VehicleVerdict

1985 Ford Tempo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1985 Ford Tempo sits mid-pack among Tempo years: 40 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 40, with 4 recalls and 7 closed investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 13 reports (33% of the total).

40

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

7

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Tempo years?

Tempo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted316 complaints1981: 2 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 19 complaints1985: 40 complaints1986: 42 complaints1987: 79 complaints1988: 176 complaints1989: 168 complaints1990: 174 complaints1991: 143 complaints1992: 264 complaints1993: 316 complaints1994: 212 complaints1995: 6 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints
Tempo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tempo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Ford Tempo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1333%
Engine718%
Steering410%
Fuel System38%
Tires & Wheels38%
Speed Control38%
Transmission25%
Suspension25%
Airbags25%
Other13%

Does the 1985 Ford Tempo have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

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.

85V145000SuspensionNovember 5, 1985 · 227,027 units

Defect

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.

85V134000Electrical SystemOctober 22, 1985 · 3,988 units

Defect

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 PARTIALLY OPEN THROTTLE.

Remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR, IF NECESSARY.

85V086000SuspensionJuly 3, 1985 · 226,729 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITON SWITCH. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE WHOLE DASH WAS BURNED UP. *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 11, 1994 · fire

“ENGINE WILL NOT START AT TIMES UNLESS YOU PUMP THE GAS PEDAL VERY HARD AND FAST DOESN'T DO THIS AT ALL TIMES ON OCCASIONALLY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE BROKE DUE TO CHAFFING AGAINST FRAME DUE TO DESIGN LOCATION, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

“THIS CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY SISTER (ORIGINAL OWNER) AFTER ONLY 31000 MILES. THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ALL SENSORS, IGNITION MODULE, THROTTLE SOLENOID/SENSOR, AND CLUTCH HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. I NOW HAVE A CAR WITH ANOTHER BLOWN CLUTCH, THROTTLE/IDLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 1, 1999

“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.FUEL PUMP OEM # 07E064000.WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 10, 2010

1985 Ford Tempo — common questions

Is the 1985 Ford Tempo reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tempo: 40 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 7 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1985 Tempo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (13 complaints), engine (7 complaints), steering (4 complaints).

Does the 1985 Ford Tempo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Ford Tempo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Ford Tempo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Tempo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tempo years to avoid are 1993, 1992, 1994, 1988, 1990, 1989, 1991, 1987. The cleanest record among Tempo years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.