1992 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 1992 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 belts5562.5%
- Electrical66.8%
- Transmission55.7%
- Engine44.5%
- Visibility22.3%
- Suspension22.3%
- Steering22.3%
- Brakes22.3%
- Tires & wheels22.3%
- Exterior lighting11.1%
- Heating & air conditioning11.1%
- Driver assistance11.1%
- Fuel system11.1%
- Interior & seats11.1%
- Body & structure11.1%
- Other / unspecified11.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.1%
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY BOOKS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. SHE REFERENCE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V172001, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING AND STATED THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY HAVE SENT HER SEVERAL LETTERS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN WITHOUT THE SHOULDER BELT FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. UPDATED 11/10/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE BELT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO LOOK UP THE REMEDY IN THE DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE (96V172001 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 07/06/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. UPDATED 09/21/10
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILED. *YH
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE IGNITION WAS REWIRED, CONSUMER BELIEVES THESE IGNITION PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE TFI MODULE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A 92 PROBE V6 WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT I HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING ONE WEEK WHEN I WAS TRAVELING TO SCHOOL AND WHEN I CAME HOME THAT WEEKEND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. AFTER LETTING IT SIT I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME, ALTHOUGH IT SHIFTED ROUGH FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST AND TO SECOND, THEN WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THIRD AT ALL. I HAD TO USE MANUAL SHIFT MODE TO KEEP IT FROM SHIFTING INTO THIRD. WHILE CHANGING TRANSMISSION FLUID IT WE NOTICED A BURNT OIL SMELL TO IT. CHANGING THE FLUID HAD LITTLE EFFECT. THE WORST THING IS THAT I WAS ALSO LOOKING AT A 91 GRAND AM 4 CYL FOR $200 LESS. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE OIL PAN SEAL WAS REPLACED BY ADAMS FORD IN BELTON MISSOURI TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AFTER THE PART REPLACED WAS OUT OF WARRANTY !!! NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN AFTER JUST A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF OF DRIVING!! ADAMS FORD WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT 4 TIMES IN 7 YEARS IS A LITTLE MUCH. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH & WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE IS STALLING AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPERS PARK IN VERTICAL POSITION ON WINDSHIELD OBSCURING VISION. DEALER REPLACED WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY, WIPER SWITCH AND HARNESS. TOTAL $820.87 FOR REPAIRS. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM-MANY PROBES BEING DRIVEN WITH WIPERS PARKED ON WINDSHIELD. FORD ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS #9546 AND#9582. CAN I GET REIMBURSED FROM FORD FOR THIS SAFETY RELATED REPAIR? *AK
POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK WITH FAST TURNS, ELECTRIC MIRRORS HAVE FAILED TWICE, FOGGING UP DURING WINTER, PLASTIC TRUNK COVER KEEPS FALLING DOWN. HOOD ALWAYS MAKES VIBRATING NOISE.
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
LEFT STRUT MOUNT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CREAK/GROAN/GRIND. *AK
ALL FOUR STRUT ARE LEAKING. TT
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
POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK WITH FAST TURNS, ELECTRIC MIRRORS HAVE FAILED TWICE, FOGGING UP DURING WINTER, PLASTIC TRUNK COVER KEEPS FALLING DOWN. HOOD ALWAYS MAKES VIBRATING NOISE.
TRAVELING ON ICY ROADS VEHICLE SLID, HIT CURB AND STEERING ASSEMBLY BROKE. *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
BRAKING SYSTEM IS PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. BRAKE CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK WITH FAST TURNS, ELECTRIC MIRRORS HAVE FAILED TWICE, FOGGING UP DURING WINTER, PLASTIC TRUNK COVER KEEPS FALLING DOWN. HOOD ALWAYS MAKES VIBRATING NOISE.
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
THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE, AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *JB
DRIVING HOME, BRAKED; HEARD SOMETHING POP; PUT CAR ALARM ON; TOOK TIRE OFF; TIRE ARM WAS BROKE IN HALF. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILED. *YH
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
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE IGNITION WAS REWIRED, CONSUMER BELIEVES THESE IGNITION PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA WITH THE TFI MODULE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
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
MOTOR REVS AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPM'S. ACCELERATES WHEN DRIVING WITH NO FOOT ON THE GAS PEDDLE. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND IN NEUTRAL STILL REVS AT HIGH RPMS.
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
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER AFTERWARDS . *AK SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. DISTRIBUTOR CAP REPLACED. *SLC
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
HEAD LIGHT WIRING SHORTED,CAUSED FUSE TO TRIP AND I SMELLED SMOKE
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
FADED PAINT.
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
HITCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO VEHICLE (DIXIE TRAILER HITCH) IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CARRY 2,000 LBS AS STATED, ATTACHED TO THIN SHEET METAL. MJS
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
TRANSAXLE FAILED.
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 .