1984 Ford Tempo problems
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Common 1984 Ford Tempo problems
The Ford Tempo, produced in 1984, was a compact sedan intended to compete with European and Japanese imports. Despite its promising start with strong sales in its first year, the Tempo faced several issues that contributed to its eventual discontinuation.
One major problem reported by owners was stalling while driving. This could be due to various factors, such as fuel system issues, engine problems, or electrical faults. Stalling can be dangerous, especially at high speeds or in heavy traffic, and can lead to accidents.
Oil leaks were another common issue with the Ford Tempo. Oil leaks can result from worn-out gaskets, damaged seals, or cracked engine components. Not only do oil leaks create a mess under the car, but they can also lead to more severe engine problems if left unattended.
Vibrations were frequently mentioned by Tempo owners, which could indicate problems with the suspension, drivetrain, or wheels. Excessive vibrations can negatively impact the driving experience and may indicate underlying issues that require attention.
Fuel pumps were another source of frustration for Tempo owners, as they were prone to stalling. A malfunctioning fuel pump can lead to starting problems, stalling, or poor engine performance. Replacing a faulty fuel pump can be costly and time-consuming, adding to the overall inconvenience and expense of owning a Tempo.
The engine, fuel system, wheels, cooling system, and transmission were identified as the components that broke down most frequently in the Ford Tempo. These widespread issues suggest that the Tempo was not as reliable as its competitors, which could have contributed to its poor reputation and eventual discontinuation.
In summary, the Ford Tempo faced several common problems, including stalling, oil leaks, vibrations, and fuel pump failures. These issues, combined with the car's mediocre performance and design, led to its discontinuation and a poor reputation among car enthusiasts and owners.
Why did Ford stop making 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.
What was the last year of the Ford Tempo?
1994
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 Ford motor to stay away from?
The 5.4-liter Triton engine is a member of Ford's Modular V8 engine family, introduced in 1997. The three-valve version produced from 2002 to 2008 is the most problematic and one of the most unreliable Ford engines. Although it produced decent power (295-390 hp), the engine had several glitches.
What was Mercury's version of the Ford Tempo?
So the cars gotten new skins. And a few mechanical tweaks. But is the new car different enough to change its reputation as one of Ford's. Least exciting models. While certainly not BMWs the 88 tempo
Why did Ford stop making 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.
What was the last year of the Ford Tempo?
1994
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.
What is the Mercury equivalent to the Ford Tempo?
Just like the 1983 thunderbird the 1984 tempo had headlamps which were not exactly aerodynamic as composite headlamps were not yet the standard feature that they would soon become on all cars.
1984 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
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Seat belts problems
- Seats problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Ford Tempo vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1984 Ford Tempo complaints
The NHTSA has received 19 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1984 Ford Tempo.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FABP22R9EK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CLASS ACTION FOR FORD TFI MODULE IN FORD TEMPO. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT TFI MODULE, HOWEVER HE WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR AND TOWING BECAUSE THE COST WAS NOT LISTED ON THE INVOICE, BUT IT WAS ON THE PREVIOUS INVOICE WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN THE NEXT DAY. *JB *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: FABD22R2EK2
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, VARIOUS PARTS REPLACED BUT DID NOT RECTIFY SITUATION, POSSIBLY THE TFI MODULE. *CJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TFI MODULE. *SLC
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-15
- VIN: 1FABP21H6EK
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: SEATBACK REST COLLAPSED, FELL ONTO BACK SEAT ONE IN FOUR FAILURES, CAUSED BY RIGHT SIDE ATTACHEMENT FAILURE THAT HOLDS UP SEAT BACK; ACCORDING TO DEALER, ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED REPLACING; REPLACED, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-01
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRICAL FIRE, SUSPECTED TO HAVE STARTED WITH IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1990-10-31
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1988-04-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FABP22RXEK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-05
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2FABP22R4EB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WK. 703-356-2050, STARTED THE VEHICLE TURN IGNITION ON, VEHICLE CUT OFF, SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, ENGINE COMPARTMENT/UNDER THE DASH. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-10-01
- VIN: 2FABP18R6EB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DISTRIBUTOR FAILED TWICE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-09
- VIN: 2FABP22R6EB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BATTERY FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-09
- VIN: 2FABP22R6EB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FAILURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-09
- VIN: 2FABP22R6EB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: COOLING FAN FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-09
- VIN: 2FABP22R6EB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION COIL FAILURE.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-06-01
- VIN: 2FABP22R6EB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *TW
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-08
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. (2ND VEHICLE ON 486028) *AW
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-21
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAPS ARE DEFECTIVE. TT
1984 Ford Tempo recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the 1984 Ford Tempo.
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
- Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE FORWARD BOLT THAT PROVIDES PART OF THE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS BOLT BREAKS, THE DRIVER AND SEAT BACK WILL FALL BACK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE SCREWS THAT ATTACH DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY TO THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE AND REAR SPINDLE DISENGAGES FROM CONTROL ARM, LOSS OF CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: 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.
- Remedy: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: 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".
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE HEADLAMP AND INTERIOR ILLUMINATION CONTROL SWITCHES COULD OVERHEAT.
- Remedy: THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED AND FUSE AND FUSE PANEL WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SAFE OPERATION.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1984 Ford Tempo problems:
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Other years of Ford Tempo
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