Ford Tempo Awd 1988

• Recall 31517 [USA]: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
  The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
  dealers will replace the ignition switch.
  system: electrical; ignition switch. Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles and light duty trucks. Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

• Recall 26700 [USA]: If both screws come out, sensors could disengage fromthe throttle shaft, preventing return of the throttle from mid position.
  Two attachment screws for the throttle position sensors could loosen and back out.
  replace attachment screws with screws with pre applied adhesive that will be tightened to a higher torque specification.
  system: throttlevehicle description: passenger cars with 2.3 liter engines.

• Recall 1995212 [Canada]: Electrical
  A short circuit could develop in the ignition switch that could lead to overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column of the vehicle. This condition may occur while the vehicle is in use or unattended. Correction: ignition switch will be replaced with a revised design switch.

• Recall 1988027 [Canada]: Engine
  The attachment screws for the throttle position sensor could loosen and back out allowing the throttle sensor to move away from the throttle shaft. A loose sensor could prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position which in turn could adversely affect vehicle control. Correction: attachment screws will be replaced using screws with pre-applied adhesive that will be tightened to a higher torque specification.

To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Rear brk adjuster failure investigation as of 19960119

  1984 - 1991 ford tempo/mercury topaz
  

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• Rear brake system failure investigation as of 19960111

  There is no summary currently available
  

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• Seat belt separation investigation as of 19911127

  There is no summary currently available
  

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• Throttle sticking investigation as of 19900831

  There is no summary currently available
  

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• Failed passive restraint investigation as of 19891227

  We have received numerous reports which allege a malfunction or failure of the passive restraint system.Additional reports allege that the passive restraint system failed to restrain/adequately protect the occupant during an accident
  

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Common OBD Error codes specific to this vehicle.

• P1857 [1] P1857

Ack up.Nmengine light comes on and motor dies. Starts right.

Consumer is requesting free repairs to 1988 ford tempo gl's transmission and motor.*mr *nm

Dt: the consumer stated she is having retraction problems with her seat belt. The seat belt is not retracting correctly from the lap belt, from the buckle to the door post. This is happening on the drivers side only. The seat belt is allowing too much webbing and not retracting all the way back into the holder on the door post. When the driver is applying brake pressure, the seat belt is not holding the driver securely and safely in the seat. The consumer stated the dealership where she bought the vehicle from has now gone out of business and she has not contacted the manufacturer of the vehicle. She has had this problem with the seat belt for about 6 months. Speed is not a factor with the seat belt failure. Even sitting still the seat belt is not working. *jb

While driving the vehicle stalled. *ak *nlm

Gasoline leaks on engine. *ak consumer noticed gasoline coming out of the vacuum hose that runs from the fuel pressure regulator to the vacuum fitting, consumer realized the regulator must be faulty. *slc

Nhtsa recall96v 071000/ manufacturer's recall 95s28 concerning ignition fai;ure. Consumer noticed from outside window that vehicle was on fire. Vehicle had been sitting i driveway for 30-45 minutes after being driven home. Vehicle had flames coming from under the hood. Consumer was confirming recall to be serviced. Please provide more information.*ak

Vehicle fails to operate in drive, but it does operate in reverse, cause unknown. Please give any further details.*ak

I was driving, wife in passenger seat with lap belt engaged. Upon stopping, lap belt would not release. Impossible for her to exit car because of automatic retractor installed on belt assembly. This is a mojor safety item and ford will not accept any responsibility. Had we been in an accidnet and car was buring, wife would have been burned to death. The only way i could get wife out of the car was to cut the belt and there wouldn't have been time to do this in a burning car! Even with the lap belt cut, i am still unable to release the buckle. The law requires that belts be used yet ford will not take responsibility for safe and normal operation of the lap belt that they installed in the vehicle. No previous indications of anything wrong with lap belt system on either side of vehicle.*ak

Was driving in town on 07/21/01 in the afternoon going home, when car started vibrating real badly, and wondered all over road. The tire in questioned is off the right front of a 1988 ford tempo. It is chewed up around the inside and also has "several soft spots" in the tire.*ak (dot number: w2rv tiresize: P18570r14)

The engine stalls while driving. Sometime it will restart just to stall again after a few miles. The ignition switch was replaced under a previous recall but the problem continues to persist. The electronic control unit was replace twice in the last 12 months. I believe there is a problem with the wiring/module that regulates the electrical pulses that fire the plugs. I will ask the dealer to research. Unfortuantely, this electrical problem seems to be very common on ford tempo's but none of the technical service bulletins address it. *ak

The lap belt on passenager side front will not stay clasped. Drivers shoulder strap (automatic) will not slide open. The motor can be heard inside, but will not move.

