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

1988 vs 1989 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 455 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 1.6% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1988 125 complaints 1989 123 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 1988 share 1989 share Share change
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39.2% 23.6% ▼ 15.6 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4.8% 13.0% ▲ 8.2 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 4.8% 12.2% ▲ 7.4 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 7.2% 1.6% ▼ 5.6 pts smaller share
STEERING not reported 3.3% ▲ 3.3 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.6% 4.1% ▲ 2.5 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 0.8% 3.3% ▲ 2.5 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 12.0% 13.8% ▲ 1.8 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 3.2% 1.6% ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
WHEELS not reported 0.8% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 0.8% not reported ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 0.8% not reported ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
TIRES 0.8% not reported ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 1.6% 0.8% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
ENGINE 17.6% 17.1% ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 0.8% 0.8% ▲ 0.0 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 80.8% 83.7% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1988 2

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1989 1

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
35 → 21
◆ Injuries
9 → 5