18 of the
103 complaints about the 1989 Ford Probe are about the
engine — 17% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
98,950 miles.
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.
Antioch, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SOMETIMES VEHICLE STALLED WHEN PUT INTO GEAR AND ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *PH THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10068566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AND THE MOTOR AND RADIATOR FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #557540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AND THE MOTOR AND RADIATOR FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #557540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CARS STALLS; BEEN TO MECHANICS, THEY CANT SEE THE PROBLEM IT STALLS WHEN WARM IT SHOULDNT VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #734060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE WHILE DRIVING (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midwest City, OK1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC TOP OF RADIATOR FAILED UPON OPENING THE HOOD..17 YEAR OLD WAS SPRAYED WITH HOT LIQUID AND STEAM HOSPITALIZED WITH 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS 50% OF BODY.
NHTSA complaint #708546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunprairie, WIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED AFTER BEING PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR TWO HOURS. IT THEN MUST HAVE IGNITED THE STARTER AND STALLED ITSELF, AND FORCED ITSELF TO MOVE FORWARD 10 TO 20 FEET. WHEN MOVING FORWARD ,UP HILL, IT RAN INTO A BUILDING, DOING NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE EXCEPT FOR FIRE BURNS LEFT ON THE WALL.
NHTSA complaint #702620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Cruz, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AT TOP OF A HILL VEHICLE AT LOW IDLE. SUDDENLY VEHICLE STALLED OUT. STEERING SHUTDOWN. HAD NO CONTROL. VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL DOWN HILL. APPLIED BRAKES TO NO AVAIL. USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL GRAVITY ENDED. HAVE TAKEN TO MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #822281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Spri, FL1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR EXPLODED SPEWING HOT WATER ONTO DRIVER, CAUSING FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON FACE, HAND, ARM, STOMACH AND LOWER ABDOMINAL REGION. REPAIRMAN STATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE OF FAULTY PLASTIC USED IN RADIATOR.
NHTSA complaint #521797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ALTERNATOR BELT BRACKET ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY, CAUSING THE BELTS TO CONTINUE TO BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #807494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAMSHAFT SEIZED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #505875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
E Syracuse, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ENGINE BELTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #505875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
E Syracuse, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE VALVES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #505875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
E Syracuse, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAMSHAFT SIEZED BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE LUBRICATION, CAUSING ENGINE TO STOP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #505875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newton, MAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IT DROVE ITSELF INTO A DITCH AND IT WENT UP INTO FLAMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #501968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cupertino, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MUFFLER RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #489291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.