I shouldn't have to wait for an injury before ford fixes!. No safety defect listed in summary. *ak

Motionless ford in garage failed to start 8-21-00, repair shop installed ford module, saying that was chief probem. The trouble remained; engine stalled and throbbed indicating faulty ignition. A second repair shop installed a "coil" but trouble (throbbing and stalling) remains. $800 in repairs and the original trouble remains. Co-owner is wife pauline and repair bills are in her name.*ak

Ignition coil and module failed. Nlm

Seat belts malfunctioned. Automatic belts realeased & unreleased while driving. Consumer tried to find manuel to override . Took vehicle to dealer. Dealer found out that motor & track had to be replaced at consumer's expense. *ak

No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak

Transmission was rebuilt. Nlm

Car accelerated in reverse at high speed causing crash into a wall resulting in injury the driver. Yh

When turning ignition switch to the off position and turning it too far, when come back to the car, battery is dead.*ak

Brake line ruptured causing an accident, 2 people were injured. *slc

Possible fuel line failure/leakage causing vehicle fire. Mjs

Engine light continued to stay on

Smelled hot wire smell while driving on highway. Noticed 1 inch flame in left airvent which grew to 5 inches when stopped car. Unhooked battery, poured liquid over dashboard which was on fire, closed door, waited for firetruck. I think it started in headlight switch. Car totaled, most of dash burnt away.*ak

Vehicle experienced engine fire. (ohio traffic crash report). Mjs

Valve stems failed. Nlm

Exhaust manifold cracked for the second time . The original exhaust manifold was replaced in december of 1998. In january of 1999, the replacement used also cracked. Dealer has not been notified about this problem. Problem has not been corrected. *ak

A faulty alternator caused a fire in the vehicle. The alternator had been replaced 3 times due to overheating with a re-manufactured alternator. *ak *ml

Muffler failed. Nlm

While driving at any speed can hear a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle, and consumer has to keep foot on the brake and acceleator in order for the vehicle not to cut off. Also, vehicle is stalling and cutting off without any prior warning. *ak

Crack in exhaust manifold, causing leakage of fumes and noise

Alternator terminal and wiring harness failed.

Air bag. Driving approximately 45mph, approached an intersection, and went through with not enough time to brake. Hit the side of his car, air bag did not deploy, resulting in injuries. Vhicle was totaled. *ak

Vehicle was repaired under manufacturer's recall #95s28 on 11/6/97. Vehicle cut off. The owner does not think that the dealer replaced the ignition switch. The manufacturer will be notified. *ak

Electrical short in cooling fan motor caused wiring insulation to burn, resulting in destruction of main wire harness.

Driver's seat broke from the frame to the floor, causing the driver seat to move unexpectedly which may have resulted in loss of vehicle control. Dealer welded the seat to the floor. *ak

Rack and pinion failed. Nlm

When trying to pull out, vehicle will stall and sound like it is about to cut off. Also,driver side seat belt won't work properly. When driving the consumer can hear the motor running, but the seat belt goes over the consumer and locks right. *ak

Driving vehicle, acts like vapor locking; then vehicle would stopped running; took to dealer and he could not fix problem. Took to local mechanic, who informed consumer that it was fuel pump; had it fixed, but problem still exists; working on fifth (5) fuel pump. *ak

Motor mounts failed. Nlm

The engine cooling system failed (thermostat and water pump). Nlm

The first car in this document, seat belt warning lamp on.

