Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1990 Ford Tempo problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 174 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Tempo year — the 1990 model ranks #5 of 19 Tempo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 53 reports (31% of the total).
174
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
3
Investigations
21
Crash-involved
32
Fires reported
15
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1990 compare to other Tempo years?
What are the most common 1990 Ford Tempo problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 53 | 30% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 30 | 17% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 23 | 13% | — flat |
| Engine | 20 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 13 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 6 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 5 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 5 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1% | new |
| Airbags | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
Does the 1990 Ford Tempo have recalls?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Consequence
INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy
REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. HORN WAS BLARING & OWNER LOOKED OUT WINDOW & NOTICED VEHICLE IN FLAMES. WAS TOLD FIRE OCCURRED NEAR IGNITION SWITCH AREA. CALLED DEALER & INFORMED UNDER RECALL (#96V071000). WILL REPAIR IGNITION SWITCH & WIRING HARNESS ONLY & NOTHING ELSE. OWNER NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE.…”
“UPON IMPACT, DURING REAR END COLLISION WHILE STOPPED, REAR LAP BELT BUCKLE DISENGAGED, ALSO FRONT PASSENGER LAP BELT STICKS WHEN PRESS RELEASE BUTTON. TT”
“WHILE AT A STOP SIGN ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED ALONG SIDE OF CONSUMER AND STATED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT. CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING 40MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, ENGINE STALLED, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP RESULTING IN A COLLISION, WHICH TOTALED VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT VEHICLE SHUT OFF 4 TIMES, DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, PLUGS/WIRES, AND STARTER BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE…”
“CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER AND VEHICLE STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS.ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH STEERING. CONSUMER INDICATED TIRES WERE STUCK IN TURNING POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
1990 Ford Tempo — common questions
Is the 1990 Ford Tempo reliable?
NHTSA data argues against it: 174 complaints put the 1990 model at #5 of 19 Tempo years. It is one of the Tempo years to avoid.
What are the most common 1990 Tempo problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (53 complaints), seat belts (30 complaints), brakes (23 complaints).
Does the 1990 Ford Tempo have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Ford Tempo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1990 Ford Tempo under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 3 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.