1990 Ford Probe: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 323 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (86% of complaints); the 1991 and 1992 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 323 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford probe. The driver and passenger side seat belts retractors would not work. The dealer has not repaired the seat belts. The current mileage was 182,000 and the failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2007
“Retractable seat belts jam and get stuck in track, making unsafe condition. Have hit head on seat belt latch causing pain and have also been stuck in seat with seat belt not releasing. Also wearing out car battery & shorting electrical system, severe moisture in tail lamps, failure of tail lamps causing unsafe condition, failure of driving lights. Many problems with vehicle from date of ownership in 1993. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2006
“Driver's side seat restraint (sholder harness) doesn't function. 1990 ford probe lx. Was issue of a recall in 1996. Subject restraint has failed three times since purchase of car. First repair was under vehicle warranty. Second repair took place prior to recal and was paid for by owner. Third failure has occured withing the last year and local dealer does not take responsibility.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“The recall (NHTSA campaign id #96v172001) is not being honored by the manufacturer because, although the make, model, and year of the car is the same, the VIN number does not appear in the manufacturer database associating it with the recall. The manufacturer should be required to honor the recall since it totally matches the vehicle and the problem stated in the recall.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2005
“Recall 96v172001, while parking or driving, the seat belt would not retract back into the locking position. *ak the part had been previously repaired. The driver's side seat belt shoulder restraint would be compromised when the failure occurred. *sc *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2004
“Recall 96v172001, while parking/driving, passenger side passive restraint seat belt will not retract back into locking position creating a real safety hazard for the passenger. The dealership (doherty ford, forest grove, or) was notified, but refused to address this safety issue because, allegedly, the VIN of the subject vehicle "was not included" in the recall. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2004
“Passenger side automatic seat belt came off the track. The seat belt was inoperative, and the consumer was unable to use it. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2003
“The vehicles automatic seat belt track failed. Dealer notified. *nlm the driver side seat belt was replaced. On another occasion the passenger side failed. The dealer would not replace. Scc”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2003
“The motor inside of the seatbelt will come on but the seatbelt will not retractor at all. The dealer is aware of the problem. Please provide any additional information. *nlm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2003
“Dealer, auburn motors in auburn, in. Phone# 260/925-3100 refused to honor recall 96v172002 concerning automatic seat belts because consumer was not the original owner. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
NOTE: 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 SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
NOTE: 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 BELT INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
THROTTLE LEVERS MAY HAVE BEEN BENT DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: PLACE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON DELIVERY HOLD UNTIL REPAIRED.
THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Remedy: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
How other years compare
Check your exact Probe by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Ford Probe reliable?
NHTSA has 323 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Ford Probe. The most complained-about area is seat belts (86% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Ford Probe problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 110,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Ford Probe have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:webbing. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.