Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 1985 Ford Tempo, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 33% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 21% |
| Steering | 4 | 12% |
| Tires | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 6% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Wheels | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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, 3.FUEL PUMP OEM # 0
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE CAR DIES AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE, MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A FAULTY MODULE. I AM IN GREAT DANGER OF THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD AND MYSELF. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE, AS I HAVE BEEN STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES ON TH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ELECTRONIC MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR FAULTY AND CAUSED CAR TO STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NARROWLY AVOIDED HAVING AN ACCIDENT WHEN ENGINE DIED. FORD CHARGED FOR A NEW PART BUT OTHER CARS MAY STILL HAVE THIS FAULTY PART PUTTING T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BRIDGESTONE TIRES P175 80 R13 DON'T HAVE GOOD TRACTION AROUND TURNS, SLIDES, AND MAKES SQUEALING NOISES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Tires
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG HAD NO DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
GOODYEAR VIVA TIRE (1) FLATTENED ON HIGHWAY ENTRY RAMP , 3 TIRES FAILED DUE TO BELT SLIPPAGE AND WERE REPLACED BUT FAILED AGAIN (175X80X13). NLM
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THIS CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY SISTER (ORIGINAL OWNER) AFTER ONLY 31000 MILES. THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ALL SENSORS, IGNITION MODULE, THROTTLE SOLENOID/SENSOR, AND CLUTCH HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN STA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1985 Ford Tempo. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 INSTA
Risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Fix: 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.
REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR.
Fix: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
THE UNEXPECTED OPEN THROTTLE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND A POTENTIAL CRASH.
Fix: REPLACE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR, IF NECESSARY.
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
Fix: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 54 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 11 of them (33%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1985 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.