Vehicles / Ford / Probe / 1991

1991 Ford Probe

177 federal complaints (198 component records) · 3 recall campaigns on file · 6 federal investigations · 31 service bulletins · 4 Canadian recalls
See all 11 model years of the Ford Probe →
Engine
2.2L 4-cyl
Fuel
Premium, Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
17 city / 23 hwy
Federal complaints
177
Recall campaigns
3
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Seat belts
149
Glass & wipers
13
Engine & cooling
7
Suspension
5
Power train
5
Electrical system
5
Steering
3
Speed control
3
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 1 complaints01 years old: 1 complaints2 years old: 2 complaints3 years old: 7 complaints4 years old: 20 complaints5 years old: 32 complaints56 years old: 26 complaints7 years old: 11 complaints8 years old: 6 complaints9 years old: 8 complaints10 years old: 2 complaints1011 years old: 0 complaints12 years old: 2 complaints13 years old: 1 complaints14 years old: 0 complaints15 years old: 2 complaints1516 years old: 0 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 121 of 177 complaints with a usable failure date.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Seat belts

149 complaint records3 crash reports
"DRIVER'S SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT IS INOPERATIVE, SHOULDER HARNESS IS STUCK IN FORWARD POSITION, WON'T MOVE TOWARDS DRIVER...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seat belts parts in the directory →

Glass & wipers

13 complaint records1 fire report
"WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED, CAUSING THE WIPER BLADES TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW, THUS IMPAIRING FORWARD VISION...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse glass & wipers parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

7 complaint records1 fire report
"HARNESS MODIFICATION/REPAIR KIT NOTICE SENT BY FORD MOTOR, HOWEVER PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER THEREFORE VEHICLE CANNOT BE FIXED...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
DP07001
opened Jul 2007
closed Dec 2007SeatsSEATBACK 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.
RQ98011
opened Jul 1998
closed Feb 1999Seat BeltsAUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT
There is no summary currently available
PE96027
opened Apr 1996
closed Sep 1996Seat BeltsMAZDA RX7 AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE - led to recall 96V173000
MALFUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM
EA94032
opened Sep 1994
closed Sep 1996Seat BeltsPASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURES - led to recall 96V172002
There is no summary currently available
PE94039
opened May 1994
closed Sep 1994Seat BeltsPASS.RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION
There is no summary currently available
Show 1 more closed investigations
InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
PE91013
opened Nov 1990
closed Jan 1991SteeringSTEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
There is no summary currently available

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
96V172002Seat BeltsNOTE: 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...Normally free
96V172001Seat BeltsNOTE: 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...Normally free
91V016000Seat BeltsBRACKETS MOUNTING AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AN UNDERSTRENGTH SPOT WELD.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
1996153
1996-09-30
Seats And Restraints8,022THE RAIL OF THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT TRACK ASSEMBLY MAY WEAR SUFFICIENTLY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO CAUSE THE CABLE WHICH PUSHES AND PULLS THE MOVEABLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY TO JAM IN THE TRACK, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TRACK ASSEMBLY TO BE...
1995099
1995-06-13
Electrical25,196THE FUEL PUMP WIRING ASSEMBLY MAY CORRODE DUE TO ROAD SALT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL BRIDGE DEVELOPING BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER TERMINALS.
1992100
1992-08-21
Emissions1,840NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 3.0 LITRE ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR MAY WEAR PREMATURELY CAUSING INTERRUPTION OF THE SENSOR SIGNAL.
1991040
1991-03-12
Seats And Restraints69THE BRACKETS TO WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED UNDER THE CENTRE CONSOLE MAY HAVE UNDERSTRENGTH SPOT WELDS THAT MIGHT REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SHOULDER BELT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
01157
Aug 2001
Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
01124
Jun 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingON 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
Jan 2000
Power TrainINFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
13714
Jan 2000
Seat BeltsINFORMATION REGARDING THE RECALL 96S48 & 96S99 (MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RAIL AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY). *MJS
99196
Sep 1999
EquipmentINFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Show 26 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
99129
Jun 1999
Fuel SystemINFORMATION ON "WHINING" / "BUZZING" NOISE COMING THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT OR TWO-WAY RADIO SPEAKER CAUSED BY THE FUEL PUMP. *TT
99816
May 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT
98246
Dec 1998
Electrical SystemFORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
9852
Apr 1998
TiresINFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
9873
Apr 1998
EquipmentEXPERIENCING A WHINING / BUZZING NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT RADIO OR TWO-WAY RADIO. *TT
9874
Apr 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingA NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC
9864
Mar 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingINFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT
985A13
Mar 1998
Service BrakesTHE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC
985A12
Mar 1998
EquipmentRECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT
9848
Mar 1998
EquipmentANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC
9768
Mar 1997
Unknown Or OtherFUEL ECONOMY- CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS VERSUS VEHICLE USAGE. *JD
97511
Mar 1997
Power TrainFLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
BC3131972197
Feb 1997
Seat BeltsRECALLS 96S48 AND 96S99 - PARTS SHORTAGE - PROBE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RAIL AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY ARE IN EXTREMELY SHORT SUPPLY. *TW
BC1031197020
Feb 1997
Seat BeltsRECALLS 96S48 & 96S99: 90-92 PROBE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RAIL & MOTOR ASSY FOR RECALLS 96S48 & 96S99 ARE IN EXTREMELY SHORT SUPPLY- THE RAIL & MOTOR ASSEMBLY ARE CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER WITH A VERY LONG LEAD TIME REQUIRED TO RESTOCK- IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE...
962612
Dec 1996
Power TrainTRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW
962516
Dec 1996
Power TrainAXKE LEAKS - FLUID LEAKS FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AT AXLE SHAFTS - NEW DESIGN REPLACEMENT CV JOINT BOOTS. *TW
96246
Nov 1996
Electrical SystemWIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW
96249
Nov 1996
Power TrainTORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW
96221
Oct 1996
VisibilityWINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW
95212
Oct 1995
Service BrakesTHE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM.
9582
Apr 1995
VisibilityA REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW
BC8914950401
Apr 1995
Service BrakesUNKNOWN
9562
Mar 1995
Service BrakesROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW
9535
Feb 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO CARBON DEPOSITS ON THE EGR VALVE. *TW
9546
Feb 1995
VisibilityWIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT - UPGRADED SERVICE KITS. *TW
9523
Jan 1995
Fuel SystemERRATIC DISTANCE-TO-EMPTY AND FUEL GAUGE READINGS. *TW

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Pull and release every belt.A belt that retracts slowly or a buckle that will not latch matches this vehicle's seat-belt cluster.
  2. Run the wipers and washers, and test every window.Slow or stuck regulators, streaking wipers, and windshield cracks are this vehicle's visibility complaints.
  3. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Ford Probe →