Model year guide

1992 Ford Tempo

Q: Does the 1992 Ford Tempo have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 Ford Tempo. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1992 Ford Tempo get?

The 1992 Ford Tempo has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Ford Tempo is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1992 Ford Tempo — representative photo — Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1992 Ford Tempo at a glance

Safety recalls2

Owner complaints244

Combined19–24 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1992 Ford Tempo recalls 2

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan NHTSA Campaign #97V019000 · manufacturer #97S66 · 25/02/1997

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #96V071000 · 25/04/1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1992 Ford Tempo common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 244 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1992 Ford Tempo MPG & running costs

Combined19–24 mpg

City19 mpg

Highway26 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,225

EPA size classCompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd

Passenger volume90 cu ft

Cargo volume13 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1992 Ford Tempo costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,125

Fuel only$16,125

Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1992 Ford Tempo trims & engines on record

Trims

Engines

2.3L 4-cyl 96 hp

1992 Ford Tempo vehicles on record

1992 Ford Tempo GL1FAPP36X5NK162899

1992 Ford Tempo GL1FACP36X4NK200055

1992 Ford Tempo GL2FAPP36X6NB148293

1992 Ford Tempo — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 Ford Tempo have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 Ford Tempo. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Tempo?

Across all 244 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1992 Ford Tempo get?

The 1992 Ford Tempo has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.