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#BS-1984-FORTEM-48C21984 Ford TempoProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 19 owners and 7 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 19 complaints, 0 crashes, 7 fires, and 7 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.1x the class average.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
6 owners reported electrical system:ignition:switch issues — failures commonly reported around 71K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical System:ignition:switch (6 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1984 Ford Tempo: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical System:ignition:switch Issues
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints account for 32% of all reports filed for the 1984 Ford Tempo, with 6 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 70,651 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 71K-mile mark.
Electrical System:ignition Issues
Electrical System:ignition complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 1984 Ford Tempo, with 3 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:ignition-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 1984 Ford Tempo, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery Issues
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 1984 Ford Tempo, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1984 Ford Tempo. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (7 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE HEADLAMP AND INTERIOR ILLUMINATION CONTROL SWITCHES COULD OVERHEAT.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
SEATS
SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE, REAR SPINDLE COULD DISENGAGE FROM CONTROL ARM AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
+ 2 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (6)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SEATBACK FAILURE
SEATS
STEERING SYST. FAILURES
STEERING
STALLING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HALFSHAFT FAILURE
POWER TRAIN
+ 1 more in the full report
The worst model year for the Ford Tempo is the 1993 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
1984 Ford Tempo vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
19
Class avg
9
2.1x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical compact cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 19 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 7 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026.
Other Ford Tempo Model Years
View all Ford Tempo years →1984 Ford Tempo: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 1984 Ford Tempo Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 19 owner reports. Know before you buy.