NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Webbing
1234.3%
Retractor
617.1%
Anchorage
411.4%
Manual Transmission
38.6%
Hydraulic Power Assist System
38.6%
Automatic Transmission
38.6%
Gasoline
25.7%
Switch
25.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
116.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
466.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 1995peak 5Aug 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Ford Probe
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP07001Opened 30 Jul 2007Closed 5 Dec 2007SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEATBACK RECLINE MECHANISM FAILURE
ON JUNE 29, 2007, NHTSA RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. RICHARD H. MCSWAIN OF MCSWAIN ENGINEERING INC., REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE SEATBACK RECLINER FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED A FAILURE MODE INVOLVING BYPASS OF THE SEATBACK STOP PIN WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FALSE OR PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE SECTOR AND PAWL TEETH, ALLOWING THE SEATBACK TO RECLINE IN A VEHICULAR COLLISION.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ALLEGED FAILURE MODE MAY BE THE RESULT OF PROGRESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR OF THE SEATBACK STOP PIN, THE SEATBACK STOP, AND OTHER SEAT COMPONENTS IN VEHICLES THAT ARE, ON...
RQ98011Opened 31 Jul 1998Closed 16 Feb 1999SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT
Recalls on the 1992 Ford Probe
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96V172002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
NOTE: PASSENGER SIDE (RIGHT) SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
96V172001
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
NOTE: DRIVER'S SIDE (LEFT) PASSIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
93E035000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Risk: IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19961538,022 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE RAIL OF THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT TRACK ASSEMBLY MAY WEAR SUFFICIENTLY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO CAUSE THE CABLE WHICH PUSHES AND PULLS THE MOVEABLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY TO JAM IN THE TRACK, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TRACK ASSEMBLY TO BE INOPERATIVE. CORRECTION: DRIVER SIDE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT TRACKS WILL BE REPLACED WITH INCREASED DURABILITY TRACKS. PASSENGER SIDE BELT TRACKS WILL BE INSPECTED AND/OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Recall 199509925,196 units in Canada
Electrical
THE FUEL PUMP WIRING ASSEMBLY MAY CORRODE DUE TO ROAD SALT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL BRIDGE DEVELOPING BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER TERMINALS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL SENDER GROUND CIRCUIT TO OVERHEAT THE WIRING AND MELT ITS INSULATION CAUSING SMOKE AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO OTHER WIRING. CORRECTION: A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Gouverneur, NYCrash
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER'S AUTOMATIC SET BELT CAME OUT OF T TRACK AFTER HITTING A DEER. SEAT BELT WAS IN USE AT TIME. PASSENGER WAS THROWN FORWARD WHEN BELT BROKE. HAD NO AIRBAGS. NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #884580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wichita, KSCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WAS REARENDED AND HIT TRUCK IN FRONT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DIDN'T RESTRAIN CONSUMER . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #804528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TWICE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE STAYED IN ON POSITION, KEEPING/STARTING TO ENGAGE. THIS BURNT WIRES AND OTHER COMPONENTS., RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #983041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TWICE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE STAYED IN ON POSITION, KEEPING/STARTING TO ENGAGE. THIS BURNT WIRES AND OTHER COMPONENTS., RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #983041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
TWICE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE STAYED IN ON POSITION, KEEPING/STARTING TO ENGAGE. THIS BURNT WIRES AND OTHER COMPONENTS., RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #983041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bonner Sprin, KSCrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TRAVELING ON ICY ROADS VEHICLE SLID, HIT CURB AND STEERING ASSEMBLY BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #980505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 108,000 milesWartburg, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY BOOKS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. SHE REFERENCE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V172001, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING AND STATED THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY HAVE SENT HER SEVERAL LETTERS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN WITHOUT THE SHOULDER BELT FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. UPDATED 11/10/10
NHTSA complaint #10349241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesWartburg, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE BELT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO LOOK UP THE REMEDY IN THE DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE (96V172001 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 07/06/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. UPDATED 09/21/10
NHTSA complaint #10328816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesWartburg, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 96V172001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING) WAS PERFORMED IN 2007 BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE COMPLAINT DOES NOT EXPLAIN WHAT WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. UPDATED 7/06/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/09/10.
