FaultScore

Ford Probe engine problems

145 of the 1,483 complaints filed about the Ford Probe are about the engine — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1994.

145

Complaints

10%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

10

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1989 Probe 18 12.4%

Median failure at 98,950 miles

1990 Probe 12 8.3%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

1991 Probe 7 4.8%

Median failure at 15,000 miles

1992 Probe 4 2.8%
1993 Probe 25 17.2%

Median failure at 74,550 miles

1994 Probe 29 20.0%

Median failure at 99,000 miles

1995 Probe 18 12.4%

Median failure at 33,931 miles

1996 Probe 17 11.7%

Median failure at 89,584 miles

1997 Probe 15 10.3%

What owners said

1989 Ford Probe at 98,950 miles Honolulu, HI

ENGINE

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.

1994 Ford Probe at 220,000 miles West Richland, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE ONE 1994 FORD PROBE 2.0 IS AFFILIATED WITH TSB NO. 96-21-3 THAT RECOGNIZES A DEFECT IN THE OIL PUMP. THE DEFECT IS ASSOCIATED WITH LIFTER BLEED DOWN, LOW OR HIGH OIL PRESSURE AND LACK OF POWER. WHILE OPERATING THIS MOTOR VEHICLE IN A TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENT, I MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE EFFICIENTLY AND/OR CEASE THE MOTOR DUE TO IMPROPER DISBURSEMENT OF ENGINE OIL. THIS CONDITION COULD POTENTIALLY CREATE A HAZARD OR ACCIDENT TO MYSELF OR OTHERS

NHTSA complaint #10367694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford Probe at 74,550 miles Cleveland, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD PROBE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FUEL CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS OCCASIONALLY ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER TWO OR THREE MINUTES. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS. AS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,550 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10209159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Probe at 89,584 miles Pekin, 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.

1990 Ford Probe at 110,000 miles Ossian, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

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.

1995 Ford Probe at 100,000 miles Perth Amboy, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #10103438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Probe Troy, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. AS RESULT, VEHICLE LOST STEERING, AND BRAKE POWER. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OF THE OF THE ROAD. THREE MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE RESTARTED AGAIN. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10084018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Probe at 65,362 miles Springfield, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WON'T START. ENGINE CRANKS & SPARKS, BUT WILL NOT START. NO SMELL OF FUEL. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10068106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Ford Probe Antioch, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SOMETIMES VEHICLE STALLED WHEN PUT INTO GEAR AND ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *PH THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10068566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Probe at 15,000 miles VAN Nuys, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I READ YOUR COMPLAINT PAGE, HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 91 AND I HAVE ALL THE SAME PROBS, 1 PERSON SAID HE HAD 2 INCHES OF WATER IN THE CAR, TRY 6. THE PAINT WASNT RIGHT FROM DAY 1. THE CV JOINTS/AXELS WENT BAD AFTER 2 YEARS AND IVE GOT BY TILL NOW BUT THE RATTLE IS ANNOYING. THE EXHAUST SYS ALSO RATTLES. FRONT TIRES GO YEARLY. AIR CONDITIONER NEVER HAS BLOWN COLD. AND THE DOOR ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS TO HEAVY FOR THE LATCH, I RIDE 6 MNTHS OF EVERY YEAR WITH AN OPEN GLOVE COMPARTMENT.THE HATCHBACK LEAKS, AND THE PAINT WELL, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY GOT THAT BLEND. THE CAR ALWAYS RUNS COLD WHICH CAUSES THE ROUGH IDLE AND START AND 14 INCH WHEELS WERENT SUFFICIENT FOR A CAR THAT BIG. I WILL SAY THAT FORD BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO GET THE ITEMS FIXED I JUST CANT LEAVE IT THERE BI-WEEKLY.THEY DID REPAINT IT TWICE AND HONORED THE SEATBELT RECALL THIS YEAR, 2003.THE CAR NOW HAS 200,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER FAILED SMOG OR SPENT ONE DAY ON A TOW TRUCK OR IN A SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULDNT START. ITS BEEN A LONG NOISY AND EXTREMELY HOT RIDE, AND I HOPE THEY LEARNED AFTER THOSE BAD YEARS. BUT JUST RECENTLY I ASKED A MECHANIC ON HIS OPINION IF I SHOULD BUY A TAURUS. HE POINTED TO A CAR IN THE BACK OF HIS SHOP AND SAID THAT CAR IS PAYING FOR HIS SONS COLLEGE. 6TH TIME THIS YEAR HES HAD IT AND HE STRONGLY ADVISED ME TO NEVER PURCHASE A FORD CAR. ALL THE PROBS WITH THE PROBE ARE SAME WITH THE TAURUS. I MIGHT GET 50000 MORE MILES BUT DOUBT IT. BUT I DONT THINK THEY TRIED TO CHEAT ME, FORD WORKED WITH ME FROM THE DAY I SAT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STILL ARE.

