Total Complaints
207 filings
FORD PROBE · model year
207 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994FORDPROBE carries 207 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 25 crashes, 11 fires, 22 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 PROBE is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper with 23 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (22) and electrical system:ignition (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1994 PROBE, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
207 filings
Crashes Reported
25 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 23 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 22 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 15 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 11 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 8 |
| SEAT BELTS | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 4 |
| PARKING BRAKE | 4 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 3 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD PROBE EQUIPPED WITH HERCULES RAPTURE (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 18570R14 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE STICKING OUT OF THE TIRE TREAD AREA. THE TIRE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
Mileage: 166,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD PROBE GT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED TO LOCK TO SECURE THE PASSENGERS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
Mileage: 153,000
I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE ONE 1994 FORD PROBE 2.0 IS AFFILIATED WITH TSB NO. 96-21-3 THAT RECOGNIZES A DEFECT IN THE OIL PUMP. THE DEFECT IS ASSOCIATED WITH LIFTER BLEED DOWN, LOW OR HIGH OIL PRESSURE AND LACK OF POWER. WHILE OPERATING THIS MOTOR VEHICLE IN A TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENT, I MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE EFFICIENTLY AND/OR CEASE THE MOTOR DUE TO IMPROPER DISBURSEMENT OF ENGINE OIL. THIS CONDITION COULD POTENTIALLY CREATE A HAZARD OR ACCIDENT TO MYSELF OR OTHERS
Mileage: 220,000
1994 FORD PROBE, TRAVELING WEST ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE , THE RUBBER TREAD ON THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF, AND CAUSED DISABLING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0375-89)*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD PROBE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS WERE RUSTED, WHICH PREVENTED THEM FROM MOVING. AS OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,948.
Mileage: 104,948
3RD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHIN A 4 YEAR PERIOD EVEN WITH A TRANSMISSION COOLER INSTALLED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 115000 MILES. LAST TRANSMISSION LASTED ONLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. *NM
Mileage: 82,000
I JUST BOUGHT A 1994 FORD PROBE GT, ONLY TO FIND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD IN IT. AFTER SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE CAR I FOUND OUT THE 626 MAZDA TRANSMISSION THAT WAS PUT INTO THE CAR IS KNOWN FOR FAILING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY DOING 60 MPH WHEN MY CAR SHIFTED DOWN AND DROPPED ALMOST 15 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT IF A CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN BEHIND ME I LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL FORD PROBE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED MAZDA WHO SAID THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH FORD AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET A CALL BACK FROM FORD. *NM
I WAS DRIVING A 1994 FORD PROBE SE, GOING NORTH ON WESTNEDGE IN PORTAGE, MICHIGAN WHEN I NOTICED TOO LATE THAT CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED MOVING. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND REAR ENDED IT. I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED OF 35 MPH AND WAS SLOWING DOWN CONSIDERABLY BUT RAN OUT OF BRAKING ROOM. I BRACED FOR THE IMPACT AND HEARD A LOUD KRACK! AND THEN SOMETHING WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL BOMB HAD GONE OFF INSIDE MY CAR. I FELT A BURNING SENSATION AND THEN LOOKED AT MY ARM. IT LOOKED MANGLED, WITH GLASS IMBEDDED IN MY WRIST. THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE AND I HAD TROUBLE BREATHING. I HEARD MY WIFE SCREAMING AND SOBBING. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LAID ON THE GRASS. THE PAIN WAS AWFUL. I COULD NOT BEAR TO LOOK AT MY DISFIGURED ARM. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE ARRIVED. THEY SPENT A LONG TIME CHECKING ME OVER FOR INTERNAL BLEEDING AND A BROKEN NECK. MY WIFE COMPLAINED OF THE PAIN IN HER WRIST. I OVERHEARD THE PARAMEDIC DISCUSS OUR SITUATION. THEY EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE EXTENT OF OUR
DT: THE DISTRIBUTER WENT OUT ON THE CONTACTS VEHICLE AND WHEN IT DID THE VEHICLE STOPPED CAUSING THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING TO GO OUT ALSO. IN RESULT THIS CAUSED A CRASH AND HER SON HIS LICENSE FOR A YEAR. NO WARNING SIGNS OR ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS THREE LETTERS FROM THREE DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS STATING THAT IF THE DISTRIBUTER WENT OUT HE WOULD HAVE LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS DID RESULT IN A AN ACCIDENT THE CONTACTS SON HIT A OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER. THE VECHILE HAS BEEN FIXED A NEW DISTRUBTER WAS PUT BACK ON THE VEHICLE.*AK
LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER, SPECIFICALLY THE PARKING BRAKE PIVOT PIN, IS PRONE TO SEIZURE DUE TO WATER AND DIRT INTRUSION PAST A RUBBER SEAL. REPAETED CLEANING AND LUBRICATING ONLY TEMPORARILY FORESTALLS THIS CONDITION. RESULTANT CALIPER DRAG CAUSES INDREASED PAD WEAR AND HIGH TEMPERATURES, A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD IN ADDITION TO GREATLY INCREASED BRAKES PAD/ROTOR WEAR. EVENTUAL HEAT, WEAR AND CORROSIVE STICKING RENDER THE PARKING BRAKE VERY INEFFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS CALIPER TWICE DUE TO THE SAME CONDITION.
