Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (15.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 1.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 28 · 15.9% | Recalled | Recall 97V019000 |
| Seat Belts | 21 · 11.9% | not available | — |
| Electrical System:ignition | 17 · 9.7% | Recalled | Recall 96V071000 |
| Electrical System:ignition:switch | 15 · 8.5% | Recalled | Recall 96V071000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 11 · 6.2% | Recalled | Recall 97V019000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 · 5.7% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 176 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 97V019000 · 1997 · reported 02/25/1997
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 96V071000 · 1996 · reported 04/25/1996
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ON THE FORD TEMPO IS DEFECTIVE. WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD THEY KNEW IT WAS A PROMBLEM, BUT…”NHTSA complaint 717148 — filed 01/10/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, BULLETIN 94M83 DENIED DUE TO TIME LIMIT. MJS”NHTSA complaint 548764 — filed 09/28/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, BULLETIN 94M83 DENIED DUE TO TIME LIMIT. MJS”NHTSA complaint 548764 — filed 09/28/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 28 of 176 NHTSA complaints (15.9%), followed by seat belts (21), electrical system:ignition (17), electrical system:ignition:switch (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
176 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 21 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 97V019000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
