VehicleVerdict

1987 Ford Tempo electrical system problems

The 1987 Ford Tempo has 35 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 44% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

35

Electrical System complaints

44%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Tempo electrical system complaints by model year59 complaints1981: 1 complaints1984: 13 complaints1985: 13 complaints1986: 18 complaints1987: 35 complaints1988: 59 complaints1989: 37 complaints1990: 53 complaints1991: 27 complaints1992: 49 complaints1993: 41 complaints1994: 22 complaints1995: 1 complaints1998: 1 complaints
Tempo electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE, STEERING COLUMN SMOKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING COLUMN AND DASHBOARD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1987 Ford Tempo have?

NHTSA has 35 complaints about the 1987 Ford Tempo electrical system — 44% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.