Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Junk Ford as always - 1990 Ford Tempo
  By Tab - September 10 - 8:44 pm

  We bought this used for a second car, w/ 87k on it for $300, maybe too much. Slow, did make it good in the snow though, ugly all around. Transmission went at 90k, who would have thought, it is a Ford.

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  Wanting to trade it - 1994 Ford Tempo
  By Medic - September 7 - 9:12 am

  I got it from my parents who got it off my grandparents, in my opinion a great little grandma/grandpa car where you dont drive it a ton. Things I fixed in the last two years: tie rods, struts, brakes, valve cover gasket, fuel pump (long story there) headlight switch, oil pan leaks, head gasket leaks. In all honesty it was an ok car (it drove the Alaska highway round trip and spent a few years up there) it did leave me stranded multiple times before anyone figured out it was the fuel pump, which shook my confidence in it, lots of little things on the blink, the headlight switch keeps leaving all the lights on even after replacing it. 144k mi, time for a trade and a little Peace of mind.

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  Avoid - 1994 Ford Tempo
  By Dave - December 8 - 10:36 pm

  This car is trouble. Ive replaced 4 tie rod ends within a year and a half and three ball joints within the last three months. It had a run-in with a hit-and-run driver and I had to replace the grille and headlight area. This car was designed by a moron: it took an hour to replace the grille (compared with 10 minutes for my 92 Buick Skylark). Inside its OK. Fuel: I got about 26 mpg when the tires were aligned and the ball joints and tie rods were OK and it wasnt burning through mass air flow sensors. Dont save the money or the gas. Also, the drivers side seatbelt stopped moving on its track and had to be replaced. In short, dont get this car.

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  Commuter car - 1994 Ford Tempo
  By Serega - May 22 - 5:38 pm

  Hi all. I bought this car with 140K on it two years ago. What can I say - if you expect this car to be a lot of fun then dont buy it. The only advantage of this car is its price. Dont hope for high mpg - it consumes gasoline in large amounts. 3 speed automatic is paired nicely with a low-end torque 4 cylinder engine. Probably this is the reason why the transmission survives that long. The car overall is quite reliable if maintained properly. So, my conclusion is: if you need a bit just a mean of transportation from A to B and you never drive at high speeds - then this is a car for you. Otherwise, steer clear away it.

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  I HATE THIS CAR - 1994 Ford Tempo
  By fed-up - August 4 - 2:00 am

  this car has been in the shop more times than i can count. a very slight rear-end incident left the bumper cracked and scratched. it takes me at least 3 tries to start it every morning.

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  American engineering at its worst!! - 1991 Ford Tempo
  By Kyle Brautigan - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is horrible.We decided to buy the all wheel drive version. We tried to use it in winter and I noticed it did not work well. We took it to the dealership and after about 2 years of ownership we found the a.w.d wasnt even working. It was the main reason I purchased the car. The car has stalled numerous times, has broken down and been needed repaired about weekly. It never starts on winter mornings and the drivers seat is broken and slouches back to one side. Poor quality across the board. I will find it difficult to buy a Ford again after this car. YIKES!!

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  This Car Catches on Fire!!! - 1991 Ford Tempo
  By Serafima - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 91 tempo for about 9 months, and just the other day, it burst into flames on the highway. It turns out, in 1996, Ford had a recall on several of their models that were built with a malfunctioning ignition swtich between the years 1988 and 1993. If you buy the car, make sure you get the free installation of the new ignition switch, otherwise, prepare to back up traffic while you watch your poor little car die in its own bonfire. Enjoy your new tempo!

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  It Sucks - 1994 Ford Tempo
  By pilotgirl21 - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Problems, problems, problems...had the transmission replaced right when the car was purchased used around 60,000 miles and same problem has come up again at 123,000 miles. Tie rods have been replaced many many times. Engine races in idle. Wont start when its cold outside. Takes 3 or 4 times to start the car on a regular day. Dont purchace!!!

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  Good first car - 1993 Ford Tempo
  By CAC - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car and it was my first car. It looked nice and handled well. About 3 years ago, the clear coating over the paint started to peel away and now the car looks horrible. Ive noticed that many other Fords have the same problem. I contacted Ford but they deny any problems with the paint. The car was working well for me until about 3 years ago. Now, on an annual basis Im putting about $1,500 and I think its time to look for a new vehicle...it is 11 years old after all. Its been generally reliable but I dont trust it on the interstate...sounds like a sick dog once I take it over 55 MPH.

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  Dead at 122k - 1993 Ford Tempo
  By msuennen - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Although I have tried to maintain this vehicle as directed, it has cost $1500 to $3000 each year I have owned it in repairs. And now it is dead for good. Good riddance to the Tempo.