165 of the 1,483 complaints filed about the Ford Probe are about the braking system — 11% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1993.
165
Complaints
11%
Share of all complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD PROBE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS WERE RUSTED, WHICH PREVENTED THEM FROM MOVING. AS OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,948.
NHTSA complaint #10203360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
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.
PARKING BRAKE
RETRACTABLE SEAT BELTS JAM AND GET STUCK IN TRACK, MAKING UNSAFE CONDITION. HAVE HIT HEAD ON SEAT BELT LATCH CAUSING PAIN AND HAVE ALSO BEEN STUCK IN SEAT WITH SEAT BELT NOT RELEASING. ALSO WEARING OUT CAR BATTERY & SHORTING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEVERE MOISTURE IN TAIL LAMPS, FAILURE OF TAIL LAMPS CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION, FAILURE OF DRIVING LIGHTS. MANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE FROM DATE OF OWNERSHIP IN 1993.
NHTSA complaint #10154921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER, SPECIFICALLY THE PARKING BRAKE PIVOT PIN, IS PRONE TO SEIZURE DUE TO WATER AND DIRT INTRUSION PAST A RUBBER SEAL. REPAETED CLEANING AND LUBRICATING ONLY TEMPORARILY FORESTALLS THIS CONDITION. RESULTANT CALIPER DRAG CAUSES INDREASED PAD WEAR AND HIGH TEMPERATURES, A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD IN ADDITION TO GREATLY INCREASED BRAKES PAD/ROTOR WEAR. EVENTUAL HEAT, WEAR AND CORROSIVE STICKING RENDER THE PARKING BRAKE VERY INEFFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS CALIPER TWICE DUE TO THE SAME CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10120010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY 1995 FORD PROBE HAS HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS INCLUDING ONE OF THE MOST RECENT - HAVING TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION'S HAVE NOW OWNED THE CAR FOR 20,000 MILES OR 3 1/2 YEARS AND HAVE SPENT OVER FOUR AND A HALF THOUSAND DOLLARS ON "PRE-MATURE" PROBLEMS. THE AMOUNT DOES NOT INCLUDE GENERAL SERVICES. THE CAR HAS NOW REACHED 87,000 MILES. ONE DOES NOT EXPECT A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE TO HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. IF I WAS ABLE TO AFFORD A NEW CAR I WOULD SEND MY FORD PROBE TO THE SCRAP YARD, I WOULD NOT WANT A STRANGER TO SUFFER CAR PROBLEMS AS I HAVE. BUT BEING A FULL TIME STUDENT WHO PAYS HER OWN WAY I CAN LITTLE AFFORD SUCH COSTS AS NEW TRANSMISSIONS A NEW CAR. I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO FIND IN MY RESEARCH ON-LINE THAT MANY PROBE OWNERS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR CARS. CONVERSATIONS WITH MECHANICS; WHICH HAVE BEEN MANY, HAVE FOLLOWED THE SAME PATTERN, "ITS A FORD WITH MAZDA PARTS,GET RID OF IT, EVERYBODY HAS PROBLEMS WITH FORD CARS, THEIR TERRIBLE CARS." AFTER MANY EXPERT OPINIONS MY QUESTION TO YOU IS," WHY?" I LOOK AFTER MY CAR,(I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM A DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE CAR FROM MY FRIEND) I NOW KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT CARS! WHY ARE SUCH PROBLEMATIC CARS ALLOWED TO BE SOLD? WHY ARE CARS WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE CAUSING SO MUCH HAVIC IN PEOPLES LIVES? THIS IS A QUESTION THAT MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND CORPORATIONS MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MUCH GRIEVE. IT IS NOT FAIR ON THE CONSUMER AND AS A GOVERNMENT BODY I IMPLORE THAT YOU PLEASE TAKE A SERIOUS AND COMPASSIONATE NOTE OF MY COMPLAINT AND COMPLAINT FROM OTHER OWNERS. IT IS NOT FAIR. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT PEOPLE HAVE NO VOICE AND NO ONE CARES TO LISTEN. MASS RE- OCCURRENCE OF CAR PROBLEMS IS AN ISSUE THAT MUST BE LOOKED INTO. MY WINDOWS RATTLE TOO - A NOISY PROBE GIFT THAT IRRITATES PROBE OWNERS. I WOULD GREET A RESPONSE HAPPILY IN THE MIST OF THE REALM OF CAR DARKNESS, FAITHFULLY, SATCHYA FARIAS.
