1989 Ford Probe
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Probe › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Ford Probe. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1989 Ford Probe. Newest first.
The groove for the rear wheel bearing retainer ring was incorrectly machined.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the retaining ring does not sit correctly in thegroove, the axle lug nuts will break, causing the brake drum, wheel, and tireassembly to separate from the vehicle.
Remedy
Midas shops will replace the brake drums with other brake drums from another supplier.
Owner complaints
77 complaints4 involved a crash5 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
While driving the car on the road, a car pulled in front of me and I braked hard and my seatbelt locked. But after this incident the seatbelt has never worked the same. The seatbelt doesn't lock, or retract. The car only has 48,000 miles. This seems to be a very common problem for this car. I can't even find parts to fix it because the car IS so old. Very unsafe!
- Electrical system · Fuel/propulsion system
After pulling all fuses in the driveway with vehicle off, to check them and putting them all back, verifying several times the correct location, the car cranks but no longer starts. There IS no spark, no fuel pressure. Ignition coil gets 12V power to both prongs until cranking, then losses all…
After pulling all fuses in the driveway with vehicle off, to check them and putting them all back, verifying several times the correct location, the car cranks but no longer starts. There IS no spark, no fuel pressure. Ignition coil gets 12V power to both prongs until cranking, then losses all power. 4EAT computer under the dash reports fault with the throttle position sensor. Throttle position sensor IS in good condition and this was verified by testing it manually using a voltmeter, a bad tps will not cause a no start situation anyway. Replaced the 4EAT control module and no change. Tried pulling codes from ecm, no codes reported. Replaced ecm, no change in situation. Verified the fuel cutoff switch was not triggered, verified the relays are working. Car IS dead and I'm out of money to fix it. If ford would make tools like the breakout box and 4EAT tester affordable for consumers that would be great, but no.
- Seat belts
TL* the contact owns 1989 ford probe GT. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt failed to retract. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed the retractor needed to be replaced. No repairs were made and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
- Seat belts
The driver's seat belt will not retract. therefore, it will not retract in an accident, impairing my safety. I brought this up to the dealer and they refused to fix it. there IS a 1990 recall that ford used to scam the owners of the 1989 models out of the recall even though the 1989 was the…
The driver's seat belt will not retract. therefore, it will not retract in an accident, impairing my safety. I brought this up to the dealer and they refused to fix it. there IS a 1990 recall that ford used to scam the owners of the 1989 models out of the recall even though the 1989 was the first year made and only made for a few months before building the 1990s and the 1990 was the exact same car with the exact same components. ford IS cheating us out of our recall and endangering out lives. please make certain that ford includes us 1989 probe owners in a new recall so that we won't die because there aren't enough of us dying to make ford acknowledge us. I tried to phone in a complaint but I am not sure if that got through and was recorded correctly. *tr
- Steering · Suspension
The car vibrates terribly from the front end since new. all nine times I took in during the first year, when it was under warranty, the dealer said it was normal. I took it to a different dealer and did not mention my warranty, and I was given a $10,000 estimate to repair. ford still refused to…
The car vibrates terribly from the front end since new. all nine times I took in during the first year, when it was under warranty, the dealer said it was normal. I took it to a different dealer and did not mention my warranty, and I was given a $10,000 estimate to repair. ford still refused to fix it under warranty. it turns out the front axles are defective and not made balanced. replacing them after they destroyed the front cv joints solved the problem, but ford got away with a rip off and I suffered for six years and 60,000 miles. *tr
- Electrical system · Engine · Steering
The engine stops unexpectedly while driving, cutting out the power brakes and power steering and making my front-heavy front wheel drive car very very hard to steer and very very difficult to stop. the engine stops unexpectedly often, without warning. I thought this was tied to the ignition…
The engine stops unexpectedly while driving, cutting out the power brakes and power steering and making my front-heavy front wheel drive car very very hard to steer and very very difficult to stop. the engine stops unexpectedly often, without warning. I thought this was tied to the ignition switch, but changing the switch and wiring did not help. at the same time of this problem, the ignition switch stopped turning on the starter, but will let the engine run. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Sometimes vehicle stalled when put into gear and engine would cut off while driving. *ph this was an intermittent problem. the mechanic was unable to find the problem. *sc *jb
- Seat belts
I purchased a driver side seat belt on 8/17/02. I paid 131.00 for the part .all ford parts are warranted for 12 months or 12,000 miles. Including seat belts, even if they are defective after that warranty expires they keep my money and I have a defective seat belt that does not work properly. I…
I purchased a driver side seat belt on 8/17/02. I paid 131.00 for the part .all ford parts are warranted for 12 months or 12,000 miles. Including seat belts, even if they are defective after that warranty expires they keep my money and I have a defective seat belt that does not work properly. I decided to save money and install it myself. The seat belt worked for about a week and then it seized and would not pull down over my left shoulder. I got another under warranty, installed it myself and it happened again. I went back to peninsula ford of san bruno and paid them 198.00 to install my third warranted seat belt. I came back the next day and proved it was not working properly. They agreed and ordered me a new one. This IS my fourth seat belt and the same thing happened. I was angry because I was losing hours (wages) at my workplace. I had a few words with the manager at the time and got my 198.00 back. They installed the seat belt and again it did not work. I talked to the service manager and he unprofessionally wrote down my info told me he'd order the part later that day and that it should arrive in 2 days. I called back 2 days later, spoke to him and he said he was hoping it would come today but it's not here yet. I reasonably called back 7 days later and asked for him. he no longer work's here sir was the answer. I was driving around with no seat belt. California highway patrol had become more strict about the seat belt law at that exact moment. I talked to the manager and demanded my money back and he told me to come back tomorrow. Next day, I called and spoke to another manager who was extremely rude, unprofessional and confrontational. I wasn't getting anywhere on the phone so I immediately drove there with a seat belt that did not work. I argued for half hour to get my money back and they discreetly hinted no. The next day I was told all they could do was order me another seat belt. My warranty expires on aug 17, 2003. I am an unsatisfied customer.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver side seat belt would not retract back to release for more room, causing the seat belt to be improperly worn or not worn at all. Dealer has been notified. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum · Tires
