Summary
The Ford Tempo has 7 recalls spanning the 1984-1994 production run, with the most serious being a 1984 model year defect where rear suspension control arm bolts can fracture and allow the rear spindle to separate from the suspension, causing sudden loss of vehicle control.
The 1985 model year has a faulty engine control processor that can hold the throttle partially open without warning, preventing the driver from controlling engine speed. On 1987 models, stainless steel lug nuts can seize onto wheel studs without properly clamping the wheel, which can cause the wheel studs to fracture and the wheel to separate from the vehicle. The 1989 model year has an engine issue specific to extended highway driving in extreme cold, where ice can block the crankcase ventilation system, pressurize the crankcase, and push oil out of the engine. Turning to the later production years, 1993 and 1994 models with 2.3-liter engines have fuel vapor hoses in the engine compartment that may be disconnected, causing those vehicles to fall outside evaporative emissions compliance. The 1990 model year, also on the 2.3-liter engine, has throttle position sensors that can wear prematurely, interrupt their signal, and trigger the malfunction indicator light.
