1991 FORD Probe Problems & Complaints

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK ON THE TRACK TOWARDS THE BACK OF IT'S TRACK AND NO LONGER MOVES OR ENGAGES.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY JAMMED AND CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 96V172001 DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 100,000.*AK

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.

I OWN A 1991 FORD PROBE. THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTO-RETRACT SEAT-BELT ASSEMBLY IS JAMMED. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, (AUTOZONE RECALLS AND THIS WEB-SITE FOR TWO), I FIND INTERESTING INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE. PARTICULARLY NHTSA ID # 96V172001 / FORD RECALL 96S48 THAT DESCRIBES THIS. ALSO THE LINK ON YOUR SITE TO THIS PDF (RC-96V172-NN.PDF), IS ALSO OF INTEREST. MY ISSUE / COMPLAINT IS THAT I TOLD MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS HAD FORD MOTOR CO. RUN MY VIN AND THEY STATED MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. I DO NOTICE THAT IN THE ABOVE PDF A STATEMENT THAT ALL PROBES STARTING AS EARLY AS 1990 WITH THIS RESTRAINT SYSTEM ARE TO BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THIS SYSTEM ON THIS CAR IS FAULTY. IN IOWA THERE IS A SEAT BELT LAW. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I KNOW 2 OF THE 3 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS. IT HAS ONLY 88,000 MILES. REGARDLESS OF AGE OR CONDITION, I UNDERSTAND THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE FORD RECALL CAMPAIGN AND I SHOULD BE FREE OF ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ANY INPUT? *JB

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

REAR WINDOW - THE SEAL ALLOWS WATER TO LEAK INTO THE TRUNK AREA AND SETTLE AROUND THE SPARE TIRE AREA.THIS PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH OR HEAVY RAINSTORM. THE WATER HAS CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE COVERING TO WARP AND HAVE A "MOLDY" SMELL AND HAS CAUSED CONDENSATION TO SETTLE IN THE TAIL LIGHTS. ALSO, SINCE THE AREA IS DAMP MOST OF THE TIME , THERE IS MUCH INTERIOR FOGGING. THE EXTERIOR PAINT HAS FADED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS AND THE CLEAR COAT ON THE HOOD HAS STARTED PEELING. THE RED PAINT ON THE ROOF, SIDE PANELS, AND BACK OF CAR HAS FADED AND HAS A HAZY LOOK TO IT. THERE IS A WHITE FINISH ON THESE AREAS. THE CLEAR COAT ON THE HOOD HAS STARTED PEELING AND HAS LEFT FADED SPOTS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY PROBES HAVE SIMILAR PAINT PROBLEMS IN THE EXACT SAME AREAS.

NO SUMMARY

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED, CAUSING THE WIPER BLADES TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW, THUS IMPAIRING FORWARD VISION.

PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT STAY UP , KEEPS FALLING DOWN. THIS IS A MOTORIZED WINDOW AND CAUS EOF FAILURE IS UNKNOWN. *AK

SEALS AROUND WINDOWS IN VEHICLE, CAUSING A MOISTURE BUILD UP, AND IT IS WET INSIDE, IN FOR REPAIRS TWICE, RESEALED FRONT WINDOW ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT FAILED TO REMOVE ALL WATER FROM VEHICLE. *AK

(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

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS POSSIBLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *TT

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE MARSHALL STATED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THEIR FORD PROBES. THIS ONE HAS BLOWN APART TWICE, LEAVING LARGE HOLES IN THE CASING. WHY ISN'T FORD STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT? BOTH TIMES THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT AT 80 THOUSAND MILES. WHEN I WENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAID THIS CERTAIN CAR WAS KNOW FOR THIS DEFECT AND THAT MAZDA MOTOR CO. , WHO MADE THE POWER TRAIN FOR THIS VEHICLE, WAS VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BE A ROD IN THE TRANMISSION NOT BEING TIGHT AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR.

VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD UNLESS PUT INTO REVERSE, THEN INTO DRIVE, HOWEVER WHEN IN REVERSE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS.

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

THREE BOLTS CAME OUT OF TRANSMISSION, THERE WAS VIBRATION AND THEN STALLING WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. PLEASE IDENTIFY THE AREA OF TRSNSMISSION. *AK

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

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED IN THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $627.69. I TALKED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. THEY DECLINED TO PAY FOR REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE IS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT. *AK

HARNESS MODIFICATION/REPAIR KIT NOTICE SENT BY FORD MOTOR, HOWEVER PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER THEREFORE VEHICLE CANNOT BE FIXED.

