RoadVitals

1990 Ford Probe

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
323
Latest Aug 14, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Sep 6, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
12
18 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 323 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Ford Probe, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 34 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96V172001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Sep 6, 1996
224,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
96V172002

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Sep 6, 1996
224,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
93E035000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

Oct 13, 1993
300 units potentially affected
The defect: THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
The 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.
The remedy: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
MIDAS INTERNATIONAL CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP07001ClosedDefect Petition

SEATBACK RECLINE MECHANISM FAILURE

Opened Jul 30, 2007
Closed Dec 5, 2007

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 THE ADVANCED AGE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY DOES NOT APPLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BY THE FIRST PURCHASER MORE THAN 10 CALENDAR YEARS BEFORE AN ORDER IS ISSUED. THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RQ98011ClosedRecall Query

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT

Opened Jul 31, 1998
Closed Feb 16, 1999

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
PE96027ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

MAZDA RX7 AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE

Opened Apr 16, 1996
Closed Sep 30, 1996

MALFUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 96V173000
EA94032ClosedEngineering Analysis

PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURES

Opened Sep 8, 1994
Closed Sep 30, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 96V172001

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 323
Seat belts
Filed Aug 14, 2007

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.

NHTSA ID
10199571
Incident
Aug 14, 2007
Seat belts
Filed May 3, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10189674
Incident
Jul 15, 1999
Mileage
70,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 8, 2006

DRIVER SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRACK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10175616
Incident
Dec 7, 2006
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+5 more
Filed Apr 10, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10154921
Incident
Apr 9, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSeat belts
Filed May 24, 2005

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.

NHTSA ID
10122057
Incident
May 24, 2005
Mileage
72,097 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 2, 2005

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.

NHTSA ID
10119363
Incident
May 2, 2005
Seat belts
Filed Apr 27, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10071688
Mileage
80,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 8, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10063178
Incident
Mar 8, 2004
Mileage
174,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01124

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ON SOME VEHICLES, ENGINE OIL MAY CONTINUE TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AREA AFTER AN ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

13714

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

INFORMATION REGARDING THE RECALL 96S48 & 96S99 (MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RAIL AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY). *MJS

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99129

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

EXPERIENCING A WHINE / BUZZ TYPE NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT RADIO OR TWO-WAY RADIO ON VEHICLES WITH AN IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Probe by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999100—
1998000—
1997274055.8
1996524050.4
1995864054.1
19941664159.2
19932054160.1
1992793257.5
19911774663.8
1990Viewing3234664.5
1989771454.9
1988001—
1987000—
1986000—
1984100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.