NHTSA complaint #10054391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 1995 FORD PROBE GT . FROM THE START THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO A FORD DEALER OVER 25 TIMES ! FORD HAS MANY SERVICE NOTICE DEFECTS OUT ON THIS CAR ! WATER GETS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN WASHED OR IN THE RAIN ! THE HEAD GASKETS LEAK FROM DAY ONE ! THE MOON ROOF HAS RUST ON IT ! THE HATCH BACK SHOCKS ARE WORTHLESS ! THE ALARM COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO ! THE CV AXLES LEAK TRANS OIL ! FORD MADE A NEW CV BOOT TO STOP THE OIL LEAKS ! NO ONE EVER TOLD ME ! THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 30000 MILES ! PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED AT 16500 MILES ! ENGINE HAS A TICKING NOISE ! THE TRANS THROW OUT BEARING IS GOING BAD ! THE CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES !!!!!!! THE CD PLAYER WENT OUT TWO DAYS AGO . THE WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN ! THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK ! THE CRUISE CONTROL TAKES OFF BY ITSELF ! THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BY FORD 2 TIMES ! MOON ROOF LEAKS AND KNOCKS ! AC CONTROL SWITCH GETS VERY HOT ! REAR WIPER IS LOOSE ! PAINT IS PEELING !ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AT ONLY 45000 MILES !!!!!!!!! THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY ! I THINK I SHOULD GET MORE THAN 45000 MILES OUT OF A NEW CAR ! FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THIS 45000 MILE LEMON ! THE REASON IT ONLY HAS 45000 MILES IS WE CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR MOST OF THE TIME ! WE DO NOT WANT TO DIE IN THIS LEMON !
NHTSA complaint #10021479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REAR CALIPER BRAKES SEIZED ON MY 1994 FORD PROBE GT, CAUSING EXTREME OVERHEATING AND SMOKING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
CAME OUT OF GEAR (PARKING BREAK HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT ) ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND ROLLED 50 FEET DOWN HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE WHOLE BACK END CAME OFF. THE CAR IS MADE OF NOTHING. THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I THINK ALL FORD PRODUCTS ARE BAD AND COST TO MUCH TO FIX WHEN IT IS FORD'S PROBLEM BEFORE THEY EVER COME OUT OF THE FACTORY. EVERYONE I TALK WITH HAS THE SAME TO SAY. I WOULD NOT HAVE A FORD. NOW I HAVE TO GET A NEW CAR AND IT SURE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER FORD. I ALSO HAVE HAD A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, ITS SO MUCH I CAN NOT LIST ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10007877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
PEDAL WILL STICK IN OPEN POSITION WHEN LETTING UP ON PEDAL. BRAKES WILL NOT SLOW DOWN CAR UNTIL AFTER 25 SECONDS OF APPLYING BRAKES HARD. THIS OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY FORD DEALER TECHS. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS.TWICE,MORRIES FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. MR
NHTSA complaint #768549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WITHOUT ANY BRAKING ACTION. CONSUMER USED PARK BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER ADDED THAT THE DEALER WHO SOLD HIM THE VEHICLE, HAD GOTTEN THE BRAKE LINE FIXED, BUT NOT THE GREASE CAP FOR THE ENIGNE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
NO SNAP RING AVAILABLE FROM DEALER OR PARTS (DRUM/BEARING) SUPPLIES. COMPLETE REAR TIRE AND DRUM ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. LUCKY THAT SPEED WASN'T TOO HIGH - POTENTIAL FOR GETTING KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #762792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
NO SNAP RING AVAILABLE FROM DEALER OR PARTS (DRUM/BEARING) SUPPLIES. COMPLETE REAR TIRE AND DRUM ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. LUCKY THAT SPEED WASN'T TOO HIGH - POTENTIAL FOR GETTING KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #762792 — 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.