FaultScore

Ford Probe electrical problems

128 of the 1,483 complaints filed about the Ford Probe are about the electrical system — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1993.

128

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

28

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

1984 Probe 1 0.8%
1989 Probe 11 8.6%

Median failure at 133,475 miles

1990 Probe 14 10.9%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

1991 Probe 5 3.9%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

1992 Probe 9 7.0%
1993 Probe 34 26.6%

Median failure at 37,000 miles

1994 Probe 30 23.4%
1995 Probe 13 10.2%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

1996 Probe 6 4.7%

Median failure at 115,000 miles

1997 Probe 5 3.9%

Median failure at 16,897 miles

What owners said

1989 Ford Probe at 168,000 miles Lynnwood, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER PULLING ALL FUSES IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH VEHICLE OFF, TO CHECK THEM AND PUTTING THEM ALL BACK, VERIFYING SEVERAL TIMES THE CORRECT LOCATION, THE CAR CRANKS BUT NO LONGER STARTS. THERE IS NO SPARK, NO FUEL PRESSURE. IGNITION COIL GETS 12V POWER TO BOTH PRONGS UNTIL CRANKING, THEN LOSSES ALL POWER. 4EAT COMPUTER UNDER THE DASH REPORTS FAULT WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND THIS WAS VERIFIED BY TESTING IT MANUALLY USING A VOLTMETER, A BAD TPS WILL NOT CAUSE A NO START SITUATION ANYWAY. REPLACED THE 4EAT CONTROL MODULE AND NO CHANGE. TRIED PULLING CODES FROM ECM, NO CODES REPORTED. REPLACED ECM, NO CHANGE IN SITUATION. VERIFIED THE FUEL CUTOFF SWITCH WAS NOT TRIGGERED, VERIFIED THE RELAYS ARE WORKING. CAR IS DEAD AND I'M OUT OF MONEY TO FIX IT. IF FORD WOULD MAKE TOOLS LIKE THE BREAKOUT BOX AND 4EAT TESTER AFFORDABLE FOR CONSUMERS THAT WOULD BE GREAT, BUT NO.

NHTSA complaint #10788385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Ford Probe at 98,950 miles Honolulu, HI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

1995 Ford Probe at 70,000 miles Irvine, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL PERTAINING TO LIGHTING FOR THE CONTACT'S TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY CHECKED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10187138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Probe at 37,000 miles Montreat, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ICM OVERHEATED SEVERAL TIMES THIS SUMMER (ALWAYS WHILE ON INTERSTATE), CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE AT 65+MPH, ALL POWER LOST (BRAKERS, STEERING, ACCELERATION). CAR ONLY AT 37,000 MILES DURING FIRST FAILURE. REPLACED ICM/DISTRIBUTOR (ICM BUILT INSIDE DISTRIBUTOR) WITH A NON-OEM PART.

NHTSA complaint #10172616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Ford Probe at 110,000 miles Ossian, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

1990 Ford Probe at 110,000 miles Ossian, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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.

1990 Ford Probe at 110,000 miles Ossian, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

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.

1990 Ford Probe at 110,000 miles Ossian, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

1994 Ford Probe Brunswick, OH Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: THE DISTRIBUTER WENT OUT ON THE CONTACTS VEHICLE AND WHEN IT DID THE VEHICLE STOPPED CAUSING THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING TO GO OUT ALSO. IN RESULT THIS CAUSED A CRASH AND HER SON HIS LICENSE FOR A YEAR. NO WARNING SIGNS OR ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS THREE LETTERS FROM THREE DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS STATING THAT IF THE DISTRIBUTER WENT OUT HE WOULD HAVE LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS DID RESULT IN A AN ACCIDENT THE CONTACTS SON HIT A OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER. THE VECHILE HAS BEEN FIXED A NEW DISTRUBTER WAS PUT BACK ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10120462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Probe at 40,000 miles Lovettsville, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INVOLVING: THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER, INTERIOR LIGHTS, ETC. AS FAR AS SHE KNOWS THE BRAKE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE WORKING. THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND THEY WERE FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER JUST TWO DAYS AGO, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *AK *SB

