1994 Ford Tempo Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 28%of 161 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,450miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1994 Ford Tempo, 28% of the 161 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,450 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“1994 Ford Tempo gl. My husband's car went up in flames and smoke yesterday while driving it, the fire department and police came and put it out. The car is a total loss, as well as the jacket my husband was (fortunately) wearing when the flames came shooting out from the engine area into the driver's seat. A friend of mine suggested that I check if others had this problem, and I came across this site. It looks like others have had this problem, if the NHTSA campaign 97v019000 is an indication of such. As far as I know, we were never notified that some Ford tempos were potential fire traps. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010944, filed 2003-03, 137,000 miles“While driving at 40 MPH the heating level went up. The consumer proceeded to the store to purchase antifreeze, noticed the vehicle smoking, the check engine light came on, the consumer got out of the vehicle, and the vehicle burst into flames. The vehicle was totaled. ...... In the time the consumer had the car, the temperature gauge never went pass normal until that day; the engine cooling fan would come on before the gauge went up passed normal.”
NHTSA complaint #10107181, filed 2005-01, 137,000 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“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 1997-08Related recalls
- 97V019000Feb 25, 1997These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The…Covers: Ford Tempo 1992–1994, Mercury Sable 1992–1995, Ford Taurus 1992–1995 +2 more
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 45 | 28% |
| 1993 | 61 | 27% |
| 1992 | 45 | 26% |
| 1991 | 31 | 28% |
| 1990 | 19 | 14% |
| 1989 | 26 | 21% |
| 1988 | 26 | 21% |
| 1987 | 14 | 26% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 7 | 23% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1994 Ford Tempo
36 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Ford Tempo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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