1990 Ford Tempo: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford Tempo: 1 recall, 133 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043001 · 1990 · 172,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 27 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (46): the most common themes are fire / smoke (19), electrical failure (16), stalls / loses power (11).
- Seat belts (28): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (20): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (5).
- Engine & cooling (19): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), fire / smoke (3).
The 1990 Ford Tempo has 133 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 11 Tempo model years for complaints (1.8× the average Tempo year). Complaints peaked in 1996 (47 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 81,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (110 complaints, 1 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 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | 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 1990 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.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford Tempo have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Ford Tempo, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 1990 Ford Tempo problems?
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (46), seat belts (28), brakes (hydraulic) (20).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Tempo get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 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.