Check your Transmission Fluid level and also if the gear chamber is not well greased then it will make them stick causing the vehicle to stall.
Faulty ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor. Replace it.
Need to know the year and what it is in.
I'd start with the kickstand safety switch.
A problem in the fuel line could cause it to stall. On a stick shift, letting off the clutch too soon would cause the vehicle to stall.
torque converter or solenoid problem most likely if it runs out of gear ok.
The temperature will keep the 1986 ford tempo automatice transmission to stay in first gear because this car was design for the cold. Changing the gear to early and a cold temperature could ruin the car.
Because when the engine is sitting there not warmed up with any fluids running through the components, and suddenly it gets put into gear, it stalls to send a warning that the engine is still cold..always warm up a vehicle when the weather is cold! ALWAYS! even a new car, if its cold you must let the car work itself into driving conditions....try running a mile with absolutely no liquid running through you, see how many times YOU stall..
The engine has problems; when the engine is put into gear it becomes loaded but does not have the power to support the load at idle. Have it scanned for possible faults/codes, run diagnostic on the engine, and/or tuning it up may help.
Because reverse is a lower ratio gear than drive and puts less load on the engine.
The engine isn't receiving the correct amount of fuel which will stall the motor. Also if the oxygen censor isn't working properly then the motor will stall.
There are several reasons that a car may stall only in reverse, the best way to narrow down the issue is to use a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool will show which sensors on the transmission may be malfunctioning enough to stall the engine.
It depends on the gearing of the car. If you are in the highest gear and 40mph in that gear is under the idle rpm of that car than you will stall.