1992 Ford Tempo
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Ford Tempo is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
1992 Ford Tempo at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1992 Ford Tempo recalls 2
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…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1992 Ford Tempo common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 244 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1992 Ford Tempo MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1992 Ford Tempo costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1992 Ford Tempo — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES Closed
NHTSA #EA96024 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Sep 1996 · closed Apr 1997ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES Closed
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES. FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
NHTSA #PE96033 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened May 1996 · closed Sep 1996An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 57
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 57.
LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
Bulletin 02176 · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2002BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB
Bulletin 01181 · Power Train · Sep 2001SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001ON SOME VEHICLES, ENGINE OIL MAY CONTINUE TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AREA AFTER AN ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *TT
Bulletin 01124 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2001INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999SERVICE TIP INFORMATION ON REVISED OIL PAN GASKET REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT
Bulletin 99183 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TEMPO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1992 Ford Tempo. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Transport Canada #1995212 · Nov 1995Electrical
NOTE: 1992-94 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 3.0 LITRE ENGINES; 1994-95 TAURUS/SABLE (EXCEPT SHO) WITH 3.0 LITRE ENGINES; 1992-93 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES; 1992-94 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY BECOME FROZEN IN PLACE BY SNOW, ICE OR SLUSH. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE COOLING FAN IS ACTIVATED, EITHER AUTOMATICALLY TO REDUCE COOLANT TEMPERATURE OR WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS…
Transport Canada #1995202 · Nov 1995Engine
EXTENDED HIGHWAY OPERATION DURING VERY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (-20 DEGREES CENTIGRADE OR BELOW) MAY RESULT IN ICE FORMING IN THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CRANKCASE MAY BECOME PRESSURIZED, WHICH COULD FORCE OIL OUT OF THE ENGINE. IF THE OIL IS FORCED PAST THE ROCKER COVER GASKET, IT COULD CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH POTENTIALLY C…
Transport Canada #1995197 · Nov 1995Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSSS. 208 - seat belt installations. The french language version of the air bag maintenance/information/instruction label was not installed. Note: for taurus models only police and sho vehicles are affected. Correction: French language labels will be mailed to affected owners.
Transport Canada #1992123 · Sep 1992Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Tempo
The Ford Tempo is a compact car that was manufactured by Ford from the 1984 to 1994 model years. The successor of the Ford Fairmont, the Tempo is the fourth generation of compact cars sold by Ford in North America, marking both its downsizing and adoption of front-wheel drive. Through its entire production, the Tempo was sold as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan; Lincoln-Mercury marketed the model line as its Mercury Topaz divisional counterpart.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
