NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKES WHICH ARE MADE WITH NON-ABSESTOS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO RUSTED THROUGH AND A SQUEAKING NOISE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH MAY RESULT A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
1993 Ford Probe complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1993 record →
THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. *AK
CAR STALLS AT INTERSECTIONS MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER. *AK
I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THE PROBE THAT FACED THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 02/14/0 DUE TO THE THE DISTRIBUTOR SYSTEM WAS REPLACED TOTAL $515.28 AND THE DIAGNOSED AND FILTERING STSEM WAS REPLACE AT $161.00. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS 03/03/00 WHERE PHIL FITTS SPOTTED A PLUGGED IDLE AIR VALVE THAT WAS REPLACED. PHIL FITTS. 3250 WILMINGTON RD, NEW CASTLE, PA 16105. I DIDN'T MIND THE OCCURANCE ON 03/03/00 BUT THE ONE 2/14/00 WAS QUOTED AS SOMETHING THAT WAS RARE ON CAR FOR THE WHOLE DISTRIBUTOR SYSTEM TO GO. I HAD TO BE TOWED TICE WHICH I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT I HAVE INSURANCE TO COVR THAT.WHEN I BROKE DOWN IT WAS A COLD EVENING AND THE CAR HAD JUST DIED AND STARTED TO SMOKE TO ME THAT WAS ALOT OF MONEY TO PUT IN A CAR THAT YOU JUST PURCHASED 2 MONTHS PRIOR.I ALWAYS LIKE DEALING WITH FORD I HOPE SOMEONE COULD LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME I KNOW THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR USED BUT, TO ME THAT IS ALOT OF MONEY. THANK YOU, CAROLE NOCERAE
AFTER RELEASING THE HAND BRAKE THE REAR WHEELS REMAIN LOCKED. I UNDERSTOOD THAT TIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I HAD TO DRIVE 6 MILES FROM WORK WITH THE REAR WHEELS ALMOST LOCKED AND DUE TO THE OVERHEATING OF THE REAR DISCS, WITH ALMOST NO BRAKES!!!! FORD HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! I HAVE CONTACTED A FORD AUTHORIZED DEALER AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. I AM SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE 93 PROBE. IF FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FIXED IT IN '95 AND LATER PROBES WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THE 93 AND 94 MODELS??? THERE SHOUD BE SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY SHOULD DO ABOUT THIS! FORD HAS TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART THAT HAS A VALUE OF MORE THAN 250 $. PEASE HELP US! ALIN.
HATCHBACK WOULD NOT STAY UP. IT HIT CONSUMER ON THE HEAD AND BACK ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. *AK
AT 50,000 LOST STEERING CONTROL AT 50 MPH. FELT LIKE I HAD LOST POWER ASSIST. HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE ON A HIGHWAY EXIT. STEERING RETURNED AFTER STOPPING AND FORCING THE WHEEL BACK A FORTH. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO RECALLS AND WOULD NOT REPAIR. PREVIOUSLY BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FROZE CLOSED. THIS OCCURRED AT 38,000 MILES. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE REFERRING TO THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
IDLE AIR SPEED CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED IN 1995 & HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC, SLOWING UP UPON APPROACHING A STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO COVER COST OVER $1,000. ORIGINAL OWNER. DEALER SAID PART WAS ONLY GOOD FOR 12 MONTHS. *AK
REIMBURSEMENT IS DESIRED SINCE OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VERY BADLY. . TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *AK
WHEN COMING TO A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE DIED. . SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITH FOOT ON GAS PEDAL TO KEEP VEHICLE IDLING, AND IT REVVED AND THEN IDLED. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IT WOULD STALL. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED IT FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME, WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT IT WAS REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED, FAILING TO RELEASE. SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS. *AK
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN VEHICLE IS COMING TO A STOP. I AM UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO IDLE WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, BUT THE PROBLEM INTERMITENTLY PERSISTS. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED THE IAC VALVE, THE DISTRIBUTOR, THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP, THE PLUGS AND PLUG WIRES, AND NOW THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE IAC VALVE FOR A 2ND TIME! BY REVIEWING THIS DATABASE I SEE THAT MANY OTHER PROBE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THE DEALER HAS A SOLUTION TO FIX IT. ALSO, AFTER TALKING TO FORD'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PHONE LINE, IT DOES NOT APPEAR AS IF FORD IS EVEN WILLING TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM! IT COSTS ME AT LEAST $500 EVERYTIME I HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SO THAT THEY CAN ATTEMPT TO "FIX" THIS REOCCURRING PROBLEM AND I AM GETTING QUITE FED UP WITH THE ENTIRE SITUATION! *AK
WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN DRIVE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL. HOWEVER, WHEN CHANGING TO DRIVE #2 VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL. DLR HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK
REAR CALIPERS SIEZED, FAILING TO RELEASE BRAKE PADS FROM DISC. *AK
PASSANGER SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP, DESTROYING ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, MANY PROBE OWNERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM, VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *AK
LEFT REAR CALIPER LOCKED UP ON A COLD MORNING. WAS NOT ABLE TO TELL, DROVE FOR 1 MILE, ROTOR HEATED UP ENOUGH TO TURN CHERRY RED, SMOKING VERY BADLY. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM, EVERY '93 & '94 FORD PROBE GT HAS THIS PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE NO PARKING BRAKE WHICH I SHOULD HAVE. I AM ALWAYS HEARING OF PROBLEMS FROM OTHERS ON A PROBE FAQ SITE. YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM OTHERS ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE FORD RECALL THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM! *AK
THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT OF 1993/94 FORD PROBE GT'S. I HEAR A REDESIGN CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH 95 MODELS. JUST NO ONE WANTS TO PAY FOR THE DEFECT FOR US 93 OWNERS. SEE HTTP://WWW.KLIO.NET/PROBE/ISSUES.HTML FOR MORE INFORMATION. *AK
PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UP TWICE. FORD DIDN'T REPLACE UNTIL CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. FIRST LOCKUP AT 2/13/95, MILEAGE 24,273, BUT NO CALIPER REPLACEMENT, JUST A LUBE AND REPOSITION. SUBSEQUENT INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS REPORTED TO DEALER, BUT UNREPRODUCIBLE AT DEALER. SECOND CALIPER SEIZURE ON 2/4/97 AT 52,941 MILES. DEALER REPLACED CALIPER AT $400 COST TO ME. THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON 1993 AND 1994 PROBES AND MAZDA MX-6S THAT COULD LEAD TO CALIPER SEIZURES WHILE DRIVING. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *AK
NO SUMMART LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY
CLOCK SPRING IN AIRBAG HAS BROKEN, AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THIS IS FIXED. FORD IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR REPAIR SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN IF THE LIGHT HAD NOT STARTED BLINKING. YOUR WEBSITE HAS MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING AIRBAGS FOR THIS YEAR MODEL.
THE PRO-LOCK SYSTEM THAT IS IN MY CAR IS HAVING TO BE REMOVE BECAUSE IT IS SPARKING. THE ITEM HAS BEEN DIS-CONTINUED. THE DEALERS WERE NOT SURE WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN I CALLED THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT USED ANYMORE. ONE DEALER SAID HE HAS TO DO THE
WHENEVER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN. TO PREVENT THIS, DRIVER HAS TO HOLD DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE APPLYING THE GAS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR FOR THE FOURTH TIME, AND WON'T KICK INTO A HIGHER GEAR. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAULTY CAUSING HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST-2ND, TAPPING NOISE IS ALSO HEARD ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. NLM
HAND BRAKE FAILS TO RELEASE. REAR CALIPERS SIEZE REAR CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES- APPROXIMATELY EVERY 43K MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM I HAVE SEEN IT MENTIONED REPEATEDLY AT FORD PROBE SITES ON THE INTERNET
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER . MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIIVING VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CRASHES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENED 4 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH TRIED TO STEER TO THE RIGHT BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE IT WAS TOO HARD. BUT WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO STEER TO LEFT IT WAS SOFTER THAN RIGHT SIDE. AFTER 2 VISITS TO DEALER, PROBLEM IDENTIFIED AS RACK AND PINION LOCKING UP. PROBLEM BEING REPAIRED. *AK
BOTH REAR CALIPERS HAVE SEIZED. I CANNOT USE THE HANDBRAKE WHEN I PARK. TALKED TO 4 DIFFERENT DEALERS. ALL WANT AN ARM AND LEG TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART. RESULTANT FAILURE HAS CAUSED BAD BUSHINGS/ROTORS/TIRE WEAR.
