1993 Ford Tempo Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the motorized automatic shoulder belts, which can come off their tracks or stop retracting, and with engine stalling that owners frequently link to hot weather and longer drives. Many reports also describe a recurring crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) problem and an ignition switch that can short internally; several complaints say repairs were declined because the vehicle was out of warranty.

1. 1
   Seat belts

   Automatic shoulder belts off track or not retracting

   • 52 complaints (23%)
   • typically at 5.8 yrs old
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe the motorized shoulder belt getting stuck mid-track, running the motor without moving the belt, or failing to retract or lock. Several say the lap belt still works but the shoulder portion does not restrain the occupant, and some mention belts that would not release from the buckle or a belt that pulled tight against the driver. Complaints describe dealers stating the tracks or retractor needed replacement and that the work would be at the owner's cost because the warranty had expired. Mileage is not given in most of these reports; they cluster around vehicles more than five years old, and some owners note the problem worsened with repeated door use.

   What to check: With the door open and closed, watch the shoulder belt motor run and confirm the belt follows the track and locks in the driving position; check both sides and the rear buckles. Ask whether the tracks or retractors have ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driver / passenger motor safety belts are off track and cause a loud unnecessary noise. Belt stays stuck in the middle of track, and motor continues to run on, leaving occupants without any restraints. Dealer notified,and informed consumer that vehicle was out of its warranty. Nothing could be done,unless cost goes to consumer.”

   NHTSA complaint #870081, filed 2000-09

   “The driver's & passenger's side shoulder belt motor is inoperative. The belts are off the tracts. Would not protect occupant. Can hear the motor running even though the belts have not retracted. They are usable but not locked in. Will be taking to dealer to have them checked.”

   NHTSA complaint #840919, filed 1999-06
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls, often in hot weather or after long drives

   • 49 complaints (22%)
   • median 86,500 mi at 14.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners report the engine cutting out at traffic lights, at highway speed, or after 30 to 60 minutes of driving, sometimes with the check engine and battery lights appearing first. Many say it happens mainly in hot weather or summer and that the car restarts after sitting 2 to 30 minutes. Complaints mention the ignition module (TFI) and the fuel pump relay among the parts replaced, and several say dealers could not duplicate the problem. Mileage is not stated in most reports; owners describe it as intermittent, worse in hot weather and on longer runs, with one report at about 95,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition module and fuel pump relay have been replaced, and note any history of stalling. A test drive long enough to reach full operating temperature, ideally on a warm day, is worth doing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have the following intermittent problem with my car since last february: within the first few miles of driving, the car shuts down. It starts up again after anywhere from one minute to two minutes. After I go about 3 miles without it happening, it won't shut down again. Also, sometimes when I turn the car off to run in the store, and when I try to start it when I come out, it won't start. Then after about 1 to 2 minutes it starts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #707268, filed 1999-06

   “Car cuts off while I'm driving. This only happens in daytime when weather is very hot. I have to let the car sit about 20-30 minutes before it will start again. No problems at night, or early morning when it's cool.”

   NHTSA complaint #747534, filed 2001-06
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) noise or failure

   • 14 complaints (6%)
   • median 137,582 mi at 10.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe a rattling or knocking noise from the front of the engine at low speed, or the crankshaft pulley stopping or coming apart. Some mention that the pulley had been replaced under a past campaign and failed again later, and a few say the manufacturer told them their vehicle was not covered because of where it was originally sold or registered. Reported from slow-speed driving onward; one complaint gives about 137,000 miles at the time of failure, and others say the noise appeared years after an earlier pulley repair.

   Recall 97V019000

   What to check: Listen for a knock or squeal from the front of the engine at idle and low speed, and inspect the pulley for wobble. Ask whether the pulley was ever replaced and keep in mind that a past campaign may not have applied to every vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1993 Ford Tempo, the crankshaft pulley stoped spinning.I found a recall on the internet for my car,and the same problem.I contacted Ford motor co. And they told me that my car came from a different location so the recall does not pertain to me.apparently there is a problem with the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10007603, filed 2003-02, 137,582 miles

   “Seatbelt (all) motor doesn't run and backseat stick, power locks only work when it warm, drivers side door doesn't work at all. Camshaft pulley was recalled and supposedly fixed, just after warranty ran out it broke again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #541772, filed 1998-09
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch short or no-start condition

   • 11 complaints (5%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 11.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2009

   Owners report the engine not turning over, power dropping out, or electrical sparking when the key is moved slightly in the ignition, and one report describes a dashboard-area fire attributed to the ignition switch. Others mention a switch replaced once that failed again, and owners of vehicles not covered by the ignition switch recall say they were told repairs were their responsibility. Mileage ranges widely in these reports, from about 22,000 miles to over 95,000, with no clear pattern in age or conditions.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Run the ignition key through its positions, checking that starting, accessory and run all feel firm and that no dash lights flicker. Ask whether the ignition switch has been replaced and confirm recall status for the specific vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ignition switch experienced an internal short circuit which resulted in vehicle not starting. Recall 96v071000 was issued, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10071441, filed 2004-04, 22,400 miles

   “The contact owns a 1993 Ford Tempo. The engine would not turn over, but when the key was slightly turned in the ignition, something electrical in the vehicle would start. When the contact changes the key slightly in the ignition, he loses all power and can hear an electrical spark as if it is attempting to make a connection. The vehicle goes from having no power to power, depending on the sparking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three different occasions for this failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10232531, filed 2008-06, 40,000 miles

Buying note. Given the age of these vehicles, condition and service records matter more than any single fault: confirm the shoulder belts work and inspect the crankshaft pulley, ignition switch and braking before buying. Repair history for the stalling complaint is worth asking about, since it is the issue owners most often describe as recurring.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.