Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1987 vs 1988 FORD TEMPO

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 467 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 135.9% more reports in the equal exposure window

1987 53 complaints 1988 125 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1987 share 1988 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 1.9% 12.0% ▲ 10.1 pts larger share
STEERING 7.6% not reported ▼ 7.6 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 45.3% 39.2% ▼ 6.1 pts smaller share
ENGINE 22.6% 17.6% ▼ 5.0 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.9% 4.8% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
WHEELS 1.9% not reported ▼ 1.9 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL not reported 1.6% ▲ 1.6 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE not reported 1.6% ▲ 1.6 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 5.7% 7.2% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.9% 0.8% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 1.9% 0.8% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 1.9% 0.8% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.8% 4.8% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
AIR BAGS not reported 0.8% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 0.8% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 3.8% 3.2% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 84.9% 80.8% ▼ 4.1 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1987 2

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and WHEELS

1988 2

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
17 → 35
◆ Injuries
1 → 9