1988 Ford Tempo Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1988 Ford Tempo, and owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1988 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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Ignition (electrical system)
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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Vehicle speed control
Two attachment screws for the throttle position sensors could loosen and back out.
Remedy: Replace attachment screws with screws with pre applied adhesive that will be tightened to a higher torque specification.
126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1988 Ford Tempo have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 36 describe a fire. Reports cite 9 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 29,597 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 44 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Ack up.nmengine light comes on and motor dies. Starts right.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 21, 2015 · Engine
“Dt: the consumer stated she is having retraction problems with her seat belt. The seat belt is not retracting correctly from the lap belt, from the buckle to the door post. This is happening on the dr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 8, 2005 · Seat belts
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1988 Ford Tempo (Tempo AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–24 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–21 / 22–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 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 1988 Ford Tempo
How do I know if my 1988 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 1988 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 88V024000).
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.