NHTSA complaint #10119888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Probe at 130,000 miles Cambridge, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

(1) PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (2) LEARNED THE HORN DID NOT WORK (3) PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT HORN, AND REQUESTED INFORMATION FROM FORD AND 3 DEALERS WHERE IT WOULD BE LOCATED. ALL, EXCEPT 1 DEALER, REFUSED TO GIVE US ANY INFORMATION. THE LAST DEALER WAS NOT CERTAIN. FORD'S COMMENT WAS THIS WAS "PRIVATE COMPANY INFORMATION" OR "WE DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION". SUGGESTED WE CONTACT THEIR PRINTING COMPANY WHO WOULD SELL US SCHEMATICS. PRINTING COMPANY HAD NO IDEA WHICH SET OF SCHEMATICS WE WOULD NEED. VEHICLES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE WORKING HORNS FOR SAFETY REASONS. FORD WANTED TO SELL US $100 WORTH OF SERVICE TO INSTALL A $15 PART.

NHTSA complaint #10097939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Probe at 115,000 miles Bradenton, 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.

1997 Ford Probe Florissant, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DISTRUBUTOR WHICH CAUSED IT TURN OVER, BUT NOT START, AND CLUTCH WITH IN ONE MONTH. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AN DTHEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY, AND MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10050585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford Probe at 16,897 miles Carnegie, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE OWNING CAR. CAR CRANKS BUT WON'T START. HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR. THE INCIDENT DATE I CHOSE WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME 2 MONTHS AFTER A RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE AND HAS CONTINUED UNTIL TODAY. THE VEHICLE COMPONENT I CHOSE IS A GUESS SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN DETERMINED. MANY THINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10002816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Probe Poughkeepsie, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, AFTER A SHORT TIME CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AND EVENTUALLY GOT VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAILING PART WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTOR.

NHTSA complaint #562969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Ford Probe SAN Francisco, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALERSHIP SAD IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE.

NHTSA complaint #8009742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Probe Maplewood, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE DISTRIBUTOR WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS BEEN NOTED TO FAIL ON THESE ENGINES AS THE RECALL FOR PRIOR YEARS. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION HAS A HABIT OF FAILING. FOR MORE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND COMPLAINTS, PLEASE GO TO WWW.PROBETALK.COM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS, POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THEIR DISTRIBUTORS AND TRANSMISSIONS FAILING AT RELATIVELY LOW MILES.

NHTSA complaint #756318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Probe Warrenton, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THIS IS THE SECOND IGNITOR THIS CAR HAS HAD. THIS IS A DEFECT FROM FORD. IT IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE TO LET FORD GET AWAY WITH THIS INJUSTICE. PROBE OWNERS ALL HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY FORD MOTORS.

NHTSA complaint #754792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Probe Lock Haven, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT A GARAGE SINCE AUG. BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD RUN FOR A WHILE AND THEN JUST SHUT OFF. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE CAR COULD BE STARTED AGAIN, AND WOULD RUN FOR A WHILE A SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NARROWED THE PROBLEM DOWN TO THE DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY. A WEEK LATER I SAY AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT A FORD SETTLEMENT INVOLVING FAULTY IGNITIONS AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR THAT CAUSES ENGINE STALLS. AS FAR AS MY BRAKES GO, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CALIPERS NOT RELEASING. I PAID TO HAVE THEM FIXED, AND THEY FAILED AGAIN. I PAID TO HAVE THEM FIXED, AND THEY FAILED AGAIN. FINALLY I HAD THEM COMPLETELY REPLACED, IN TOTAL COSTING NEARLY 1500 DOLLARS.

NHTSA complaint #753944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Probe Melville, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. NARROWLY MISSED ACCIDENT. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY DISTRIBUTOR.

NHTSA complaint #753759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Probe problems