NHTSA complaint #10069753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford Probe at 15,000 miles VAN Nuys, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I READ YOUR COMPLAINT PAGE, HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 91 AND I HAVE ALL THE SAME PROBS, 1 PERSON SAID HE HAD 2 INCHES OF WATER IN THE CAR, TRY 6. THE PAINT WASNT RIGHT FROM DAY 1. THE CV JOINTS/AXELS WENT BAD AFTER 2 YEARS AND IVE GOT BY TILL NOW BUT THE RATTLE IS ANNOYING. THE EXHAUST SYS ALSO RATTLES. FRONT TIRES GO YEARLY. AIR CONDITIONER NEVER HAS BLOWN COLD. AND THE DOOR ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS TO HEAVY FOR THE LATCH, I RIDE 6 MNTHS OF EVERY YEAR WITH AN OPEN GLOVE COMPARTMENT.THE HATCHBACK LEAKS, AND THE PAINT WELL, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY GOT THAT BLEND. THE CAR ALWAYS RUNS COLD WHICH CAUSES THE ROUGH IDLE AND START AND 14 INCH WHEELS WERENT SUFFICIENT FOR A CAR THAT BIG. I WILL SAY THAT FORD BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO GET THE ITEMS FIXED I JUST CANT LEAVE IT THERE BI-WEEKLY.THEY DID REPAINT IT TWICE AND HONORED THE SEATBELT RECALL THIS YEAR, 2003.THE CAR NOW HAS 200,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER FAILED SMOG OR SPENT ONE DAY ON A TOW TRUCK OR IN A SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULDNT START. ITS BEEN A LONG NOISY AND EXTREMELY HOT RIDE, AND I HOPE THEY LEARNED AFTER THOSE BAD YEARS. BUT JUST RECENTLY I ASKED A MECHANIC ON HIS OPINION IF I SHOULD BUY A TAURUS. HE POINTED TO A CAR IN THE BACK OF HIS SHOP AND SAID THAT CAR IS PAYING FOR HIS SONS COLLEGE. 6TH TIME THIS YEAR HES HAD IT AND HE STRONGLY ADVISED ME TO NEVER PURCHASE A FORD CAR. ALL THE PROBS WITH THE PROBE ARE SAME WITH THE TAURUS. I MIGHT GET 50000 MORE MILES BUT DOUBT IT. BUT I DONT THINK THEY TRIED TO CHEAT ME, FORD WORKED WITH ME FROM THE DAY I SAT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STILL ARE.

NHTSA complaint #10069753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Probe at 84,000 miles Kennebunk, ME Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE VALVE BOX IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LETTING GO I HAVE FIXED IT 2 TIMES AND IT JUST LET GO AGAIN I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD HAS TO BE LOOKIN INTO THE RECALLS ON THE FROD PROBE... I AM STILL TRING TO GET THE TRANMISSON FIXED AGAIN

NHTSA complaint #10069096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Probe LOS Angeles, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

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.

1997 Ford Probe Madeira, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PROBLEM ,WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, FORCING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10027217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Probe at 2,500 miles Deltona, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

1995 Ford Probe at 2,500 miles Deltona, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

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.

1994 Ford Probe at 99,000 miles Sacremental, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10011377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford Probe Independence, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED TWICE.THE SECOND FAILURE WAS 50000 MILES AFTER THE FIRST.

NHTSA complaint #786026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Ford Probe Bristol, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED, TAKEN TO DEALER 5-6 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #8011415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Probe problems