1994 Ford Tempo Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year center on two things: engines that quit, often after the car has warmed up or in hot weather, and the motorized automatic shoulder belts that jam, tighten on their own, or stop moving. Many reports also describe fuel tanks rusting through along the top seam and leaking, which owners commonly notice first as a gasoline smell.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or shuts off, often when hot

   • 26 complaints (16%)
   • median 91,397 mi at 12.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at any speed, sometimes at idle in traffic and sometimes on the highway, with the check engine light coming on. Several say the car restarts only after cooling for 15 minutes to two hours, and some connect it to hot or humid weather. Complaints describe repeated dealer visits and parts replacement without a lasting fix, and one notes a fuel pump overheating. Reports span a wide mileage range, with failures noted from around 75,000 to 137,000 miles, and several owners link stalling to hot weather or stop-and-go traffic.

   What to check: Drive the car long enough to reach full operating temperature, including idling in traffic, and ask whether stalling has been diagnosed or repaired. Check whether the fuel pump and ignition module have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had multiple problems with the vehicle stalling. At a stop, the vehicle's idle speed varies and starts to shake and will stall if I don't put the car in neutral. Sometimes it has stalled even after putting it in neutral. I have recently had a tune-up and my gas filter replaced, with no results.”

   NHTSA complaint #10065642, filed 2004-04, 82,895 miles

   “When the weather is hot my 94 Tempo stalls and will not start until it cools down. It will start and run until the engine get hot again. I understand that you were investigating this problem but dropped the investigation. Please resume your research. I am a college student trying to drive 65 miles to school each day and I feel this is a safety hazard as well as an inconvience.”

   NHTSA complaint #707333, filed 1999-06
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Automatic shoulder belt jams or tightens on its own

   • 24 complaints (15%)
   • typically at 5.3 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   The motorized shoulder belts on these cars are a frequent subject: owners report the belt track sticking in one position so the belt cannot be moved, belts that climb and pull at the neck, and belts that tighten against the occupant while driving and have to be cut free. Others describe belts that do not retract or do not restrain in a collision. Complaints mention that the dealer repaired the track under warranty in some cases and declined out-of-warranty work in others. Reports come at a wide range of ages and mileages, from cars still under warranty to vehicles well past it.

   What to check: With the door open and closed, watch the driver and passenger shoulder belt tracks move through their full travel, and pull each belt to check it locks and retracts. Ask whether either track has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both driver and passenger restraint systems had a major faliure after the warranty expired. It is take weeks to get part to have them repaired at my expense. I am fortunate not to have had problems with these systems non-functional.”

   NHTSA complaint #701497, filed 1998-12

   “We believe that the failure of a seat belt, including motorized restraint systems, should be fully supported by mandatory factory warrantees paid for by the manufacturer. Ford motor company has refused repeated attempts to get reimbursement for the replacement of a motorized should belt restraint system. Subsequently, we brought this complaint to the attention of senator john mccain, who recommended that we contact the national highway traffic and safety administration. …”

   NHTSA complaint #763819, filed 2002-07
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank rusts through and leaks

   • 16 complaints (10%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 17.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2010

   Owners report holes rusting through the upper area of the fuel tank, with fuel seeping or spilling and a strong gasoline smell entering the cabin. Some describe the leak reaching hot exhaust parts and worry about fire, and one notes the gauge did not register the loss. Complaints describe dealers replacing the tank, and in one case the replacement rusting as well; another says a dealer called the fuel smell normal. Reported from roughly 75,000 miles upward, typically on older cars in states where road salt and condensation promote rust.

   What to check: Smell around the filler neck and under the rear of the car after fueling, and inspect the top and seams of the tank from below for rust or damp spots. Ask whether the tank has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A hole in the top of the gas tank spills out of the tank while driving causing fumes to enter cabin of vehicle resulting in driver feeling ill. The vehicles muffler frame experienced some rusting from the spillage. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #550514, filed 2000-01

   “Hole due to rusted out tank, which could have caused a fire, also bar and brace on driver side which goes to the wheel near the gas tank rusted and needs replacing,.”

   NHTSA complaint #531221, filed 1998-02
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Crankshaft pulley noise or failure

   • 6 complaints (4%)
   • typically at 4.9 yrs old
   • filed 1997–1999

   Owners describe a loud banging, tapping, or metal-on-metal noise from the front of the engine that mechanics traced to the crankshaft or harmonic balancer pulley. Complaints say the pulley was replaced, in at least one case more than once, and one reports an oil leak appearing after the repair. The noise is usually noted at startup or while driving. Reports appear on older, higher-mileage cars; the sample gives no consistent mileage figure.

   What to check: Listen at cold start for rattling or knocking from the belt area, and check the pulley and belt for wobble. Ask whether the pulley or harmonic balancer has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Crankshaft:pulley vehicle makes a loud noise like metal rubbing against metal. Had vehicle repaired, but this is not the first time this has happened. Consumer said the listed name and addres is mine but I have never owned this vehicle nor have I ever had any knowledge of it before.”

   NHTSA complaint #815601, filed 1997-08

   “Owner heard a noise in the engine. When vehicle was taken to the dealership, dealer stated that there was a problem with the pulley. The pulley was replaced. After the pulley was replaced the vehicle started leaking oil. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #847069, filed 1999-09
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal low or brakes pulsating

   • 5 complaints (3%)
   • typically at 3.3 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor and longer stopping distances, with the master cylinder replaced in one case. Others describe pulsation and shaking through the pedal when braking and grinding or scraping from the rear brakes, with the brakes replaced more than once. Some complaints pair unexpected acceleration with brakes that did not stop the car. Brake complaints in the sample range from very low mileage replacement to older cars; mileage is often not stated.

   What to check: Press the pedal firmly with the engine running and hold it to see whether it sinks, and test-stop from speed to feel for pulsation or grinding. Ask for brake service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer was in parking lot driving about 2 MPH when vehicle accelerated, engine revved. Consumer applied brakes, but vehicle continued. Vehicle struck a pedestrian, a tree, and was then stopped by a pole. One person was injured in accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #883041, filed 2001-03

   “While driving and unpon depressing brake pedal, pedal traveled to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer has called the dealer , dealer has replaced master cylinder .”

   NHTSA complaint #816815, filed 1997-10

Buying note. On a car this old, condition matters more than the model's reputation: check the fuel tank for rust and smell, work the automatic shoulder belts through their full travel, and drive it long enough to get hot before deciding. Service records showing cooling system, fuel pump and brake work are worth asking for.

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.