Owners have filed 77 complaints
about the 1996 Ford Probe with NHTSA between 1996 and 2011.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Ford Probe. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 40
7.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Automatic Transmission
1542.9%
Gasoline
411.4%
Ignition
411.4%
Catalytic Convertor
38.6%
Engine
38.6%
Pump
25.7%
Rack AND Pinion
25.7%
Emission Control
25.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
550.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
150,000+ miles
220.0%
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.
Mar 1996peak 15May 2011
Recalls on the 1996 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19991342,009 units in Canada
Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions. Fuel vapour may leak from between the fuel cap and the fuel filler pipe. Correction: Filler cap will be replaced with one that incorporates an o-ring that will positively seal the suspect fuel filler pipes.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Landrum, SCCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL/PASSENGER'S SIDE COLLISION AT 40 MPH, AND BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPOLY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #863124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
I AM HAVING A REPEATED PROBLEM OF THE TRUNK HOOD FALLING AND SMASHING YOUR HEAD. USUALLY I TRY TO HAVE SOMEONE HOLD IT OPEN FOR ME, BUT WHEN IN A HURRY I FORGET AND END UP WITH A CONCUSSION.
NHTSA complaint #719302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Independence, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER WAS PUMPING GAS WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. DURING THE PROCESS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #826023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roswell, GACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 MPH FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #803466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greer, SCCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #980953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 168,000 milesWestland, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
REPLACED RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW PART FROM O'REILLY AUTOPARTS STORE ON 8/31/10 AND ON 11/05/10 THE BALL JOINT CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE NEW CONTROL ARM MAKING AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. DEFECTIVE NEW PART, REPLACED IT AGAIN ON 11/09/10 WITH ANOTHER NEW REPLACEMENT PART FROM O'REILLY AUTOPARTS STORE.
NHTSA complaint #10402089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,031 milesWestland, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
LT FRONT SPRING BROKE & PUNCTURED THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE MAKING IT GO FLAT.
NHTSA complaint #10234493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesTrenton, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SECOND TIME. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10232224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesPleasant City, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1996 FORD PROBE SE AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILURE,SAME AS MAZDA 626 ALL OF THESE CARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT COST THOUSANDS TO FIX,CHECK THE INTERNET,WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10173787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,584 milesPekin, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AS SOON AS I GOT UP TO SPEED PAST 30 MILES PER HOUR IT KICKED INTO TO GEAR REALLY HARD AND I COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION BARELY SLIPPING INTO GEAR..AND HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP FLUSHED IT WAS OVER HEATING THOUGHT IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT BUT IT WAS CHECKED AND FINE SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP...WAS MISSING A MOTOR MOUNT ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER WAS CORRODDED.. WHEN I ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CAN HEAR MY CAR 4 BLOCKS AWAY..BRAKES AREN'T RIGHT THEY DON'T PRESS DOWN LIKE THEY SHOULD AND HALF THE TIME THEY JUST DON'T WORK...IF I AM LUCKY, I HAVE TO START BRAKING AROUND 2 BLOCKS AWAY, I MAY STOP IN TIME. I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON JULY 16,2006 AND THIS ALL HAPPENED STARTING JULY 17,2006. PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON TIME AND HAVE HAD TWO ESTIMATES AS THEY REQUESTED FOR ALL THE REPAIRS BUT THEY STILL ARE STATING I HAVE TO COME UP WITH HALF THE MONEY UPFRONT AND THEN THEY WILL TACT ON THE REST TO THE END OF MY BILL I OWE TO PAY OFF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10164357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,584 milesPekin, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AS SOON AS I GOT UP TO SPEED PAST 30 MILES PER HOUR IT KICKED INTO TO GEAR REALLY HARD AND I COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION BARELY SLIPPING INTO GEAR..AND HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP FLUSHED IT WAS OVER HEATING THOUGHT IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT BUT IT WAS CHECKED AND FINE SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP...WAS MISSING A MOTOR MOUNT ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER WAS CORRODDED.. WHEN I ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CAN HEAR MY CAR 4 BLOCKS AWAY..BRAKES AREN'T RIGHT THEY DON'T PRESS DOWN LIKE THEY SHOULD AND HALF THE TIME THEY JUST DON'T WORK...IF I AM LUCKY, I HAVE TO START BRAKING AROUND 2 BLOCKS AWAY, I MAY STOP IN TIME. I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON JULY 16,2006 AND THIS ALL HAPPENED STARTING JULY 17,2006. PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON TIME AND HAVE HAD TWO ESTIMATES AS THEY REQUESTED FOR ALL THE REPAIRS BUT