1985 Ford Tempo Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1985 Ford Tempo, and owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1985 Ford Tempo
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension: rear
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.
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Electrical system: module
The unexpected open throttle causes an increase in engine speed which could result in loss of control of the car and a potential crash. Consequence of defect: the electronic engine control processor may experience an intermittent timing problem. This problem causes improper execution engine performance which may maintain or cause a…
Remedy: Replace electronic engine control processor, if necessary.
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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.
Remedy: Replace rear suspension bolts as necessary.
30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1985 Ford Tempo have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 72,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“My 1985 ford tempo gl has 3 recalls and ford says it doesn't. VIN# [xxx] 1.ECU defective throttle remains partially opened oem # 85v134000, 2.back tire rear control arm spindle bolt oem # 85v086000, 3”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 9, 2011 · Fuel system, gasoline
“No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 20, 2002 · Suspension
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1985 Ford Tempo. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 22–34 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 19–31 / 26–39 |
| Fuel | Diesel, Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Ford Tempo model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Tempo model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 Ford Tempo | 0 | 2 |
| 1984 Ford Tempo | 6 | 14 |
| 1985 Ford Tempo | 3 | 30 |
| 1986 Ford Tempo | 0 | 31 |
| 1987 Ford Tempo | 1 | 53 |
| 1988 Ford Tempo | 2 | 126 |
| 1989 Ford Tempo | 1 | 124 |
| 1990 Ford Tempo | 1 | 133 |
| 1991 Ford Tempo | 1 | 110 |
| 1992 Ford Tempo | 2 | 176 |
| 1993 Ford Tempo | 2 | 227 |
| 1994 Ford Tempo | 1 | 161 |
| 1995 Ford Tempo | 0 | 3 |
| 1996 Ford Tempo | 0 | 2 |
| 1997 Ford Tempo | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 Ford Tempo | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 Ford Tempo | 0 | 1 |
| 2000 Ford Tempo | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1985 Ford Tempo
How do I know if my 1985 Ford Tempo has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1985 Ford Tempo; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 85V086000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.