79 of the 249 complaints about the 1993 Ford Probe are about the braking system — 32% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 40,000 miles.
79
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
PARKING BRAKE
RELEASE OF HAND BRAKE ON FORD PROBE GT FAILS TO DISENGAGE THE REAR BRAKES, REAR WHEEL(S) NOW PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY LOCKED, CURRENT METHOD OF CORRECTION INVOLVES MANUALLY RELEASING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR (ALWAYS PARK DOWNHILL NOW).
NHTSA complaint #10172614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
PIVOT PIN IN BOTH REAR CALIPERS CORRODES DUE TO FAULTY GASKET AND REAR BRAKES SEIZE AS A RESULT.
NHTSA complaint #762692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
1993 FORD PROBE GT. BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE EACH SEIZED TWICE (BOTH CALIPERS WERE REBUILT BY A DEALER AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURES). WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THERE IS A BURNING BRAKE SMELL, THE ROTOR GLOWS ORANGE, THE ENTIRE WHEEL GETS EXTREMEMLY HOT, AND THE VEHICLE IS DESTABILIZED TOWARDS OVERSTEER. THE BRAKE PADS ARE DESTROYED VERY QUICKLY RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE REAR BRAKES (INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE). THE BRAKE ROTOR MAY ALSO WARP DUE TO HEAT DAMAGE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE CORRECTLY SINCE IT INITIALLY JUST SEEMS LIKE A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A RUBBER SEAL (HANDBRAKE PIVOT-PIN SEAL) THAT DETERIORATES PREMATURELY ALLOWING MOISTURE AND CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE CALIPER WHERE IS CAUSES THE NEEDLE BEARINGS TO CORRODE. IT THEREFORE ONLY EFFECTS PROBE MODELS WITH REAR DISC BRAKES (PROBE GT). FORD REVISED THE REAR CALIPERS ON PROBE GT'S MANUFACTURED AFTER 5-JAN-1995 TO CORRECT THE DEFECT ALTHOUGH EARLIER MODELS WERE NEVER CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #762262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS DO NOT RELEASE PROPERLY WHEN HANDBRAKE IS RELEASED. THIS CAUSES FRICTIONAL HEATING AND WARPED ROTORS. FORD UK HAS PAID FOR NEW CALIPERS, BUT FORD US HAS REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #740783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #738293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #738293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE PIVOT PIN SIEZED, WHICH CAUSED REAR BRAKE PADS TO REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH BRAKE ROTOR, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #781268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
MAJORITY OF 2ND GENERATION PROBE OWNERS HAVE PROBLEM WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE. SEIZING OF LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER MAY CAUSE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO NOT OPERATE DURING EMERGENCY. THE BRAKE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO SEIZED PIVOT PIN IN THE CALIPER OR CAN CAUSE UNBALANCED BRAKING SINCE ONE SIDE WILL NOT WORK. IF EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE APPLIED DURING SOME SPEED THE UNBALANCING OF REAR BRAKES MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO SPIN OUT INTO DEADLY CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #737170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
MAJORITY OF 2ND GENERATION PROBE OWNERS HAVE PROBLEM WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE. SEIZING OF LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER MAY CAUSE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO NOT OPERATE DURING EMERGENCY. THE BRAKE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO SEIZED PIVOT PIN IN THE CALIPER OR CAN CAUSE UNBALANCED BRAKING SINCE ONE SIDE WILL NOT WORK. IF EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE APPLIED DURING SOME SPEED THE UNBALANCING OF REAR BRAKES MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO SPIN OUT INTO DEADLY CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #737170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MAJORITY OF 2ND GENERATION PROBE OWNERS HAVE PROBLEM WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE. SEIZING OF LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER MAY CAUSE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO NOT OPERATE DURING EMERGENCY. THE BRAKE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO SEIZED PIVOT PIN IN THE CALIPER OR CAN CAUSE UNBALANCED BRAKING SINCE ONE SIDE WILL NOT WORK. IF EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE APPLIED DURING SOME SPEED THE UNBALANCING OF REAR BRAKES MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO SPIN OUT INTO DEADLY CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #737170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND STEERING WOULD LOCK UP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #873879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKES WHICH ARE MADE WITH NON-ABSESTOS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO RUSTED THROUGH AND A SQUEAKING NOISE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH MAY RESULT A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #866983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
AFTER RELEASING THE HAND BRAKE THE REAR WHEELS REMAIN LOCKED. I UNDERSTOOD THAT TIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I HAD TO DRIVE 6 MILES FROM WORK WITH THE REAR WHEELS ALMOST LOCKED AND DUE TO THE OVERHEATING OF THE REAR DISCS, WITH ALMOST NO BRAKES!!!! FORD HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! I HAVE CONTACTED A FORD AUTHORIZED DEALER AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. I AM SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE 93 PROBE. IF FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FIXED IT IN '95 AND LATER PROBES WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THE 93 AND 94 MODELS??? THERE SHOUD BE SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY SHOULD DO ABOUT THIS! FORD HAS TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART THAT HAS A VALUE OF MORE THAN 250 $. PEASE HELP US! ALIN.