THEY STILL ARE STATING I HAVE TO COME UP WITH HALF THE MONEY UPFRONT AND THEN THEY WILL TACT ON THE REST TO THE END OF MY BILL I OWE TO PAY OFF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10164357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,584 milesPekin, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AS SOON AS I GOT UP TO SPEED PAST 30 MILES PER HOUR IT KICKED INTO TO GEAR REALLY HARD AND I COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION BARELY SLIPPING INTO GEAR..AND HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP FLUSHED IT WAS OVER HEATING THOUGHT IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT BUT IT WAS CHECKED AND FINE SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP...WAS MISSING A MOTOR MOUNT ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER WAS CORRODDED.. WHEN I ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CAN HEAR MY CAR 4 BLOCKS AWAY..BRAKES AREN'T RIGHT THEY DON'T PRESS DOWN LIKE THEY SHOULD AND HALF THE TIME THEY JUST DON'T WORK...IF I AM LUCKY, I HAVE TO START BRAKING AROUND 2 BLOCKS AWAY, I MAY STOP IN TIME. I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON JULY 16,2006 AND THIS ALL HAPPENED STARTING JULY 17,2006. PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON TIME AND HAVE HAD TWO ESTIMATES AS THEY REQUESTED FOR ALL THE REPAIRS BUT THEY STILL ARE STATING I HAVE TO COME UP WITH HALF THE MONEY UPFRONT AND THEN THEY WILL TACT ON THE REST TO THE END OF MY BILL I OWE TO PAY OFF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10164357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euclid, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 96 FORD PROBE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. IT WAS AN AUTOMATIC . WITH IT BEING AN AUTOMATIC IT WOULD SEEM THAT THEY WOULD NOT GO BAD COMPARED TO A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I'VE BEEN READING THAT A LOT OF THE MAZDA/FORD TRANSMISSION ARE TERRIBLE AND PEOPLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS THE CD4E. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST LIKE TO LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE CD4E. I'VE HAD IT FIXED HOWEVER THE MECHANICS MUST STILL NOT HAVE IT EXACTLY CORRECT CAUSE ITS STILL IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. SO NOW I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN FOR THEM TO LOOK OVER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10157932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesWinter Springs, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1996 FORD PROBE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ( SAME AS MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION . ITS BEEN REBUILT 2 TIMES ALREADY AND NOW NEEDS A 3RD , ONLY 120000 MILES AND ALL THAT!!! COSTS THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10143504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,700 milesPapillion, NE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 96 FORD PROBE WITH A CD4E TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 66000 MILES ON IT. A FEW DAYS MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT UP. IT WOULD REV HIGH THEN SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR, WHEN ATEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, IT JUST WOULDN'T. THIS CAUSES MY CAR TO ONLY GO A BLISTERING SPEED OF 45MPH?!? THIS TRANSMISSION , THE CD4E, IS PRODUCED BY MAZDA AND IS ALSO IN THE 626. I SEARCH THE WEB TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NOW I WANT TO GET RID OF MY CAR I FELL IN LOVE WITH 4 YEARS AGO. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM 94-TO 99. THOUSAND OF REPORTED PROBLEMS BUT NO RECALL? WE NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINT MAZDA AND THE PROBLEM TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10100635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
WHEELS:RIM
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR RIM EXPLODED. CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10099330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesBradenton, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ENGINE CRANKED BUT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. ALSO WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. MECHANIC REPLACED THE GROUND WIRE AND DISTRIBUTOR, BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10061212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hallsville, MO
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHEN A TURN WAS MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10015447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wesley Chapel, FL
EQUIPMENT
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THEIR IS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED. THE CV JOINTS HAD BROKEN, GOT PART REPLACED. PROBLEM REOCCURED TWICES SINCE THEN. DEALER CONTACTED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burke, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WITHOUT WARNING, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. I LOST ALL ABILITY TO MOVE IN ANY OF THE FORWARD GEARS, AND STRUGGLED TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. ON THE SHOLDER, I DISCOVERED I COULD ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE, ALL OF THE FORWARD GEARS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LEEMYLES, AND THEY PERFORMED $2,200 IN REPAIRS. THIRTY DAYS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN, FORTUNATELY LEEMYLES HONORED THEIR WARRANTY AND PERFORMED ANOTHER COMPLETE REPAIR. IT IS NOW WORKING, BUT I AM AFRAID. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION HAS A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF FAILURE. I REQUEST THE NHTSA REVIEW THIS COMPLAINT, COUPLED WITH WHAT I SUSPECT ARE A LARGE QUANTITY OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AND FORCE FORD TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSES I INCURRED IN REPAIRING THIER FAULTY MACHINERY.
