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

1989 vs 1990 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 443 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 7.3% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

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

View component share data as a table

Component	1989 share	1990 share	Share change
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	13.0%	3.8%	▼ 9.2 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	23.6%	32.6%	▲ 9.0 pts larger share
ENGINE	17.1%	9.9%	▼ 7.2 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS	13.8%	19.7%	▲ 5.9 pts larger share
STEERING	3.3%	6.8%	▲ 3.6 pts larger share
TIRES	not reported	2.3%	▲ 2.3 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	4.1%	2.3%	▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE	3.3%	1.5%	▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES	12.2%	13.6%	▲ 1.4 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM	1.6%	0.8%	▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
WHEELS	0.8%	not reported	▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE	0.8%	not reported	▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY	not reported	0.8%	▲ 0.8 pts larger share
AIR BAGS	not reported	0.8%	▲ 0.8 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN	1.6%	1.5%	▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION	0.8%	0.8%	▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	83.7%	75.0%	▼ 8.7 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1989 1

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1990 2

Campaign components: AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21