Mileage: 60,000
FIRST, THE CAR MAKES A LITTLE JERK AND THEN THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK AND THEN ONCE THAT HAPPENS, THE RPM'S STARTS TO JUMP AND THE WHOLE CAR BUCKS AS IF YOU HAD HYDRALICS. THE ENGINE STARTS TO JUMP BACK THEN FORTH. IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR SPEEDS UP BUT IT BUCKS A LOT. I THOUGHT I COULD STOP IT BECAUSE I HAVE PLAYED WITH THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON AND IT HAS STOPPED , BUT THAT WAS WHEN IT FIRST STARTS. THE WEIRD THING IS THAT IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. THE GUY THAT HAD IT BEFORE ME WHICH IS MY BOSS RAN EVERY TEST THEY COULD AND IT CAME OUT PERFECT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO? *AK
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. AS RESULT, VEHICLE LOST STEERING, AND BRAKE POWER. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OF THE OF THE ROAD. THREE MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE RESTARTED AGAIN. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
I HAVE 1994 FORD PROBE WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION, THE CAR HAS 132,000 MILES 3RD TRANNY TO GO BAD. *AK
Mileage: 132,000
THE VALVE BOX IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LETTING GO I HAVE FIXED IT 2 TIMES AND IT JUST LET GO AGAIN I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD HAS TO BE LOOKIN INTO THE RECALLS ON THE FROD PROBE... I AM STILL TRING TO GET THE TRANMISSON FIXED AGAIN
Mileage: 84,000
THE VALVE BOX IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LETTING GO I HAVE FIXED IT 2 TIMES AND IT JUST LET GO AGAIN I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD HAS TO BE LOOKIN INTO THE RECALLS ON THE FROD PROBE... I AM STILL TRING TO GET THE TRANMISSON FIXED AGAIN
Mileage: 84,000
THE VALVE BOX IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LETTING GO I HAVE FIXED IT 2 TIMES AND IT JUST LET GO AGAIN I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD HAS TO BE LOOKIN INTO THE RECALLS ON THE FROD PROBE... I AM STILL TRING TO GET THE TRANMISSON FIXED AGAIN
Mileage: 84,000
THE VALVE BOX IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LETTING GO I HAVE FIXED IT 2 TIMES AND IT JUST LET GO AGAIN I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD HAS TO BE LOOKIN INTO THE RECALLS ON THE FROD PROBE... I AM STILL TRING TO GET THE TRANMISSON FIXED AGAIN
Mileage: 84,000
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: OVER DRIVE LIGHT BLINKS AND DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY. HAS BEEN REBUILT.
Mileage: 108,000
ATX TYPE FORD CD4E FAILURE. O/D LIGHT ON, SLIPPING CLUTCH. STABILIZER LINKS WORN OUT. CRUISE CONTROL WIRING DEFECT. *JB
Mileage: 75,000
ATX TYPE FORD CD4E FAILURE. O/D LIGHT ON, SLIPPING CLUTCH. STABILIZER LINKS WORN OUT. CRUISE CONTROL WIRING DEFECT. *JB
Mileage: 75,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.