1990 Ford Tempo Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 133 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1990 Ford Tempo, 5% of the 133 complaints for this model year.
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.
“Light lenses have turned from clear to white and no longer focus the beam ahead, light lenes are made from plastic, suspect that uv protection provided on outside surface to protect plastic from sunlight and not also to the inside surface to protect light from uv rays given off by quartz bulbs. This problem was also on an 85 Tempo and seems to be on many other cars. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #759910, filed 2002-03“The front headlights barely provide enough light to drive at night. The glass is very foggy and moisture seems to collect in them. I have had the bulbs replaced but this does not help to light the roadways. Can Ford fix this problem? Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #733651, filed 2000-10“The plastic headlights have become clouded cutting down significantly on the amount of light that passes through. Have noticed this on a lot of cars. Whatever happened to sealed beam headlights? Aren't there headlight lens transparency standards?”
NHTSA complaint #707880, filed 1999-06“While at a stop sign another driver pulled along side of consumer and stated that brake lights were out. Consumer pressed brake pedal, and pedal went to the floor. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #6900627, filed 2001-12Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1990 Ford Tempo
46 complaintsSeat belts
28 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Ford Tempo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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