1989 Ford Tempo Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1989 Ford Tempo, 6% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,200 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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 contact owns a 1989 Ford Tempo. When the vehicle was started, it suddenly accelerated to an unknown speed. The vehicle crashed through the garage wall and eventually stopped and shut off after a half mile. The vehicle was restarted and driven back to the garage. The windshield was damaged and the driver sustained scratches. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The current and failure mileages were 99,200.”
NHTSA complaint #10219949, filed 2008-03, 99,200 miles“The car accelerates when foot is on the brake. Its as if the cruise control was set when it wasn't. I have had this happen to me several times, and in transport of a year old child, and my mother is on oxygen, and wheel chair bound. I myself am disabled, and have no way to pay to have this problem fixed, or to sell this car. My automobile insurance has told me they will no longer insure my car, as this is a well known problem with this year of Ford. I called Ford, and they have told me that there will be no recall on this, that the car is 10years old, there will not be anything done by them. …”
NHTSA complaint #703407, filed 1999-02“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“Purchase car used had to replace the fuel pump three times and replaced motor mount one time and replaced the starter two times . Tt tfi replaced. Tp sensor replaced. Egr valve replaced. Inner tie rod end replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #973969, filed 1995-10Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 9 | 6% |
| 1993 | 11 | 5% |
| 1992 | 16 | 9% |
| 1991 | 8 | 7% |
| 1990 | 4 | 3% |
| 1989 | 8 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 3% |
| 1987 | 2 | 4% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford Tempo
33 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford Tempo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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