1989 Ford Probe Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Ford Probe, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Seat belts2728.7%
- Engine1414.9%
- Electrical1010.6%
- Visibility1010.6%
- Transmission77.4%
- Brakes66.4%
- Fuel system44.3%
- Interior & seats33.2%
- Steering33.2%
- Body & structure22.1%
- Suspension22.1%
- Tires & wheels22.1%
- Driver assistance11.1%
- Heating & air conditioning11.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.1%
- Other / unspecified11.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE ROAD, A CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME AND I BRAKED HARD AND MY SEATBELT LOCKED. BUT AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE SEATBELT HAS NEVER WORKED THE SAME. THE SEATBELT DOESN'T LOCK, OR RETRACT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. I CAN'T EVEN FIND PARTS TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE CAR IS SO OLD. VERY UNSAFE!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1989 FORD PROBE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
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 *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, DRIVER'S SIDE IS CRACKED AND ABOUT TO FAIL THE DEALERSHIP ASKED FOR $379.00 FOR REPLACEMENT PART. I THEN CALLED WRECKING YARDS (2) AND EXPLAINED THAT I NEEDED A WINDOW REGULATOR FOR A FORD PROBE 1989 THEY INFORMED ME THAT PART IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE I WOULD HAVE TO GET ON A WAITING LIST DUE TO THE FACT THAT SO MANY HAVE FAILED. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE LEFT SIDE I WAS QUOTED $150 AND $125 BOTH PLACES NEEDED A WEEK TO GET THE PART. DUE TO THE STATEMENTS FROM THE WRECKING YARDS AND THE FACT THAT MY CAR HAS ONLY 2700 MILES ON IT AND IS ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS I THOUGHT MAYBE FORD MIGHT HAVE REALIZED THAT THESE PARTICULAR WINDOW REGULATORS WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH AND WOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE REGULATORS. *AK
I WANT TO REPORT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE SIMILAR TO THAT OF OTHER FORD OWNERS, AND THAT I HAVE FOUND THE CAUSE IN MY CAR. I HEARD A PORTION OF A RADIO NEWS BROADCAST THAT SAID TAURUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES. MY WIPER FAILURES BEGAN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. *AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED ON THREE OCCASIONS
LEFT REAR TRANSAXLE FAILED. ALSO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AND THE MOTOR AND RADIATOR FAILED. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THERE IS A GAS LEAK AT THE SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. ALSO, FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED.
DRIVER SEAT FAILURE WHEN EXCESS PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AS DRIVER GETS IN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR VIBRATES TERRIBLY FROM THE FRONT END SINCE NEW. ALL NINE TIMES I TOOK IN DURING THE FIRST YEAR, WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND DID NOT MENTION MY WARRANTY, AND I WAS GIVEN A $10,000 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR. FORD STILL REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT TURNS OUT THE FRONT AXLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NOT MADE BALANCED. REPLACING THEM AFTER THEY DESTROYED THE FRONT CV JOINTS SOLVED THE PROBLEM, BUT FORD GOT AWAY WITH A RIP OFF AND I SUFFERED FOR SIX YEARS AND 60,000 MILES. *TR
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. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED.
HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR VIBRATES TERRIBLY FROM THE FRONT END SINCE NEW. ALL NINE TIMES I TOOK IN DURING THE FIRST YEAR, WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND DID NOT MENTION MY WARRANTY, AND I WAS GIVEN A $10,000 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR. FORD STILL REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT TURNS OUT THE FRONT AXLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NOT MADE BALANCED. REPLACING THEM AFTER THEY DESTROYED THE FRONT CV JOINTS SOLVED THE PROBLEM, BUT FORD GOT AWAY WITH A RIP OFF AND I SUFFERED FOR SIX YEARS AND 60,000 MILES. *TR
UPPER PLATE THAT HOLDS THE STRUT HAS DISINTEGRATED, COULD CAUSE STRUT TO GO THROUGH THE HOOD AND THE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
TIRE SIZE 19570R14 WITH 20,000-25,000 MILES, AFTERMARKET AND WITH 65,000 RATING. REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM REST OF TIRE INTO 2 PIECES, AND SIDEWALL SHREADED INTO PIECES WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN MILD WEATHER CONDITIONS.*AK GOODYEAR AQUATRED II TIRE DOT MKRW5BHRD63. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DO NOT YET KNOW FULL DAMAGE COST AS OTHER CAR WAS DAMGED AND DON'T KNOW THE COST YET. NO SAFETY DEFECT IN SUMMARY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT REAR TRANSAXLE FAILED. ALSO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WORN HUB REPLACED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .