FaultScore

1989 Ford Probe electrical problems

11 of the 103 complaints about the 1989 Ford Probe are about the electrical system — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 133,475 miles.

F

11

Complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Alternator/Generator/Regulator 4 36.4%
Electrical System 3 27.3%
Front Underhood 2 18.2%
Ignition 1 9.1%
Interior/Under Dash 1 9.1%

Electrical System across every Ford Probe year

1989 11 10.8%
1990 14 13.7%
1993 34 33.3%
1994 30 29.4%
1995 13 12.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 168,000 miles Lynnwood, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER PULLING ALL FUSES IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH VEHICLE OFF, TO CHECK THEM AND PUTTING THEM ALL BACK, VERIFYING SEVERAL TIMES THE CORRECT LOCATION, THE CAR CRANKS BUT NO LONGER STARTS. THERE IS NO SPARK, NO FUEL PRESSURE. IGNITION COIL GETS 12V POWER TO BOTH PRONGS UNTIL CRANKING, THEN LOSSES ALL POWER. 4EAT COMPUTER UNDER THE DASH REPORTS FAULT WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND THIS WAS VERIFIED BY TESTING IT MANUALLY USING A VOLTMETER, A BAD TPS WILL NOT CAUSE A NO START SITUATION ANYWAY. REPLACED THE 4EAT CONTROL MODULE AND NO CHANGE. TRIED PULLING CODES FROM ECM, NO CODES REPORTED. REPLACED ECM, NO CHANGE IN SITUATION. VERIFIED THE FUEL CUTOFF SWITCH WAS NOT TRIGGERED, VERIFIED THE RELAYS ARE WORKING. CAR IS DEAD AND I'M OUT OF MONEY TO FIX IT. IF FORD WOULD MAKE TOOLS LIKE THE BREAKOUT BOX AND 4EAT TESTER AFFORDABLE FOR CONSUMERS THAT WOULD BE GREAT, BUT NO.

NHTSA complaint #10788385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,950 miles Honolulu, HI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ENGINE STOPS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING, CUTTING OUT THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING AND MAKING MY FRONT-HEAVY FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR VERY VERY HARD TO STEER AND VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE ENGINE STOPS UNEXPECTEDLY OFTEN, WITHOUT WARNING. I THOUGHT THIS WAS TIED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT CHANGING THE SWITCH AND WIRING DID NOT HELP. AT THE SAME TIME OF THIS PROBLEM, THE IGNITION SWITCH STOPPED TURNING ON THE STARTER, BUT WILL LET THE ENGINE RUN.

NHTSA complaint #10611084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Abilene, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, MOSTLY ELECTRICAL (HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LOCKS AND ALTERNATOR). *MJS

NHTSA complaint #557540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lansing, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TFI MODULE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR BELT BRACKET ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY, CAUSING THE BELTS TO CONTINUE TO BREAK.

NHTSA complaint #807494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newton Square, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

GENERATOR/ALTERNATOR FAILED, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE VOLTAGE.

NHTSA complaint #509781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lansing, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ELECTRICAL SHORT, WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE HOOD FIRE WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #979902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lansing, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ELECTRICAL SHORT, WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE HOOD FIRE WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #979902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED SEVEN (7) TIMES. TT

NHTSA complaint #975200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Drummond ISL, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

SHORTS OUT EVERYTHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND ALMOST CAUGHT THE GARAGE ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #973412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lynbrook, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

EVERY 12000 MILES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALTENATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THIS IS THE 4TH COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #968499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Ford Probe problems

← Full 1989 Ford Probe report