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE: PARKING BRAKE IS USELESS. BOTH CALIPERS REPLACED BECAUSE PARKING BRAKE FROZEN. BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND THEN PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, I ASSUME THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING. I AM SURE IT WILL NOT BE LONG AND I WILL BE REPLACING MY BRAKE PADS AGAIN, UNLESS OF COURSE THERE IS A FIRE DUE TO THIS CALIPER PROBLEM IT SEEMS THE 1994 PROBE HAS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WERE OTHERS THAT HAD THEIR SPARK PLUG WELLS FILL UP WITH OIL. THAT HAPPENED TO MY PROBE ALSO WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 50000 MILES DRIVEN ON THE VEHICLE. NOW, I AM EXPERIENCING MY PROBE STALLING OUT FOR NO REASON WHILE IT IS ON THE ROAD? THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING AND I NOTICE THAT THE RECALL FOR THE FORD IGNITION MODULES DO NOT INCLUDE THE PROBE, BUT I WONDER IF THIS IS RELATED. I AM ALSO NOW HAVING ANTIFREEZE LEAKS AND I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT IT IS THE HEAD GASKET. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THERE ARE GASKET PROBLEMS WITH 93-95 FORDS AND THE OIL FILLING UP IN THE SPARK PLUG WELLS MIGHT BE AN INDICATOR. ALL OF MY PROBLEMS ARE LISTED MANY MANY TIMES ON THIS SITE AND OTHER, ESPECIALLY THE BRAKE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #758022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
PARKING BRAKE: PARKING BRAKE IS USELESS. BOTH CALIPERS REPLACED BECAUSE PARKING BRAKE FROZEN. BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND THEN PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, I ASSUME THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING. I AM SURE IT WILL NOT BE LONG AND I WILL BE REPLACING MY BRAKE PADS AGAIN, UNLESS OF COURSE THERE IS A FIRE DUE TO THIS CALIPER PROBLEM IT SEEMS THE 1994 PROBE HAS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WERE OTHERS THAT HAD THEIR SPARK PLUG WELLS FILL UP WITH OIL. THAT HAPPENED TO MY PROBE ALSO WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH LESS THAN 50000 MILES DRIVEN ON THE VEHICLE. NOW, I AM EXPERIENCING MY PROBE STALLING OUT FOR NO REASON WHILE IT IS ON THE ROAD? THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING AND I NOTICE THAT THE RECALL FOR THE FORD IGNITION MODULES DO NOT INCLUDE THE PROBE, BUT I WONDER IF THIS IS RELATED. I AM ALSO NOW HAVING ANTIFREEZE LEAKS AND I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT IT IS THE HEAD GASKET. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THERE ARE GASKET PROBLEMS WITH 93-95 FORDS AND THE OIL FILLING UP IN THE SPARK PLUG WELLS MIGHT BE AN INDICATOR. ALL OF MY PROBLEMS ARE LISTED MANY MANY TIMES ON THIS SITE AND OTHER, ESPECIALLY THE BRAKE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #758022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
IN MARCH OF 1999 THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER OF MY FORD PROBE LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE WHILE I DROVE AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING FROM THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM OR OTHERWISE - I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE FROM THAT WHEEL. AT THE TIME, I HAD BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER (DILLON FORD), WHO SAID THAT BOTH HAD FAILED. ON MAY 18, 2001 (ABOUT 20,000 MILES LATER) THE REPLACEMENT LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER AGAIN LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AGAIN CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO OVERHEAT AND BURN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS VEHICLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME SITUATION - HOWEVER, I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO. ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND THEY REFUSE TO GET INVOLVED, SAYING THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL OR TECH. SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THAT PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS UNSAFE TO ME - I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME.
NHTSA complaint #745543 — 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:POWER ASSIST
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR STOPS RUNNING AND THEN JUST STARTS UP AGAIN.ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN FOR OVER 1 HOUR LASTEST INCIDENT CAR STOPPED RUNNING ON ROAD ANB WE COASTED OFF ROAD AND THEN WE RESTARTED CAR THESE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURED ABOUT 8/9 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS NO CLUE AS TO WHY THIS IS OCCURRING ONLY TO TRY AND REPLACE THIS OR THAT COMPONENT TO NO AVAIL THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD AT 60 MPH IN TRAFFIC OR DOWNHILL WITH NO ASSISTED BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #740402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.