The 1990 Ford Probe has 4 safety recalls and 323 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (291 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints323filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths18 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
NHTSA recall 96V172002 · Sep 6, 1996 · 224,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: NOTE: PASSENGER SIDE (RIGHT) SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
NHTSA recall 96V172001 · Sep 6, 1996 · 224,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: NOTE: DRIVER'S SIDE (LEFT) PASSIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Drum
NHTSA recall 93E035000 · Oct 13, 1993 · 300 vehicles
Problem: THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Risk: IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
Problem: THROTTLE LEVERS MAY HAVE BEEN BENT DURING ASSEMBLY.
Risk: THROTTLE MAY STICK AND NOT RETURN FULLY TO IDLEPOSITION.
Fix: PLACE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON DELIVERY HOLD UNTIL REPAIRED.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Probe
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Probe
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Probe
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
Probe
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Probe
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
Probe
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Seat belts Front › Webbing; Front › Retractor
291
4
0
11
107,000 mi
Electrical system Ignition; Wiring › Front underhood
14
0
4
0
110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
Power train Driveline › Differential unit; Clutch assembly
5
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
4
3
0
7
—
Structure Body › Door; Frame and members › Underbody shields
4
0
0
0
—
Steering Rack and pinion; Steering wheel/handle bar
3
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
3
0
1
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 14, 2007Seat belts › Front › Retractor TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD PROBE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS RETRACTORS WOULD NOT WORK. THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE SEAT BELTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 182,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Jul 15, 1999 · 70,000 milesSeat belts › Front › Webbing TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD PROBE. APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS AGO THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO USE THE SEAT BELTS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO SAFETY RECALL # 96V172002 CONCERNING SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING. HOWEVER, FORD STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT EXIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,001, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *AK UPDATED 06/14/07 *TR
Dec 7, 2006Seat belts › Front DRIVER SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRACK. *NM
Apr 9, 2006 · 110,000 milesSeat belts › Front › Retractor 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. *JB
May 24, 2005 · 72,097 milesSeat belts › Front › Retractor DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RESTRAINT (SHOLDER HARNESS) DOESN'T FUNCTION. 1990 FORD PROBE LX. WAS ISSUE OF A RECALL IN 1996. SUBJECT RESTRAINT HAS FAILED THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR. FIRST REPAIR WAS UNDER VEHICLE WARRANTY. SECOND REPAIR TOOK PLACE PRIOR TO RECAL AND WAS PAID FOR BY OWNER. THIRD FAILURE HAS OCCURED WITHING THE LAST YEAR AND LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
May 2, 2005Seat belts › Front THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #96V172001) IS NOT BEING HONORED BY THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH THE MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF THE CAR IS THE SAME, THE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE MANUFACTURER DATABASE ASSOCIATING IT WITH THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HONOR THE RECALL SINCE IT TOTALLY MATCHES THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM STATED IN THE RECALL.
Apr 27, 2004 · 80,000 milesSeat belts › Front › Anchorage SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS DEFECTIVE. IT DOES NOT SECURE THE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 1996. SHOULDER BELT WAS REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR SHOULDER BELT UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS FOR IT. *AK
Mar 8, 2004 · 174,000 milesSeat belts › Front › Webbing RECALL 96V172001, WHILE PARKING OR DRIVING, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE LOCKING POSITION. *AK THE PART HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SHOULDER RESTRAINT WOULD BE COMPROMISED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. *SC *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP07001 · opened Jul 30, 2007 · closed Dec 5, 2007SEATBACK RECLINE MECHANISM FAILURE ON JUNE 29, 2007, NHTSA RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. RICHARD H. MCSWAIN OF MCSWAIN ENGINEERING INC., REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE SEATBACK RECLINER FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED A FAILURE MODE INVOLVING BYPASS OF THE SEATBACK STOP PIN WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FALSE OR PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE SECTOR AND PAWL TEETH, ALLOWING THE SEATBACK TO RECLINE IN A VEHICULAR COLLISION.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ALLEGED FAILURE MODE MAY BE THE RESULT OF PROGRESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR OF THE SEATBACK STOP PIN, THE SEATBACK STOP, AND OTHER SEAT COMPONENTS IN VEHICLES THAT ARE, ON AVERAGE, 17 YEARS OLD.AVAILABLE DATA DO NOT SUGGEST THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH A NOTABLE FREQUENCY. ODI REVIEWED ITS CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED OVER THE LAST NINETEEN YEARS AND FOUND NO COMPLAINTS OF SEATBACK COLLAPSE (WITH OR WITHOUT A VEHICLE COLLISION) IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CONSIDERING…
RQ98011 · opened Jul 31, 1998 · closed Feb 16, 1999AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT There is no summary currently available
PE96027 · opened Apr 16, 1996 · closed Sep 30, 1996 · led to recall 96V173000MAZDA RX7 AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE MALFUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM
EA94032 · opened Sep 8, 1994 · closed Sep 30, 1996 · led to recall 96V172001PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURES There is no summary currently available
PE94039 · opened May 4, 1994 · closed Sep 8, 1994PASS.RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION There is no summary currently available
PE91124 · opened Sep 9, 1991 · closed Dec 23, 1991ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES There is no summary currently available