash wiring for scorching, melted connectors or a burnt smell, and have the charging system and alternator output checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since 2000, my 1989 Ford Tempo had broken down four times, twice in heavy traffic. Each time, I have been told the problem was with the alternator, and I had it replaced. Now, in april of 2003, the alternator is about to die yet again. My car has 99,000 miles and is driven less than 10,000 miles per year. Five alternators in three years is not from normal wear and tear on a car. I believe there is a defect in the Ford Tempo system that needs to be investigated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10013933, filed 2003-04, 99,000 miles

   “Recall on this vehicle (1989 Ford Tempo) was issued at 1996, but we never received any notification from manufacturer. Contacted manufacturer by phone on 12/20/1999. Manufacturer's customer representative told me that I will not receive any free remedy from this 1996 recall on my vehicle (1989 Ford Tempo) since the recall is closed and my vehicle is not under any warranty. Contacted NHTSA office by phone on 12/20/1999 and was given advise of filing safety complaint about this matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #716260, filed 1999-12
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls when warm or hot, then restarts after cooling

   • 20 complaints (16%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 14.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe the engine quitting at stop lights, stop signs or while slowing after a highway run, sometimes only when the engine is hot or in warm weather. Owners report the car often restarts immediately or after a cooling period, and that tune-ups, throttle-body cleaning, fuel-injector cleaning and ignition parts replacement did not resolve it. Some mechanics pointed to the ignition coil or switch, and dealers are described as unable to duplicate the stalling. Generally reported on higher-mileage cars, with many cases tied to warm weather or a hot engine after sustained driving.

   What to check: Drive the car long enough to reach full temperature and let it idle at a stop; ask whether the ignition coil, module and coolant fan operation have been checked, and whether the stalling occurs only when hot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After driving some distance, car will stall and fail to start until it cools down, especially in warm weather. Problem is ongoing and spasmodic. Restart after cooling down is always without any problem. Engine cooling system has been flushed, refilled and works perfectly.”

   NHTSA complaint #706838, filed 1999-05

   “After vehicle is operated at continuous high speeds (60mph) vehicle will stall when approaching a stop sign, red light etc. Vehicle will restart immediately, but will continue to stall at next stop. I consider this to be dangerous because following traffic is not expecting the stall, and getting through an intersection can be adventurous. Vehicle has had a major tuneup, (including wires rotor etc), throttle body cleaning, fuel injector cleaning but the problem persists. …”

   NHTSA complaint #731582, filed 2000-09
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Automatic seat belts fail to retract, release or stay

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 17.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2007

   Owners report the automatic shoulder belts failing to retract or track properly, belts that tighten on the occupant, and buckles that will not release — in a few cases the occupant had to be cut out. Others describe noisy belt motors and plastic belt supports that became brittle and broke on both front sides. Dealers are described as declining repairs because of vehicle age. Reported from roughly 70,000 miles upward, on cars well past their warranty years.

   What to check: With the ignition on, watch both front belts track fully open and closed, listen for motor noise, and test that each buckle latches and releases; check the plastic belt anchors for cracks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “- the contact stated that the seat belt support on the 1989 Ford Tempo had disengaged on driver's side and front passenger side. The contact took vehicle to dealer , and the dealer stated that they wouldn't be able to fix the vehicle under warranty because the vehicle was too old. Updated 2/22/2007 - the consumer feels that the seat belt support was made from an inferior plastic which became brittle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10179485, filed 2007-01, 72,000 miles

   “Driver/passenger seat belts failed to work properly. Sometimes belts would work when vehicle is started. When brakes applied, belts would go to original position. Bets also retract to original position while driving vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #831625, filed 1998-12
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights dim or blocked by water and corroded covers

   • 11 complaints (9%)
   • typically at 8.5 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe water building up inside the headlamp assemblies, corroded or opaque plastic covers that let little light through, and dim output while driving. Some owners report the bulb holder area melting and that dealers could not find or fix the moisture entry. Reported on older, higher-mileage cars, often noticed in wet or cold conditions.

   What to check: Inspect both headlamp housings for condensation, clouding, corrosion or melted sockets, and compare low-beam brightness and pattern on a dark wall or during a test drive at night.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, lights were very dim; vehicle's headlamp area got wet, had headlamp changed; light holder cell is melting; ca not keep light area from getting wet; been to dealership several times; dealer cannot find/fix problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #808006, filed 1997-01

   “Head covers attachment on the headlights cause less visibility without prior warning. Intermittently the light will appear to be normal. Failure is undetermined at this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10034424, filed 2003-08
5. 5
   Brakes

   Rear brakes drag or self-adjusters stop working

   • 14 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 7.6 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners report the rear self-adjusters becoming inoperative so only the front brakes do the work, giving long stopping distances and premature front wear, and some describe a caliper pin breaking and locking a wheel. Others mention brake work needed after the pedal felt ineffective, with repairs done at independent shops. Reported on older cars at varied mileage, typically after years of use.

   What to check: Ask for recent brake service records, check for uneven or excessive front pad wear relative to the rear, and have the rear adjusters and caliper hardware inspected on a lift.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Odometer reading is not registering miles, and speedometer is not reading MPH. Vehicle runs hot, electronic fan in cooling system does not operate properly. Also, extended stopping distance occurs when brakes are applied, and automatic lock on driver's side does not operate properly. Dealer contacted several times, and cannot remedy the problems incurred. Problems still exist. Provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #834793, filed 1999-02

Buying note. On a car this old, condition and service history matter more than the model itself: confirm the ignition-switch recall was completed, check the wiring and charging system, and test the car thoroughly when hot, including at stops. Have the brakes, belts and lighting inspected before purchase, since these are the areas owners most often describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.