Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1987 Ford Tempo, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system28
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Fuel system, gasoline6
- Steering5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Power train3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Visibility1
- Seat belts1
- Structure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1987 Ford Tempo.
| 1989099 13 Jul 1989 | Emissions THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE CENTRAL FUEL INJECTOR (CFI) MAY OPERATE RICH DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. … |
| 1987047 6 May 1987 | Suspension BECAUSE OF THE FRICTIONAL HEAT GENERATED BY THE HIGH SPEED LUG NUT INSTALLATION PROCESS, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STAINLESS STEEL NUTS TO GALL AND POSSIBLY … |
| 1987009 28 Jan 1987 | Other NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 2.3 LITRE E.F.I. ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.115 - VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. - ENGINE TYPE (8TH POSITION) … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1987 Ford Tempo: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 612203 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS |
| 6090087 | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
| 6089681 | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT |
| 608431 | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT |
| 604059 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC |
| 601343 | A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC |
| 601312 | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 601012 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC |
| 53660 | VEHICLES EXHIBITING A "SQUEAKING" OR "CHIRPING" FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS. *YC |
| 51990 | BLOWER MOTOR- "CHIRPING" OR "SQUEAKING" FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *JD |
| 51945 | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 51735 | REAR ENGINE MOUNT CONCERNS. *TW |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50908 | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
| 46478 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PART OF THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM, IT COULD CAUSE RUBBER PARTS TO SWELL IF LUBRICANT CONTACTS THE RUBBER MATERIAL. |
| 41025 | A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW |
| 39900 | ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW |
| 39717 | WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT - UPGRADED SERVICE KITS. *TW |
| 39237 | REVISED WIPER MOTOR. *TW |
| 37800 | NEW REVISED CLUTCH SEALS TO CORRECT A NO REVERSE IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation