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1987 Ford Tempo GL 4dr Sedan

All Ford Tempo trims (1984–1987) → All Ford Tempo generations →
1987 Ford Tempo – exterior Unverified
Photo: 1st Ford Tempo sedan by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the first generation (1984–1987); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 1st Ford Tempo sedan by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Ford Tempo -- 10-31-2009 by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: Ford Tempo (14918941774) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: Early Ford Tempo by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: Ford Tempo rear (14919514953) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1987 Ford Tempo GL 4dr Sedan is a 2.3-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $8,708 MSRP and is rated at 23 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (23 mpg combined).

The Tempo measures 176.0 inches long on a 99.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,516 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$8,708 ($24,913 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.3L HSC I4, naturally aspirated
Displacement2.3 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined23 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 Front14 in
Wheels Rear14 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length176 in
Width68 in
Height52 in
Wheelbase99.9 in
Curb Weight2,516 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37 in
Headroom Rear36 in
Legroom Front41 in
Legroom Rear36 in
Shoulder Room Front53 in
Shoulder Room Rear53 in
Hip Room Front48 in
Hip Room Rear48 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

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Rivals to the 1987 Ford Tempo GL 4dr Sedan with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

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Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1987 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

Apr 27, 1987 · WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.

Consequence: WHEEL STUDS COULD FRACTURE CREATING A RISK OF A WHEELSEPARATING WITH LITTLE FOREWARNING.

Remedy: REPLACE WHEEL LUG NUTS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE WHEELS AND WHEEL STUDS.

NHTSA campaign 87V060000

53 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1987 Ford TEMPO

Owner Complaints

53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Ford TEMPO (2 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System27
Engine And Engine Cooling12
Fuel System4
Gasoline4
Steering3
Hydraulic2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 4, 2002 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED WHEN ENGINE IS HOT. DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, INCLUDING FUEL PUMP. BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *YH”
May 8, 2002 · Electrical System
“THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHEN STARTING DUE TO TFI MODULE FAILURE. *YH”
Sep 5, 2001 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING MAKING BRAKING AND STEERING MORE DIFFICULT, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED, ON ONE…”
Sep 4, 2001 · Electrical System Crash
“THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT NOTICE DURING SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND THE BRAKING AND STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING THE LOCAL FORD…”
May 2, 2001 · Electrical System
“ALTERNATOR REBUILT AND BOUGHT FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. THIS WAS THE SECOND ALTERNATOR WITH PROBLEMS, THE FIRST WAS TAKEN BACK AND THIS ONE THE MECHANIC REPLACED AND SAID THAT WHO DOES ADVANCE'S…”

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 1987 FORD TEMPO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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