No snap ring available from dealer or parts (drum/bearing) supplies. Complete rear tire and drum assembly fell off. Lucky that speed wasn't too high - potential for getting killed. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Contacted ford and they said they had no recall information. I heard otherwise which IS why I am contacting you. No safety defect listed. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer complained in regard to operation of driver's lap and shoulder belt. belt fails to extend and retract, resulting in failure to buckle belt. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Consumer purchased the vehicle used with multiple problems, mostly electrical (headlights, windshield wipers, locks and alternator). *mjs
- Electrical system › Ignition
Consumer IS experiencing problems with the tfi module. *slc
- Tires
Tire size 19570r14 with 20,000-25,000 miles, aftermarket and with 65,000 rating. rear driver's side tire tread separated from rest of tire into 2 pieces, and sidewall shreaded into pieces while driving at approximately 30 mph in mild weather conditions.*ak goodyear aquatred II tire dot mkrw5bhrd63. *slc
- Vehicle speed control
Do not yet know full damage cost as other car was damged and don't know the cost yet. No safety defect in summary. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Cars stalls; been to mechanics, they cant see the problem it stalls when warm it shouldnt very dangerous. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle experienced engine fire while driving (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Drivers side seat belt will no longer retract. Failure occured during normal use.*ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Right window regulator failed, driver's side IS cracked and about to fail the dealership asked for $379.00 for replacement part. I then called wrecking yards (2) and explained that I needed a window regulator for a ford probe 1989 they informed me that part IS not available for the drivers side I…
Right window regulator failed, driver's side IS cracked and about to fail the dealership asked for $379.00 for replacement part. I then called wrecking yards (2) and explained that I needed a window regulator for a ford probe 1989 they informed me that part IS not available for the drivers side I would have to get on a waiting list due to the fact that so many have failed. When I asked about the left side I was quoted $150 and $125 both places needed a week to get the part. Due to the statements from the wrecking yards and the fact that my car has only 2700 miles on it and IS already having problems I thought maybe ford might have realized that these particular window regulators were not strong enough and would have issued a recall to replace the defective regulators. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
There IS a gas leak at the seam of the gas tank. also, fuel line rusted out, causing a fire hazard. consumer has contacted the dealer. *ak *ML
- Suspension
Upper plate that holds the strut has disintegrated, could cause strut to go through the hood and the through the windshield. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Plastic top of radiator failed upon opening the hood..17 year old was sprayed with hot liquid and steam hospitalized with 2ND and 3RD degree burns 50% of body. *Ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
No summary listed for this vehicle. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
After stopping the seat belt would not retract--it locked up. the problem has been intermittent since the seatbelt was replaced approximately 1994 by hollywood ford. car purchased at galpin but serviced at star now. called star and they said the vin didn't come up on the "oasys" database as…
After stopping the seat belt would not retract--it locked up. the problem has been intermittent since the seatbelt was replaced approximately 1994 by hollywood ford. car purchased at galpin but serviced at star now. called star and they said the vin didn't come up on the "oasys" database as ever having been recalled--so won't fix. new belt costs $107.01 plus labor. I replaced the engine, transmission, clutch, suspension, brakes etc, but feel safety components like a seatbelt should be designed to work for the life of the vehicle. would appreciate a contact to rectify.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seatback recline mechanism failure
On june 29, 2007, nhtsa received a petition from mr. Richard h. Mcswain of mcswain engineering inc., requesting that the agency investigate seatback recliner failure in the subject vehicles. The petitioner identified a failure mode involving bypass of the seatback stop pin which could result in a false or partial…
On june 29, 2007, nhtsa received a petition from mr. Richard h. Mcswain of mcswain engineering inc., requesting that the agency investigate seatback recliner failure in the subject vehicles. The petitioner identified a failure mode involving bypass of the seatback stop pin which could result in a false or partial engagement of the sector and pawl teeth, allowing the seatback to recline in a vehicular collision.odi believes that the alleged failure mode may be the result of progressive wear and tear of the seatback stop pin, the seatback stop, and other seat components in vehicles that are, on average, 17 years old.available data do not suggest that this has occurred with a notable frequency. Odi reviewed its consumer complaint data received over the last nineteen years and found no complaints of seatback collapse (with or without a vehicle collision) in the subject vehicles.considering the advanced age of the subject vehicles, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect as defined by the petitioner at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.the statutory requirement that the manufacturer provide a free remedy does not apply if the vehicle was bought by the first purchaser more than 10 calendar years before an order IS issued. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition IS denied.
- Mazda RX7 automatic seat belt failure
Malfunction of the automatic seat belt system
- Engine compartment fires
There is no summary currently available
- Transmission oil line fire
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 3013200Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50972Axke leaks - fluid leaks from front of vehicle at axle shafts - new design replacement cv joint boots.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
- 39119Erratic distance-to-empty and fuel gauge readings.
Every Ford Probe model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.