Defect
REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF…
Remedy
REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
1985 Ford Tempo Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1985 Ford Tempo has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 457,744 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
THE UNEXPECTED OPEN THROTTLE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND A POTENTIAL CRASH. CONSEQUENCE OF…
Remedy
REPLACE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR, IF NECESSARY.
Defect
REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE, REAR SPINDLE COULD DISENGAGE FROM CONTROL ARM AND…
Remedy
REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Total complaints40
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“My 1985 ford tempo gl has 3 recalls and ford says it doesn't. Vin# [xxx] 1.ecu defective throttle remains partially opened oem # 85v134000, 2.back tire rear control arm spindle bolt oem # 85v086000, 3.fuel pump oem # 07e064000.where do I go from here? *tr”
“My 1985 ford tempo gl has 3 recalls and ford says it doesn't. Vin# [xxx] 1.ecu defective throttle remains partially opened oem # 85v134000, 2.back tire rear control arm spindle bolt oem # 85v086000, 3.fuel pump oem # 07e064000.where do I go from here? *tr”
“My 1985 ford tempo gl has 3 recalls and ford says it doesn't. Vin# [xxx] 1.ecu defective throttle remains partially opened oem # 85v134000, 2.back tire rear control arm spindle bolt oem # 85v086000, 3.fuel pump oem # 07e064000.where do I go from here? *tr”
“My 1985 ford tempo gl has 3 recalls and ford says it doesn't. Vin# [xxx] 1.ecu defective throttle remains partially opened oem # 85v134000, 2.back tire rear control arm spindle bolt oem # 85v086000, 3.fuel pump oem # 07e064000.where do I go from here? *tr”
“Oil leaks from intake manifold.”
“The car dies at any time, anywhere, my mechanic says it is a faulty module. I am in great danger of the safety of my child and myself. Something must be done on this vehicle, as I have been stalled numerous times on the railroad tracks. Please do something about the recall of this module.*ak”
“Goodyear viva tire (1) flattened on highway entry ramp , 3 tires failed due to belt slippage and were replaced but failed again (175x80x13). Nlm”
“Bridgestone tires p175 80 r13 don't have good traction around turns, slides, and makes squealing noises. *slc”
Defect investigations
Investigation DP96002 Opened 1996-01-11 · closed 1996-01-19
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
Investigation EA86010 Opened 1986-03-26 · closed 1989-07-28
SEATBACK FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND…
Investigation EA91052 Opened 1991-11-27 · closed 1992-11-24
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE87028 Opened 1987-05-01 · closed 1988-01-21
STALLING
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
Investigation PE88034 Opened 1988-03-18 · closed 1988-09-19
HALFSHAFT FAILURE
SUMMARY:THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH EITHER A 2.3 LITER4 CYLINDER ENGINE OR A 2.0 LITER DIESEL ENGINE.THE TRANSAXLE MAY BEEITHER A 5 SPEED MANUAL OR A 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.THEHALFSHAFT ASSEMBLIES ARE IDENTICAL FOR AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL USE, BUT THERIGHT INTERCONNECTING SHAFT ON A DIESEL EQUIPPED…
Investigation PE89118 Opened 1989-04-19 · closed 1989-09-06
SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION
===
Investigation PE96005 Opened 1996-01-19 · closed 1996-05-28
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Ford Tempo as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.