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1993 Ford Tempo Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 1993 Ford Tempo, and owners have filed 227 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
227
owner complaints to NHTSA
16 / 5
complaints citing a crash / fire
19–24
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 1993 Ford Tempo

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 97V019000 Reported 75,200 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0l engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3l engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8l engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0l…

    Remedy: Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.

  2. Ignition (electrical system)

    NHTSA 96V071000 Reported 7,900,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

227 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1993 Ford Tempo have filed 227 complaints with NHTSA; 16 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 25 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 87,283 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 37 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford tempo. While driving approximately 35 to 40 MPH on normal road conditions; the vehicle stalled without warning. The engine restarted and resumed operation; however, it”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 15, 2009 · Electrical system

“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford tempo. The engine would not turn over, but when the key was slightly turned in the ignition, something electrical in the vehicle would start. When the contact changes t”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 27, 2008 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1993 Ford Tempo. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19–24 mpg
City / Highway18–21 / 22–30
FuelRegular
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.3/3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 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 yearRecallsComplaints
1981 Ford Tempo02
1984 Ford Tempo614
1985 Ford Tempo330
1986 Ford Tempo031
1987 Ford Tempo153
1988 Ford Tempo2126
1989 Ford Tempo1124
1990 Ford Tempo1133
1991 Ford Tempo1110
1992 Ford Tempo2176
1993 Ford Tempo2227
1994 Ford Tempo1161
1995 Ford Tempo03
1996 Ford Tempo02
1997 Ford Tempo02
1998 Ford Tempo01
1999 Ford Tempo01
2000 Ford Tempo01

Checking a specific 1993 Ford Tempo

How do I know if my 1993 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 1993 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 96V071000).

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

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.