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED, AND WHILE PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, VIRTUALLY DEMOLISHING THE VEHICLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD PROBE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS TO INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113000.

THROTTLE BODY STICKING DUE TO FAILURE.

VEHICLE SURGES/STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. *DH

STRUTS FALLING PART.

BUSHING PLATE ON STRUTS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING COIL SPRING TO COME THROUGH THE PLATE.

VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT SIDE, DIFFICULTY STEERING. *AK

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

LEFT TIRE SHEARED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR NO REASON.(OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT)

I READ YOUR COMPLAINT PAGE, HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 91 AND I HAVE ALL THE SAME PROBS, 1 PERSON SAID HE HAD 2 INCHES OF WATER IN THE CAR, TRY 6. THE PAINT WASNT RIGHT FROM DAY 1. THE CV JOINTS/AXELS WENT BAD AFTER 2 YEARS AND IVE GOT BY TILL NOW BUT THE RATTLE IS ANNOYING. THE EXHAUST SYS ALSO RATTLES. FRONT TIRES GO YEARLY. AIR CONDITIONER NEVER HAS BLOWN COLD. AND THE DOOR ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS TO HEAVY FOR THE LATCH, I RIDE 6 MNTHS OF EVERY YEAR WITH AN OPEN GLOVE COMPARTMENT.THE HATCHBACK LEAKS, AND THE PAINT WELL, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY GOT THAT BLEND. THE CAR ALWAYS RUNS COLD WHICH CAUSES THE ROUGH IDLE AND START AND 14 INCH WHEELS WERENT SUFFICIENT FOR A CAR THAT BIG. I WILL SAY THAT FORD BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO GET THE ITEMS FIXED I JUST CANT LEAVE IT THERE BI-WEEKLY.THEY DID REPAINT IT TWICE AND HONORED THE SEATBELT RECALL THIS YEAR, 2003.THE CAR NOW HAS 200,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER FAILED SMOG OR SPENT ONE DAY ON A TOW TRUCK OR IN A SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULDNT START. ITS BEEN A LONG NOISY AND EXTREMELY HOT RIDE, AND I HOPE THEY LEARNED AFTER THOSE BAD YEARS. BUT JUST RECENTLY I ASKED A MECHANIC ON HIS OPINION IF I SHOULD BUY A TAURUS. HE POINTED TO A CAR IN THE BACK OF HIS SHOP AND SAID THAT CAR IS PAYING FOR HIS SONS COLLEGE. 6TH TIME THIS YEAR HES HAD IT AND HE STRONGLY ADVISED ME TO NEVER PURCHASE A FORD CAR. ALL THE PROBS WITH THE PROBE ARE SAME WITH THE TAURUS. I MIGHT GET 50000 MORE MILES BUT DOUBT IT. BUT I DONT THINK THEY TRIED TO CHEAT ME, FORD WORKED WITH ME FROM THE DAY I SAT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STILL ARE.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK BUT WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF, THEY STOP IN A VERTICAL POSITIONS IN THE DRIVER'S VIEWING AREA. THE POWER STEERING HOSE COST ME OVER $200 TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS BUILT INTO THE FIREWALL. THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN APART IN ORDER TO GET TO THE HOSE.*AK

ESCORT FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY RESULTED IN HIGH PRESSURE MASSIVE GASOLINE LEAKS, FUEL PUMPS ARE UNDER THE BACK SEATS. WHEN THE FUEL PUMP LEAK THE PRESSURE IS LIKE A GARDEN HOSE SPEWING GASOLINE

WHEN TRAVELING AND UPON MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

UNSPECIFIED.

WAS TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER WHEN IT STARTED MAKING NOISES. HAD MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT; WAS INFORMED THAT THE STRUTS WERE REAL BAD & NEEDED REPLACING; HAD FRONT 2 STRUTS REPLACED. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS JAMMED IN RETRACTING POSITION, RENDERING SEAT BELTS INOPERATIVE PRIOR TO RECALL (96V-172). *AK

THE CUT OFF VALVE SWITCH IN THE GAS TANK NO LONGER OPERATES. THE OWNER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS AND THE GAS WAS STILL ALLOWED TO FLOW INTO THE TANK. ALSO, AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, DEALER REPLACED AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT. (96V-072-002). *AK

VEHICLE LEAKING AT THE SEAM WHEN IT RAINS. TT