VehicleVerdict

1993 Ford Tempo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 316 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.9 times the median Tempo year — the 1993 model ranks #1 of 19 Tempo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 31 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (73), seat belts (64), and electrical system (41), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

316

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

31

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Tempo years?

Tempo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tempo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Ford Tempo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7323%
Seat Belts6420%
Electrical System4113%
Brakes299%
Transmission217%
Fuel System155%
Speed Control124%
Tires & Wheels103%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Other72%
Steering72%
Body & Structure72%
Airbags72%
Suspension41%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks41%
Lighting31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1993 Ford Tempo have recalls?

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

97V019000EngineFebruary 25, 1997 · 75,200 units

Defect

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 ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

96V071000Electrical SystemApril 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“RECALL 97VO19000; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND NOTICED SMOKE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. STOPPED AND PULLED UP THE HOOD AND IT WAS ON FIRE . CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 3, 1999 · fire

“CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED & ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNING, HIT LEFT FRONT & REAR OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. IN CRASH, DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT BECAME INOPERATIVE & USELESS.ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. HOWEVER, COULD HEAR MOTOR RUNNING. ONLY LAP BELT COULD BE USED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · crash

“THERE IS APPARENT FIRE DAMAGE UNDER THE DASH AND HAS CAUSED ELETRICAL PROBLEMS WITHIN THE CAR. THERE IS SMOKE ALSO VISIBLE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 3, 1996 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 40MPH DOWNHILL, APPLIED BRAKES AND THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKE RESPONSE, HIT A TRUCK, FRONTAL IMPACT. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 12, 1998 · crash

“FAN MOTOR OVER HEATS, MAKES A SOUND LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS SHORTING OUT AND SMOKES. HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. WE HAVE HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTIONS SYTEM AND THE BATTERY. THE CAR SHOCKS YOU EVEYTIME YOU TOUCH IT. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS SKIPPING GEARS WHEN YOU TURN ALSO. WE ARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 1, 2000

1993 Ford Tempo — common questions

Is the 1993 Ford Tempo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 316 complaints put the 1993 model at #1 of 19 Tempo years. It is one of the Tempo years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Tempo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (73 complaints), seat belts (64 complaints), electrical system (41 complaints).

Does the 1993 Ford Tempo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Ford Tempo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Ford Tempo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.