1981 Ford Tempo problems

Common 1981 Ford Tempo problems

The Ford Tempo, produced from 1984 to 1994, was a compact car designed to replace the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. While the Tempo was praised for its aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, it was not without its share of problems. Here are some of the common issues reported by Ford Tempo owners:

1. Powertrain Issues: The Tempo's powertrain was a frequent source of complaints. The engines, both the 2.3-liter four-cylinder and the 3.0-liter V6, were criticized for their lack of power and refinement. The three-speed automatic transmission, in particular, was singled out for being outdated and strangling the car's performance. A five-speed manual transmission was available, but it was not as popular.
2. Reliability and Quality Concerns: The Tempo was criticized for its build quality and reliability. Many owners reported various issues, including electrical problems, suspension issues, and interior trim failures. The Tempo's reputation for reliability suffered, leading to the infamous acronym "FORD" (Fix Or Repair Daily).
3. Handling and Ride Comfort: The Tempo's handling was generally praised, but some owners reported issues with its ride comfort. The car was criticized for being jiggly and tippy, which made it less enjoyable to drive, especially on long trips.
4. Insurance Costs: The cost of insurance for the Tempo was a significant factor for young buyers. The car was one of the least expensive vehicles to insure, which made it an attractive option for first-time buyers.
5. Design and Style: The Tempo's design was generally well-received, with some critics praising its sophisticated and stylish appearance. However, others felt that the car's design was not as exciting as some of its competitors.
6. Performance: The Tempo was not known for its performance. The car's engines were criticized for their lack of power and refinement, and the transmission was singled out for being outdated and strangling the car's performance.

In conclusion, the Ford Tempo was a compact car that was designed to replace the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. While the Tempo was praised for its aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, it was not without its share of problems. The car's powertrain, reliability, and quality concerns, handling and ride comfort, insurance costs, design and style, and performance were all areas where the Tempo fell short of some of its competitors.

Why did Ford discontinue the Tempo?

End of production

By 1993 Ford had been losing money on the Tempo for a decade. While the Tempo had long been a loss leader for Ford, the incoming Contour was based on the Mondeo, one of the most expensive cars in Ford's European lineup.

When was the Ford Tempo discontinued?

May 20th 1994

Farewell to Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz | May 20th 1994 | Today in Ford Motor Company History. On May 20th, 1994, a significant chapter in automotive history came to a close as the final Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz models rolled off the production line at the Kansas City Ford Assembly Plant.

What was the Mercury version of the Ford Tempo?

Along with transitioning to front-wheel drive, the Tempo marked significant downsizing over its predecessor. Mercury marketed the model line under the Mercury Topaz nameplate (no Lincoln version was sold).

How much horsepower does a 1985 Ford Tempo have?

Specifications for Ford Tempo 2-door 2.0 D Manual, 53hp, 1985.

Why did Ford discontinue the Tempo?

End of production

By 1993 Ford had been losing money on the Tempo for a decade. While the Tempo had long been a loss leader for Ford, the incoming Contour was based on the Mondeo, one of the most expensive cars in Ford's European lineup.

When was the Ford Tempo discontinued?

May 20th 1994

Farewell to Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz | May 20th 1994 | Today in Ford Motor Company History. On May 20th, 1994, a significant chapter in automotive history came to a close as the final Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz models rolled off the production line at the Kansas City Ford Assembly Plant.

How much horsepower does a 1985 Ford Tempo have?

Specifications for Ford Tempo 2-door 2.0 D Manual, 53hp, 1985.

Is the Ford Taurus still in production?

Seeing the writing on the wall, Ford decided to discontinue the Taurus, along with several other sedan models including the Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion. The end of the Taurus era reflected a broader industry trend of declining sedan sales and increased dominance of SUVs and trucks in the American automotive market.

1981 Ford Tempo car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Tempo problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Electrical system problems
• Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Ford Tempo vehicle components and the number of complaints received.