Ford

Probe

Compact Cars · model years 1989 to 1997

See all 41 Probe trims All Ford cars

The verdict

Best year: 1997. complaints: 27, below this model's typical 102; recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 1990. complaints: 323, about 2.1x this model's typical 153; recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Ford Probe
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1989	3Gas	22	$3,050	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	6Gas	21	$3,125	3	323	SEAT BELTS 78%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3%
complaints: 323, about 2.1x this model's typical 153 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	6Gas	20	$3,300	3	177	SEAT BELTS 76%, VISIBILITY 7%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3%
complaints: 177, above this model's typical 153 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 26 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	6Gas	20	$3,375	2	79	SEAT BELTS 62%, POWER TRAIN 7%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%
complaints: 79, below this model's typical 153 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 36 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	4Gas	22	$3,225	1	205	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 21%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, AIR BAGS 11%
complaints: 205, about 2x this model's typical 102 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints reporting a fire: 8 Score: 25 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	4Gas	21.5	$3,275	1	166	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17%, POWER TRAIN 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 166, about 1.6x this model's typical 102 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints reporting a fire: 7 Score: 21 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	4Gas	21.5	$3,275	0	86	POWER TRAIN 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, STEERING 13%
complaints: 86, below this model's typical 102 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 71 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	4Gas	22	$3,175	1	52	POWER TRAIN 26%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%
complaints: 52, below this model's typical 102 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	4Gas	22	$3,175	1	27	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 39%, AIR BAGS 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 27, below this model's typical 102 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 73 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1989: 22 to 1997: 22

Owner complaints1990: 323 to 1997: 27

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Ford Probe to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.