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1994 Ford Tempo problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Ford Tempo is engine and cooling. It has 53.3 times the complaints of a typical Tempo model year.

Typical year53.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
160
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
63
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19-24mpg

The worst 1994 Ford Tempo problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Ford Tempo

Stalling 22Won't start 7No deployment 5Ball joint 5Fire or smoke 5Seat belt 5

Recalls 1

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported February 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles affected
What is 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 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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 97V019000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1994 Ford Tempo

Defect investigations

Engine cooling fan firesOpened September 30, 1996, closed April 15, 1997

There is no summary currently available

EA96024

Engine cooling fan firesOpened May 2, 1996, closed September 30, 1996

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.

PE96033

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Ford Tempo 63

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 63 bulletins for the 1994 Ford Tempo

1994 Ford Tempo fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylFWD19-2125-3021-24
3.0L 6‑cylFWD1822-2619-21

What 1994 Ford Tempo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 12, 2010 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford tempo. The contact stated that the fuel tank in routed out and caused fuel to leak. The contact noticed the fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that smell of fuel was normal. The contact stated that the fuel leaked whenever the fuel tank was full and onto hot exhaust pipes. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2008 · Visibility · ID

The wipers on my 94 ford tempo stop intermittently, then start a few seconds later. This is dangerous in heavy rain.

Filed Mar 5, 2008 · Engine · 99,900 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford tempo. While driving 35 MPH, the engine stalled and the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle restarted after ten minutes. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer. The failure mileage was 99,900 and current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jan 11, 2005 · Engine · 137,000 miles · MA · fire

While driving at 40 MPH the heating level went up. The consumer proceeded to the store to purchase antifreeze, noticed the vehicle smoking, the check engine light came on, the consumer got out of the vehicle, and the vehicle burst into flames. The vehicle was totaled.*ak......*ak in the time the consumer had the car, the temperature gauge never went pass normal until that day; the engine cooling fan would come on before the gauge went up passed normal.

Filed Apr 6, 2004 · Engine · 82,895 miles · MN

I have had multiple problems with the vehicle stalling. At a stop, the vehicle's idle speed varies and starts to shake and will stall if I don't put the car in neutral. Sometimes it has stalled even after putting it in neutral. I have recently had a tune-up and my gas filter replaced, with no results.

Filed Mar 21, 2004 · Suspension · WA

Because of an extremely poor design the r. R. Control arm rusts through totally on the 1994 ford tempo. I believe this is caused by a poorly placed exhaust release perforation, designed into the muffler by the manufacturer. My control arm failed at 15 MPH. I was advised by the mechanics that fixed it ($300 plus later) that a failure at highway speed would have been catastrophic for anyone in the vehicle at the time. I was also advised this is a common problem. I contacted ford months ago about this problem, they denied it was one.

Filed Mar 24, 2003 · Engine · 137,000 miles · PA · fire

1994 ford tempo gl. My husband's car went up in flames and smoke yesterday while driving it, the fire department and police came and put it out. The car is a total loss, as well as the jacket my husband was (fortunately) wearing when the flames came shooting out from the engine area into the driver's seat. A friend of mine suggested that I check if others had this problem, and I came across this site. It looks like others have had this problem, if the federal safety agency campaign 97v019000 is an indication of such. As far as I know, we were never notified that some ford tempos were potential fire traps. My husband could have been severely burned, but fortunately, his jacket took the brunt of the flames.

Filed Mar 16, 2003 · Engine · CA

"service engine soon" light goes on while driving, sometimes going off after a few minutes and sometimes staying on for 20-40 miles. Several people have looked up the codes and can't find a problem. This has been happening for more than a year. I do not have an owner's manual and cannot locate one online, so troubleshooting is extremely difficult.

Filed Jan 13, 2003 · Engine · TX

Due to fumes emitting from muffler both of the left rear suspension bars corroded which caused them to drop. Consumer was traveling at a low rate of speed. Consumer stated that either the muffler was mounted backward or had a design flaw. The muffler drain hole is on top.

Filed Oct 16, 2002 · Seat belts · VA

My stepdaughter was driving. The electronic seatbelt tightened while driving and could not be released. She had difficulty moving her foot to shift the break pedal or movement of any type. The belt was locked and she was pinned to the seat while driving. It was choking her, also. When she was able to stop the car, she tried to open the door to release the seat belt, this only made it tighten more, she managed to remove a small nail knife from her purse to cut herself loose. Had the car been involved in an accident with fire or water she would have burned up or drowned from a seatbelt. Or hung herself. Mr

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Compare the 1994 Ford Tempo

Other model years

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Questions about the 1994 Ford Tempo

Is the 1994 Ford Tempo reliable?

Owners have filed 160 complaints about the 1994 Ford Tempo, 53.3 times a typical Tempo model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Ford Tempo?

Engine and cooling, with 44 complaints. Next is seat belts (36).

How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Tempo have?

1 recall, covering engine and engine cooling.

Was there a recall on the 1994 Ford Tempo engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 97V019000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Tempo have bad engine?

The Ford Tempo model years with the most engine complaints are 1993 (61 complaints), 1992 (45 complaints) and 1994 (44 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1994 Ford Tempo get?

Official estimates for the 1994 Ford Tempo range from 19 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 25-30 highway.

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