NHTSA complaint #764782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Twinsburg, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE (DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND/OR CORROSION) GOING OVER CURB. TIRE PUNCTURED; CAR NOT DRIVEABLE. TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF FRONT COIL SPRING & COMPONENTS. SPENT ADDITIONAL $$ TO HAVE CORRESPONDING RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACED (AS SAFETY PRECAUTION) ALTHOUGH DEALER DID NOT SUGGEST DOING SO. FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE BEEN ON EXPRESSWAY DRIVING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #762952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mankato, MN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CD4E TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO INHERANT DESIGN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #761671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THERE IS OIL LEAKING INTO THE SPARK PLUG CYLINDERS. A TUNE UP WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. OIL CONTINUES TO SEEP INTO THE SPARK PLUG CYLINDERS, AND THIS IS CAUSING A DEGRADATION IN PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS ROUGH OPERATION. WHAT IS MOST INTERESTING, HOWEVER, IS THAT MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH SUCH A PROBLEM. SEVERAL FORD PROBE OWNERS HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS AS WELL (DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS).
NHTSA complaint #761549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE STALLS AND HESITATES WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION STALLS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, STALLS, AND MAKES A TICKING NOISE, THE OIL PUMP AND MOTOR WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THIS IS A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8006177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS AND HESITATES WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION STALLS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, STALLS, AND MAKES A TICKING NOISE, THE OIL PUMP AND MOTOR WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THIS IS A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8006177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perrysburg, OH
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 20MPH HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING HEARD A BIG BANGING NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK, P20555R15 (FTX 2SR).
NHTSA complaint #8003914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT. Juliet, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOWLY LOSE POWER. DEALER IDENTIFIED TRANSMISSION AS THE PROBLEM. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8003452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highland HTS, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BOTH CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #753769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Natchez, MS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
PREVIOUSLY HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER/AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR AND OTHER MINOR ITEMS REPAIRED IN 04/1999. NOW 2 YEARS LATER I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM. IT JUST SEEM RIGHT THAT THE SAME MAJOR PROBLEM WOULD ARISE AGAIN SO SOON UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM SOMEWHERE IN THE EMISSION OF MY CAR OR THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME SINCE I HAVE LONG SURPASSED THE 100,000 REQUIRED MARK TO HAVE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. I WANTED TO KNOW IF OTHER PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED FOR THE SAME ISSUE OR AM I A LONER IN THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #752542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Natchez, MS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
PREVIOUSLY HAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER/AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR AND OTHER MINOR ITEMS REPAIRED IN 04/1999. NOW 2 YEARS LATER I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM. IT JUST SEEM RIGHT THAT THE SAME MAJOR PROBLEM WOULD ARISE AGAIN SO SOON UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM SOMEWHERE IN THE EMISSION OF MY CAR OR THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME SINCE I HAVE LONG SURPASSED THE 100,000 REQUIRED MARK TO HAVE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. I WANTED TO KNOW IF OTHER PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED FOR THE SAME ISSUE OR AM I A LONER IN THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #752542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.