1993 Ford Probe: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 205 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (22% of complaints); the 1992 and 1995 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford probe. While driving 60 mph, the fuel control light illuminated and the vehicle shut off. The contact was occasionally able to restart the vehicle after two or three minutes. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure and advised her to take the vehicle to a ford dealer for a proper diagnosis. As of november 16, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 74,550 and current mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2007
“Release of hand brake on ford probe gt fails to disengage the rear brakes, rear wheel(s) now partially or completely locked, current method of correction involves manually releasing from underneath the car (always park downhill now).*jb”Owner report · Parking Brake · Nov 2006
“Icm overheated several times this summer (always while on interstate), causes the car to shut off while at 65+mph, all power lost (brakers, steering, acceleration). Car only at 37,000 miles during first failure. Replaced icm/distributor (icm built inside distributor) with a non-oem part. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“The air bag light in the consumer's 1993 ford probe flashed intermittently. The consumer request that the air bag be disconnected. *nm *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2005
“I can't even get anyone to work on this transmission. I call every single tranny shop I could find in 3 towns, not 1 will have anything to do with a proble tranny. This is crazy, ford or mazda should be paying for this, if they have a product, with such a well known problem. I wish I would of known, never would of bought it!”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2003
“The transmission in my 93 ford probe is shot. There is no service station, etc. That will even touch the thing. They are know for this and you can't even get someone to work on it. Ford or mazda should be paying for this. *nlm”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2003
“Automatic transaxle on my 1993 probe gt has an unexplained defect. Most repair businesses will not even touch these cars due to reputation. After $500 in diagnostic fees, the problem was ruled unexplained by aamco.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2002
“While driving at 40 mph consumer ran into an embankment head-on. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2002
“This is the second ignitor this car has had. This is a defect from ford. It is both dangerous and unacceptable to let ford get away with this injustice. Probe owners all have had this problem it is a defect and should be fixed by ford motors.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2001
“While driving rim on right passenger's side of vehicle split in half. Consumer heard a sound, and was trying to get vehicle to the side of the road, that was when rim split, and vehicle fell to ground. Contacted ford, and they stated nothing could be done. *ak *tt”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER PIVOT PIN THAT JOINS THE LIFTGATE GAS STRUT TO THE BODY CAN SEPARATE FROM THE LOWER STRUT MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO AN UNDERSIZED RIVET HEAD.
Remedy: REPLACE LIFTGATE STRUT ASSEMBLIES HAVING UNDERSIZED PIVOT PIN RIVET HEAD DIAMETERS WITH ASSEMBLIES WITH ADEQUATE PIVOT PIN RIVET HEADS.
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 1993 Ford Probe reliable?
NHTSA has 205 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford Probe. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford Probe problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,550 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Ford Probe have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.