1990 Ford Tempo Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 133 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Ford Tempo, 3% of the 133 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55 miles. 1 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.
“1.) rough idle, and oil light intermittently comes on when idling and only goes off when accelerating, but often stalls out, and doesn't want to re-start. (had oil changed twice to get excess gas out of it from trying to start it.) had to tow car three times. Paid $1,000 to try to get it fixed, but on the way home it did the same thing. 2.) cooling fan quit working and car overheated and I paid to have the radiator replaced, as petcock was leaking. Mechanic didn't notice that fan wasn't working, so it overheated on the way home with a new radiator. I figured that out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010168, filed 2003-03, 55 miles“While driving about 20 MPH engine stalled without prior warning while making a left turn, and was side crashed by another vehicle from the upcoming traffic. Currently, problem was coming back. 2 transmissions have been replaced on this vehicle. Vehicle experiencing an oil leak.”
NHTSA complaint #874099, filed 2000-10Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 21 | 9% |
| 1992 | 12 | 7% |
| 1991 | 3 | 3% |
| 1990 | 4 | 3% |
| 1989 | 5 | 4% |
| 1988 | 5 | 4% |
| 1987 | 3 | 6% |
| 1986 | 3 | 10% |
| 1985 | 2 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1990 Ford Tempo
46 complaintsSeat belts
28 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsExterior lighting
6 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