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER WILL TOUCH THE DISC AND MAKE A VERY LOUD SCREACHING NOISE. EVEN WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES, THE SQUEALING APPEARS. SOMETIMES, USING THE BRAKES MAKES IT MOMENTARILY STOP, AND SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES IT WORSE. FORD DEALERSHIP ESTIMATE FOR REBUILT CALLIPER IS $420, AND $600 FOR A NEW ONE. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT FORD PAYING FOR SOME OF THESE REPLACEMENTS, SINCE IT IS DESIGN DEFECT AND WAS ONLY SOLVED BY A REDESIGNED CALLIPER IN 95+ MODELS. KOONS DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND SAID IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. SEEING AS HOW IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT, I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $420-$600 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *AK
HATCHBACK LOWER PIVOT PIN SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER STRUT BRACKET, CAUSING THE HATCHBACK TO FALL WHEN UP. THE MANUFACTURER HAS RECALLED THESE VEHICLES, BUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. RECALL 93V058. *AK
MY WIFE PURCHASED THIS USED CAR IN OCT 1997. SHE HAD THE REAR DISC BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING JUST AFTER SHE TOOK POSSESSION. THE BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP ON EITHER SIDE THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES SINCE SHE HAS DRIVEN IT. IT HAS BEEN SO BAD THA T THE ROTOR HAVE CHERRY RED AND SMOKE POURING OFF THE WHEEL. WHAVE HAD BOTH CALIPERS REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. MY WIFE CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO FEAR OF BEING KILLED. I HAVE HAD A COMPLAINT AGAINST NORTHEAST SUBARU IN DEL.CO. CONSUMER AFFAIRS OVER A YEAR AND CAN GET NOWHERE.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *AK
HOSE CLAMP TWISTED AND CAUSED THROTTLE TO STICK WIDE OPEN CAUSED ENGINE TO OVER REV AND DAMAGED ENGINE, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEADLY ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FRONT OF HER OR CROSSING IN FRONT OF HER AT A STOP LIGHT, IF SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING FASTER A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURED. FORD REP AND LOCAL FORD DEALER SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MANY ACCIDENTS MAY HAVE HAPPENED OR MAY OCCUR WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NO ONE WOULD KNOW THE CAUSE OF IT EXECPT IT WAS SPEEDING, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT
THIS CAR WITH A FAILED AIR IDLE BYPASS VALVE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A TRAFFIC INJURY OR FATALITY. WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURS YOU LOSE POWER STEERING, SPEED AND ENGINE CONTROL. THIS VALVE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES BEFORE, AND IS AGAIN NEEDING REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $700.00. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ORIGINAL FACTORY DEFECT, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO COST. IT IS A HAZARD ON THE ROAD. *AK
WHEN THE HATCHBACK IS UP, IT FALLS DOWN BY ITS SELF. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
I HAVE READ ON THE WEB THAT AFTER SO MANY MILES THAT THE REAR ABS CALIPERS WOULD WEAR OUT BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW. UK FORD HAS AKNOWLEDGED THIS FLAW AND HAS HELPED TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS ON THE PROBE. ALTHOUGH MY CALIPERS ARE NOT YET LOCKING UP, MANY OTHER US PROBE'S HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A QUICK DETERIORATING RUBBER SEAL ON THE REAR CALIPER. ONCE THE SEAL IS GONE, WATER CAN CAUSE THE BEARINGS TO CORRODE CAUSING A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND WHY HAVEN'T US PROBE OWNERS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM SINCE UK PROBE OWNERS HAVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE BRAKES CAN POSSIBLY MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME. PLEASE SEND ME ANY INFORMATION THAT MAY HELP ME SOLVE MY DILEMNA. THANK YOU!
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. ALSO, BRAKES AND THE STEERING FAILED. DEALER INDICATED CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE HAS TO SIT FOR AWHILE AND THEN IT WILL START BACK UP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN DUE TO STARTER AND IGNITION MODULE DESIGN FLAW.
$100 SPEED SENSOR CAUSED $ 2,500 TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT PER DEALERSHIP.
HAD VEHICLE PARKED. ANOTHER VEHICLE REARENDED THE PROBE. TOOK VEHICLE TO BODY SHOP. HAD IT TEST DRIVEN BY MECHANIC. AFTER TEST DRIVEN, WAS INFORMED VEHICLE NEEDED A SWAY BAR & 2 EXTENSION RODS. THESE WERE DAMAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REARENDED. *AK
BOTH REAR CALIPERS SEIZED DUE TO DETERIORATED HANDBRAKE PIVOT-PIN SEAL AND NEEDLE BEARINGS INSIDE CALIPERS. CALIPER PISTON WON'T RELEASE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO PADS AND INTENSE HEAT TO ROTORS WITH BURNING SMELL. FORD-UK AND MAZDA-UK HAVE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS COST OF REPLACING CALIPERS, BUT NOT FORD - USA. *AK
PARKING BRAKES DO NOT DISENGAGE. EXTREME HIGH HEAT RUINED REAR ROTORS, POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *AK
SUN ROOF: CONTINOUS KNOCKING NOISE. I HAVE BEEN TO FIVE DIFFERENT DEALERS IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES, NONE OF THEM HAD A MECHANIC QUALIFIED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. EVEN WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DOOR PANEL: THE DOOR PANEL JUST SEPARATED INTO TWO PIECES AND NOW THE RIGHT DOOR PANEL IS SEPARATING.
BOTH OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS ARE SEIZING UP. THIS IS DANGEROUS, AS IT HEATS UP THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CAUSING LOSS OF BREAKING ABILITY.
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1993 Ford Probe → · Every Probe year → · How the figures are calculated →