Model Year Problem Record

Ford Tempo 1988 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1988 Ford Tempo: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

126Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

5Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

47Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Electrical System55

Engine32

Seat Belts18

Brakes11

Fuel and Propulsion System11

Lighting8

Power Train6

Tires5

Vehicle Speed Control5

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System55 complaints

55 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V071000.

Engine32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control5 complaints

5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 88V024000.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

88V024000Reported March 1, 1988 - 91,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on March 1, 1988. The campaign covers an estimated 91,000 vehicles across all affected models.

96V071000Reported April 25, 1996 - 7,900,000 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on April 25, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 7,900,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP96002Opened January 11, 1996 - Closed January 19, 1996

REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA90008Opened December 27, 1989 - Closed December 31, 1991

FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA90042Opened August 31, 1990 - Closed December 31, 1991

THROTTLE STICKING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA91052Opened November 27, 1991 - Closed November 24, 1992

SEAT BELT SEPARATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE96005Opened January 19, 1996 - Closed May 28, 1996

REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199519

199644

199711

19987

199914

20009

200110

20024

20034

20041

20052

20151

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.