Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Seat Belts — runs 5.8× the fleet median for that category across the 345 model-years tracked on this site.
227Complaints
2Recalls
16Crashes
5Fires
25Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Seat Belts (16.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Seat Belts complaints here are 5.8× the median for that category across the 345 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Seat Belts
38 · 16.7%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
26 · 11.5%
Recalled
Recall 97V019000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
26 · 11.5%
Recalled
Recall 97V019000
Electrical System:ignition
18 · 7.9%
Recalled
Recall 96V071000
Power Train:automatic Transmission
14 · 6.2%
not available
—
Seat Belts:front:retractor
9 · 4%
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR8 · 3.5%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE8 · 3.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7 · 3.1%
Percentages are the share of the 227 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.
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
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 itPark 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.
What owners report
“THE DRIVER'S & PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT MOTOR IS INOPERATIVE. THE BELTS ARE OFF THE TRACTS. WOULD NOT PROTECT OCCUPANT. CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING…”NHTSA complaint 840919 — filed 06/23/1999 · SEAT BELTS
“AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES DO NOT MOVE ON THE RAIL. THE BELST ARE IN THE FORWARD POSITION. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER ARE…”NHTSA complaint 837722 — filed 05/11/1999 · SEAT BELTS
“MOTOR ON SEAT BELT CHEWED UP RETRACTOR AND BELT LOCKED UP IN FORWARD POSITION.”NHTSA complaint 543233 — filed 01/06/1999 · SEAT BELTS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Tempo?
Seat belts issues are the most-reported category, cited in 38 of 227 NHTSA complaints (16.7%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (26), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (26), electrical system:ignition (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1993 Ford Tempo have?
227 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1993 Ford Tempo have any recalls?
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.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1993 Ford Tempo's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
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.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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