Summary
The Ford Probe has 20 recalls spanning the 1989–1997 production run, with the most serious being a throttle defect on 1990 models where a bent throttle lever can stick and refuse to return to idle, leaving the driver unable to control engine speed.
The 1990 model year also has a separate set of automatic shoulder belt problems: worn rails in both the driver-side and passenger-side belt tracks can jam the retraction cable, leaving the belt inoperable in a crash. A third 1990 issue involves fuel pump wiring that can corrode from road salt exposure and create electrical crossover between circuits, overheating nearby wiring and melting its insulation, potentially causing smoke or damage to surrounding wiring. There are also compliance issues on 1990 models involving daytime running lights that cut out when turn signals activate and several emissions-related filings on 3.0-liter versions.
The 1991 model year has a shoulder belt retractor mounting bracket where an understrength spot weld can cause the assembly to fail in a crash, leaving the occupant without effective belt restraint. On 1993 models, a liftgate gas strut can shed its lower pivot pin, causing the hatch to drop without warning onto anyone standing beneath it. The 1993 model year also has an incompatible child seat tether anchor bolt and nut combination that does not meet Canadian standards. The 1994 model year has an airbag bracket that can deform if the passenger airbag deploys into an unoccupied seat, complicating future airbag replacement. On 1995 models, fuel vapor can leak between the fuel cap and filler pipe. The 1996 model year has a missing warning statement on the driver-side sun visor label regarding rear-facing child seats in the front passenger position.
The final production year, 1997, has a timing belt tensioner where an external spring can break and catch in the timing belt, causing the engine to stall.
