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1985 Ford Tempo GL 2dr Coupe

The 1985 Ford Tempo GL 2dr Coupe is a 2.3-liter inline-4 coupe with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $7,956 MSRP and is rated at 25 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (25 mpg combined).

The Tempo measures 176.0 inches long on a 99.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,381 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$7,956 ($24,031 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.3L HSC I4, naturally aspirated
Displacement2.3 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City19 MPG
Highway29 MPG
Combined25 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent -- MacPherson strut, lower lateral link triangulated by the front anti-roll bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent "Quadralink" -- coil-over MacPherson strut, two parallel lower lateral control links, and a radius rod per side
Brakes
Front Brake Disc9.3 in (236 mm) vented disc
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front13 in
Wheels Rear13 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length176 in
Width68 in
Height52 in
Wheelbase99.9 in
Curb Weight2,381 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37 in
Headroom Rear37 in
Legroom Front41 in
Legroom Rear35 in
Shoulder Room Front53 in
Shoulder Room Rear54 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1985 Ford TEMPO. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 27, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

NHTSA campaign 07E064000

Nov 5, 1985 · SUSPENSION:REAR

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 DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE AND REAR SPINDLE DISENGAGES FROM CONTROL ARM, LOSS OF CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign 85V145000

Oct 22, 1985 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

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 DEFECT: THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT TIMING PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES IMPROPER EXECUTION ENGINE PERFORMANCE WHICH MAY MAINTAIN OR CAUSE A PARTIALLY OPEN THROTTLE.

Remedy: REPLACE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR, IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign 85V134000

Jul 3, 1985 · SUSPENSION:REAR

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 POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.

Remedy: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign 85V086000

30 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1985 Ford TEMPO

Owner Complaints

30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1985 Ford TEMPO (3 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System13
Engine And Engine Cooling5
Steering4
Fuel System3
Gasoline3
Vehicle Speed Control3
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 9, 2011 · Suspension, Fuel System, Gasoline, Power Train, Electrical System
“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…”
Dec 13, 2002 · Electrical System
“OIL LEAKS FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD.”
Mar 20, 2002 · Suspension
“NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK”
Nov 24, 2001 · Steering
“CAR STALLS WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY. *AK”
Feb 19, 2001 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“ENGINE WILL NOT START AT TIMES UNLESS YOU PUMP THE GAS PEDAL VERY HARD AND FAST DOESN'T DO THIS AT ALL TIMES ON OCCASIONALLY. *AK”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1985 FORD TEMPO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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