When driving vehicle caught fire caused by a fuel line clip failure. *ak

Consumer smelled smoke after driving the automobile for about 2 hours. Stopped the vehicle and saw flames, firemen were called, no injuries,consumer got daughter out of automobile in time. *ak

Alternators have melted and failed on several occasions.

Electrical short in the ignition switch, causing the vehicle to catch fire in the steering column. *ak *jb

Fast idling, no decrease in pressure. Vehicle noisy and check engine light came on.*ak

Electrical short in the alternator cable, causing the cable to short out, replaced the alternator three times.*ak

While driving an indicator light came on/off. Turn signals stopped working then vehicle stalled in intersection. She got back in saw smoke then flames from underneath hood. *ak

On three occasions the alternator has burn out.*ak power connector on the alternator melted and the whole alternator and connector had to be replaced, consumer has been told this only affects the 65 amp alternator made in japan.*jb

Male plug on the back of the alternator burnt up. Plug is a part of the wiring harness. *ak

#pe 96-026, while driving a fire broke out in the alternator . *ak consumer states the fire started at the alternator connector, shooting flames, the results were engine compartment plastic catching fire and spitting burning plastic onto fuel lines which in turn punctured and sprayed fuel over engine compartment. *slc

Driver's side seat belt will not unbuckle. *ak

Drove to store, returned home, noticed brake light still on, checked underneath and bundle of wires was smoking, unplugged brake switch, wires overheated. *ak consumer had to disconnect the battery and repair wires they melted together, consumer was told that the switch wire had melted together causing a hot short.*jb

Car caught on fire in ignition switch. Car was totaled. *ak consumer states approximately 2 blocks from home consumer smelled smoke and then saw smoke coming up from the steering column, went approximately 100 to 125 feet stopped, heard a popping sound turned off key sat in vehicle for about 2 minutes nothing happened, consumer went to a home on the opposite side of street to call local ford garage, a few minutes later the neighbor informes consumer that smoke was coming out of door and went back to phone to inform garage that his vehicle was on fire the cause was the ignition shorted out in which there was an ignition switch recall according to dealer but consumer states he was never informed.*jb

Seat back collapsed. *sd

Headlamp lens surface weathered/corroded, causing poor lighting and inspection failure.

The wiring harness connected to the alnernator overheats and sometimes smoke is evident. This is a mitsibishi alternator, ford doesn't recognize problem . *ak after market manufacturer warned of fire hazard and supplied a new connector with replacement alternator- connector it melts even though alternator is functioning, even 8 wiring insulation becomes brittle or melts from heat, on one occasion repair shop discovered extensively smoking connector on the verge of flames while working on unrelated job, mechanic stated this is a common problem, local ford dealer denied any type of problems or complaints.*jb

Consumer parked, the car cut off and car started it up and hit a truck.*ak consumer states whenshe came out of store she could not find her vehicle, she states someone told her that vehicle started up went backwards made a u-turn, the back of consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle.*jb

The turning signal shorted out and caused a fir in the engine compartment.Please describe. *ak

Ignition switch shorted, causing fire. *dsh

Ignition switch fire. *sd

The vehicle caught on fire in the steering column near the igniton switch. Please describe. *ak

An electrical short in the ignition, caused the steering column to catch on fire. Please describe. *ak

When you apply force to the brakes the vehicle contineus to move. *ak

Ignition switch shorted, causing fire.

Ignition switch failed prior to recall.

Ignition switch shorted, causing fire. *dsh

The vehicle had fire due to the ignition switch and the car was built in canada. Please describe. *ak

While checking fuses underneath dash, driver accidentally hit power seat control, causing seat to move forward pinning him to firewall, causing injuries. *dsh

Rear brake drum rusted, causing failure of brake. *sd

While the vehicle is in drive the vehicle losses speed stalls, stop. Tt

The passenger seat belt retracting to tight . Tt

Driver's side female end belt buckle is broken. Will not lock together. Please describe details. *ak

Alternator in vehicle has failed five times, last time it failed it caused an engine compartment fire. Tt

Consumer was driving car caught on fire. Please describe .*ak

Vehicle fire.