NHTSA complaint #723994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER RELEASING THE HAND BRAKE THE REAR WHEELS REMAIN LOCKED. I UNDERSTOOD THAT TIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I HAD TO DRIVE 6 MILES FROM WORK WITH THE REAR WHEELS ALMOST LOCKED AND DUE TO THE OVERHEATING OF THE REAR DISCS, WITH ALMOST NO BRAKES!!!! FORD HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! I HAVE CONTACTED A FORD AUTHORIZED DEALER AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. I AM SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE 93 PROBE. IF FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FIXED IT IN '95 AND LATER PROBES WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THE 93 AND 94 MODELS??? THERE SHOUD BE SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY SHOULD DO ABOUT THIS! FORD HAS TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART THAT HAS A VALUE OF MORE THAN 250 $. PEASE HELP US! ALIN.
NHTSA complaint #723994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REIMBURSEMENT IS DESIRED SINCE OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #722284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED, FAILING TO RELEASE. SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #720558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REAR CALIPERS SIEZED, FAILING TO RELEASE BRAKE PADS FROM DISC.
NHTSA complaint #717752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
PASSANGER SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP, DESTROYING ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, MANY PROBE OWNERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM, VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #717401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
LEFT REAR CALIPER LOCKED UP ON A COLD MORNING. WAS NOT ABLE TO TELL, DROVE FOR 1 MILE, ROTOR HEATED UP ENOUGH TO TURN CHERRY RED, SMOKING VERY BADLY. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM, EVERY '93 & '94 FORD PROBE GT HAS THIS PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE NO PARKING BRAKE WHICH I SHOULD HAVE. I AM ALWAYS HEARING OF PROBLEMS FROM OTHERS ON A PROBE FAQ SITE. YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM OTHERS ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #717392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT OF 1993/94 FORD PROBE GT'S. I HEAR A REDESIGN CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH 95 MODELS. JUST NO ONE WANTS TO PAY FOR THE DEFECT FOR US 93 OWNERS. SEE HTTP://WWW.KLIO.NET/PROBE/ISSUES.HTML FOR MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #716361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UP TWICE. FORD DIDN'T REPLACE UNTIL CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. FIRST LOCKUP AT 2/13/95, MILEAGE 24,273, BUT NO CALIPER REPLACEMENT, JUST A LUBE AND REPOSITION. SUBSEQUENT INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS REPORTED TO DEALER, BUT UNREPRODUCIBLE AT DEALER. SECOND CALIPER SEIZURE ON 2/4/97 AT 52,941 MILES. DEALER REPLACED CALIPER AT $400 COST TO ME. THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON 1993 AND 1994 PROBES AND MAZDA MX-6S THAT COULD LEAD TO CALIPER SEIZURES WHILE DRIVING. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #715906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UP TWICE. FORD DIDN'T REPLACE UNTIL CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. FIRST LOCKUP AT 2/13/95, MILEAGE 24,273, BUT NO CALIPER REPLACEMENT, JUST A LUBE AND REPOSITION. SUBSEQUENT INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS REPORTED TO DEALER, BUT UNREPRODUCIBLE AT DEALER. SECOND CALIPER SEIZURE ON 2/4/97 AT 52,941 MILES. DEALER REPLACED CALIPER AT $400 COST TO ME. THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON 1993 AND 1994 PROBES AND MAZDA MX-6S THAT COULD LEAD TO CALIPER SEIZURES WHILE DRIVING. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #715906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
HAND BRAKE FAILS TO RELEASE. REAR CALIPERS SIEZE REAR CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES- APPROXIMATELY EVERY 43K MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM I HAVE SEEN IT MENTIONED REPEATEDLY AT FORD PROBE SITES ON THE INTERNET
NHTSA complaint #708509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
HAND BRAKE FAILS TO RELEASE. REAR CALIPERS SIEZE REAR CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES- APPROXIMATELY EVERY 43K MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM I HAVE SEEN IT MENTIONED REPEATEDLY AT FORD PROBE SITES ON THE INTERNET
NHTSA complaint #708509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #707906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #707906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BOTH REAR CALIPERS HAVE SEIZED. I CANNOT USE THE HANDBRAKE WHEN I PARK. TALKED TO 4 DIFFERENT DEALERS. ALL WANT AN ARM AND LEG TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART. RESULTANT FAILURE HAS CAUSED BAD BUSHINGS/ROTORS/TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #706630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BOTH REAR CALIPERS HAVE SEIZED. I CANNOT USE THE HANDBRAKE WHEN I PARK. TALKED TO 4 DIFFERENT DEALERS. ALL WANT AN ARM AND LEG TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART. RESULTANT FAILURE HAS CAUSED BAD BUSHINGS/ROTORS/TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #706630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER WILL TOUCH THE DISC AND MAKE A VERY LOUD SCREACHING NOISE. EVEN WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES, THE SQUEALING APPEARS. SOMETIMES, USING THE BRAKES MAKES IT MOMENTARILY STOP, AND SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES IT WORSE. FORD DEALERSHIP ESTIMATE FOR REBUILT CALLIPER IS $420, AND $600 FOR A NEW ONE. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT FORD PAYING FOR SOME OF THESE REPLACEMENTS, SINCE IT IS DESIGN DEFECT AND WAS ONLY SOLVED BY A REDESIGNED CALLIPER IN 95+ MODELS. KOONS DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND SAID IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. SEEING AS HOW IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT, I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $420-$600 TO HAVE IT REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #706534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED SENSOR ON WHEEL, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS.
NHTSA complaint #825605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.