← Back to Search

1990 Ford Tempo LX 4dr Sedan

The 1990 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 $11,032 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

The Tempo measures 177.0 inches long on a 99.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,587 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$11,032 ($27,432 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.3L HSC I4, naturally aspirated
Displacement2.3 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway30 MPG
Combined22 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 (polycast)
Wheels Rear14 in (polycast)
Dimensions & Weight
Length177 in
Width68.3 in
Height52.9 in
Wheelbase99.9 in
Curb Weight2,587 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37.5 in
Headroom Rear36.9 in
Legroom Front41.5 in
Legroom Rear36 in
Shoulder Room Front53.9 in
Shoulder Room Rear53.3 in
Hip Room Front48.8 in
Hip Room Rear48.8 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1990 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

Oct 30, 1990 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Consequence: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

NHTSA campaign 90E043001

135 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1990 Ford TEMPO

Owner Complaints

135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Ford TEMPO (16 mention a crash, 27 a fire, 9 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System45
Seat Belts27
Service Brakes19
Engine And Engine Cooling18
Hydraulic18
Steering10
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 21, 2004 · Electrical System
“CAR HAS REPEATABLE PROBLEM OF NOT STARTING...HAVE HAD IT TOWED, DUE TO THIS, NUMEROUS TIMES, SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED, ETC. ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT IT HAS TWO IGNITION…”
Sep 28, 2004 · Electrical System Fire
“JUST AFTER PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE . HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE TOP OF THE ALTERNATOR PLUG WAS BURNING FOLLOWED BY WIRING BURNING ACROSS TO THE BATTERY. THE…”
Sep 2, 2004 · Seat Belts
“DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR SEAT BELT WITHOUT PAYMENT. *AK”
May 7, 2003 · Tires
“THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH (KELLY METRIC RADIAL SIZE 18570R14). PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER. *NLM”
Mar 8, 2003 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train, Seat Belts, Structure
“1.) ROUGH IDLE, AND OIL LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHEN IDLING AND ONLY GOES OFF WHEN ACCELERATING, BUT OFTEN STALLS OUT, AND DOESN'T WANT TO RE-START. (HAD OIL CHANGED TWICE TO GET EXCESS GAS OUT…”

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 1990 FORD TEMPO. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search