1991 Ford Probe: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 177 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (79% of complaints); the 1992 model year looks 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 177 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt*: the contact stated immediately after purchasing a vehicle, it was noticed the seat belt did not retract and was jammed in the rail rendering the belt inoperative. The contact checked for recalls on the NHTSA website and found the NHTSA recall campaign # 96v172001 covered the defect. The manufacturer was contacted who informed the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The contact was very concerned because the description in the recall matched exactly the problems, the vehicle's seat belt had.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2006
“(1) purchased the vehicle (2) learned the horn did not work (3) purchased a replacement horn, and requested information from ford and 3 dealers where it would be located. All, except 1 dealer, refused to give us any information. The last dealer was not certain. Ford's comment was this was "private company information" or "we don't have that information". Suggested we contact their printing company who would sell us schematics. Printing company had no idea which set of schematics we would need. Vehicles are required to have working horns for safety reasons. Ford wanted to sell us $100 worth of service to install a $15 part.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“The consumer was referred to the dealer by an auto repair shop for recalls on the seat belts. The dealer stated the vehicle was in the remedy scope, but the recall had expired. The driver and passenger side seat belts did not retract properly. Recall# 96v172001 and 96v172002 subject: automatic shoulder belt.*ak *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving 65 mph consumer heard a popping sound then driver's rear tire came off. There was a recall 93ve035000 in 1993, but this vehicle was not affected due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2001
“Recall 96s48/96s99 "passive seat belt assembly" repaired at dealer system failed needs repair dealer and manufacturer refused to comply. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2000
“The fins on the water pump have corroded beyond use. Poor manufacturing of water pump to allow a non-aluminum metal to be in constant contact with a corrosive engine coolant. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2000
“Motor seat belt on the driver's side sometimes will not retract, always leaving belt halfway when the door is closed. This had been rapaired before.*ak shoulder harness/seat belt(lap) was replaced as a result of a recall (96v-172) but it still malfunctions. *yh”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2000
“Driver's side seatbelt doesn't retract at all. Seatbelt is stuck in the middle. Seatbelt was replaced undr manufacturer's recall 96s48. Four years ago seatbelt was fixed. Currently, same part of the seatbelt was not operable. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2000
“Recall 96v172001/automatic shoulder belt: driver side automatic belt failed to operate again. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that they are not responsible to repair recall again. Please provide further details. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2000
“Seat belt was fixed due to a recall. Currently seat belt needs to be fixed again due to locking up when vehicle moves. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - 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.
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.
BRACKETS MOUNTING AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AN UNDERSTRENGTH SPOT WELD.
Remedy: INSTALL TWO BOLTS IN THE BRACKETS TO PREVENT SHOULDER BELT FAILURE.
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 1991 Ford Probe reliable?
NHTSA has 177 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Ford Probe. The most complained-about area is seat belts (79% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Ford Probe problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 113,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 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.