Engine compartment fire, possible fuel line malfuction. Tt

I lost my 4-year old son in my car. It was parked, i don't know why he got in the car. We had just arrived at my mothers. No one can prove anything because the dash is so burnt and the steringwheel was in the floor. Although they found no traces of anything that could of started it other than faulty ignition switch. The car still sits and they want me to forget about it. Lawyers keep backing out after so far. Please help me. I have to know the truth and get what i deserve. No one can put a price on a lost child.

Emergency brake would not engage brake shoes. *sd

Vehicle stalls upon stopping at stop signs/traffic lights. *aw

Ignition switch fire prior to recall. *sd

Right rear tire locked because the brake blew apart. Tt

Oil pump failed, causing engine check light to come on. *ak

Alternator caught fire while driving (original equipment). Tt

Alternator failure keeps burning out voltage regulator 4 times. Tt

Motor mounts went once before, new ones are coming loose. Tt

Wiper motor failure, replaced three times. Tt

Ignition switch failed resulting in vehicle fire.

Drivers side seat. The latch which adjust the recline position of the seat broke. Leaving the seat at a reclining posistion. *ak

Ignition switch failed prior to recall notice, replaced with same defective switch.

Electrical wiring failure burned out regulator 4 times. Tt

The universal joint/driveshafts had to be replaced about three time. Tt

Air conditioner fails to blow cool air after repair attempts. (other vehicle on 489470) *skd

Steering column repaired.

Alternator replaced. *sd

Vehicle fire resulting in death and home distruction, due to the possibility of a faulty ignition switch.

Radiator fan mount failed.

Moisture penetrates the headlights reducing the visibility of headlights. Tt

Two outer axel boots failed. Nlm

Defective fuel pump causing vehicle to stall. Tt

The front and rear brakes faulty and replaced several times. Nlm

The speed sensor failed. Nlm

Seatbelt retractor does not retract. Tt

This vehicle has stalled on startup position in traffic since it was new and has continued to do so after numerous complaints to the dealer. This presents a safety hazard as cross traffic is not responsible to wait while we restart the vehicle. This is not due to driver error as it occurs with several different drivers.*ak

Vehicle experiencing continual overheating.

Left lift gate hinge failed causing fumes to seep into car and door not to close completely.

Engine stalls at stop lights. Mjs

Engine will quit suddenly and usually at speeds above 45 mph. I narrowly avoided an accident when the engine stalled because a truck was right behnd me. The truck was able to change lanes quick enough to avoid the accident. The engine failure has occured about 8 times since i have owned the car. I cannot determine the cause of the engine failure i.E. From either ignition failure or from fuel starvation from an unknown cause. In each case, the car would restart after a half hour wait. This represents a potential for a serious accident especially from a rear end collission hazard.*ak

After putting gas in the car with the windows rolled up there is an odor of gas inside the car. The odor is also there with the windows down while driving the car. It goes away after about 15 minuets of driving.*ak

Work done on engine before recall was known. Car not the same since. Total cost to me ,about 1500.00.*ak

Driver's automatic restraint belt was inoperative, experienced intermittent failure, won't go rearward on track.*ak

A malfunction of the lap seat belt, clasp is broken where it cannot be used. Please describe the problem

When driving at any speed vehicle stalled out and cut off without prior warning which caused a near accident. Consumer has contacted dealer. *ak

While driving vehicle for a high amount of time engine dies out when coming to a stop or even driving at high speeds. No one knows problem.*ak *slc

During vehicle collision seat belts failed.

Replaced alternator four times, also replaced wiring harness. *ak

Engine continually overheating.

Vehicle idle nice at a stop sign or red light, but when start out it would stall, no warning.

Engine stalls upon deceleration.

Headlamp lens cover lenses are fogging and aging.

Exhaust manifold cracked due to heat from the engine . *ak

Seat belt buckle driver seat buckle failed. Tt dealer charged to replace seat belt.*jb

At night the head lights are not bright enough . Tt

Plastic sleeve that supports female portion cracks. This causes belt to fall within seat not able to latch belts. Please describe details. Tt

While driving, on several occasions noticed smoke coming fron steering column, no fire. *ak

While driving, at approx. 15-20mph, eperienced failure of left and right rear brake adjusters, causing rear tires to lock up. *ak