NHTSA complaint #10322645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesBerlin, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A 92 PROBE V6 WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT I HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING ONE WEEK WHEN I WAS TRAVELING TO SCHOOL AND WHEN I CAME HOME THAT WEEKEND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. AFTER LETTING IT SIT I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME, ALTHOUGH IT SHIFTED ROUGH FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST AND TO SECOND, THEN WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THIRD AT ALL. I HAD TO USE MANUAL SHIFT MODE TO KEEP IT FROM SHIFTING INTO THIRD. WHILE CHANGING TRANSMISSION FLUID IT WE NOTICED A BURNT OIL SMELL TO IT. CHANGING THE FLUID HAD LITTLE EFFECT. THE WORST THING IS THAT I WAS ALSO LOOKING AT A 91 GRAND AM 4 CYL FOR $200 LESS.
NHTSA complaint #10226406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,528 milesDayton, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVERS SIDE (LEFT) PASSIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS WORN SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAS BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE. ACCORDING THE LETTER WRITTEN BY MR. JONATHAN D. WHITE RECALL ANALYSIS DIVISION OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION SAFETY ASSURANCE. "FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMEDY OF THESE VEHICLES FROM THE DATE OF AUG 22, 1996 FORWARD,REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE MILEAGE OR OWNERSHIP." NOT GIVING AN ENDING DATE. THERE RECALL INVOLVES 224,000 FORD MOTOR COMPANY VEHICLES 1990 THROUGH 1992 FORD PROBE MODEL EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MOTORIZED (PASSIVE) SHOULDER BELTS AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURED FROM AUG 14, 1989 THROUGH FEB 7, 1992. MY VEHICLE WAS MADE NOV 1, 1991 WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE RECALL. RECALL NO.96S48. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT 800-392-3673. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND THE RECALLS ARE DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT STATES.
NHTSA complaint #10167705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Canton, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SEAT BELT BROKE. IN 1996 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TRACK, AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER SEAT BELT WAS ALREADY BROKE, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WROTE A LETTER TO FORD ABOUT THE SEAT BELT AND EVENTUALLY IT WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS FINE. IN 2000 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. NOW THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS BROKE, THE CONSUMER CALLED FORD TO INQUIRE ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10011329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMonroe Township, NJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE. THE SHOULDER STRAP IS JAMMED IN THE RAIL BEHIND THE SHOULDER OF THE DRIVER. RECALL 96V172001 WAS ISSUED ON MAKE,/MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10061050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cookeville, TN
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE, AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION.
NHTSA complaint #10017539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE SEAT BELT WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10006891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELTS LOCK UP CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON FEBRUARY 2, 1997 ON BOTH OF THEM. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS HAD THEM REPLACED. BOTH SIDES STILL LOCK UP ALL THE TIME PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF ANY KIND.
NHTSA complaint #762632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norway, ME
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR DOES NOT RETRACT, VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 96 V 172 000. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple, FL
SEAT BELTS
NHTSA RECALL ID# 96-V-172-002/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 96S99, AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT IS SUPPOSE TO RETRACT BACK AND FORWARD ACROSS CONSUMER WHEN DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS BEING REPLACED FOR SECOND TIME. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AN DRECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ONCE. PLEASE PROVIDE THE VEHICLE ID NUMBER AND MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #8003516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, NY
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ANTENNA FAILED TO RETRACT, IT WAS REPLACED AND FAILED AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER.
NHTSA complaint #785680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED, PRIOR TO RECALL AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED 18 MONTHS AFTER BEING FIXED AS PER RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #785680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norway, ME
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO COME BACK AFTER THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND CLOSED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DID THE SAME THING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norway, ME
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakla, FL
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ARE FROZEN. CABLES ARE JAMMED. THERE IS A RECALL 96V172000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 96S48. RECALL IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK AT TIME OF RECALL, CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS, THEREFORE NO CORRECTIONS NEEDED TO BE MADE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gouverneur, NYCrash
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER'S AUTOMATIC SET BELT CAME OUT OF T TRACK AFTER HITTING A DEER. SEAT BELT WAS IN USE AT TIME. PASSENGER WAS THROWN FORWARD WHEN BELT BROKE. HAD NO AIRBAGS. NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #884580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
SEAT BELTS
REGARDING FORD RECALL # 96S48 AND 96S99 - SEAT BELT RECALL. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THEY PERFORMED REPLACEMENT OF SEATBELT TRACK AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY ON FEBRUARY 25, 1997. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR HAS FAILED JUST AS THE RECALL DESCRIBED THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE CLAIMING THAT THE WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. I CONTEND THAT I RECEIVED EITHER FAULTY PARTS AND / OR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP FROM THE DEALERSHIP. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH FORD? THANK YOU. MI.
NHTSA complaint #741950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hallandale, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hallandale, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE IGNITION WAS REWIRED, CONSUMER BELIEVES THESE IGNITION PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE TFI MODULE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hallandale, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR, S/C SWITCH WAS ALSO REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.