1992 Ford Tempo: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Ford Tempo: 2 recalls, 176 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V071000 · 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Why it matters: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #97V019000 · 1997 · 75,200 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 21 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (45): the most common themes are fire / smoke (5), stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (4).
- Electrical (43): the most common themes are fire / smoke (18), stalls / loses power (10), electrical failure (10).
- Seat belts (41): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
- Speed control / throttle (16): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (5).
The 1992 Ford Tempo has 176 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 11 Tempo model years for complaints (2.4× the average Tempo year). Complaints peaked in 1996 (45 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 101,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (110 complaints, 1 recalls), 1993 (227 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Ford Tempo.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1992 Ford Tempo have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1992 Ford Tempo. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1992 Ford Tempo problems?
Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (45), electrical (43), seat belts (41).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Ford Tempo get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1992 Ford Tempo repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.