1988 Ford Tempo LX 4dr Sedan
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1990 Ford Tempo GL 2-door, front left, 09-09-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1990 Ford Tempo L 4-door in Crystal Blue Clearcoat Metallic, front left, 2019-06-20 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1988 Ford Tempo L interior (2772768753) by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1988 Ford Tempo LX 4dr Sedan is a 2.3-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $10,135 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.
EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).
The Tempo measures 176.0 inches long on a 99.9-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $10,135 ($27,843 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.3L HSC I4, naturally aspirated |
| Displacement | 2.3 L |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 21 MPG |
| Highway | 29 MPG |
| Combined | 22 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent -- MacPherson strut, lower lateral link triangulated by the front anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | Independent "Quadralink" -- coil-over MacPherson strut, two parallel lower lateral control links, and a radius rod per side |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 9.3 in (236 mm) vented disc |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 14 in (rally) |
| Wheels Rear | 14 in (rally) |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 176 in |
| Width | 68 in |
| Height | 52 in |
| Wheelbase | 99.9 in |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36 in |
| Legroom Front | 41 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 53 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 53 in |
| Hip Room Front | 48 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 48 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1988 Ford Tempo LX 4dr Sedan with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford TEMPO. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Apr 25, 1996 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign 96V071000
Mar 1, 1988 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT.
Consequence: IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE ATTACHMENT SCREWS WITH SCREWS WITH PRE APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
NHTSA campaign 88V024000
129 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Ford TEMPO
Owner Complaints
129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford TEMPO (3 mention a crash, 36 a fire, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 51 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 23 |
| Seat Belts | 16 |
| Fuel System | 10 |
| Gasoline | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
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 1988 FORD TEMPO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.