The most-reported Probe run is 1ZVPT20C6L5 (1990 builds) with 16 complaints, 5.9× the typical run. Seat belts problems make up 44% of reports; 1993 is the worst model year at 4.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for Probe model years 1989–1997.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Probe has 337 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every Probe complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1ZVPT20C6L5•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1ZVCT22B7P5•••••• | 1993 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1ZVPT20C4L5•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| 1ZVCT22B9P5•••••• | 1993 | — | 1 | |
| 1ZVCT22B5P5•••••• | 1993 | — | 1 | |
| 1ZVPT20C3L5•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1ZVCT22B8P5•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 1ZVPT20C2L5•••••• | 1990 | — | 1 | |
| 1ZVPT20C8L5•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1ZVPT21U7L5•••••• | 1990 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1ZVPT21U6L5•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1ZVCT22B0P5•••••• | 1993 | — | — |
Each of the other 325 Probe runs has 9 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Probe the gap between build years is 2.9×: a 1993 car draws 4.1 complaints per run, a 1997 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 22 | 16 | 4 | |
| 1996 | 40 | 19 | 2 | |
| 1995 | 63 | 28 | 9 | |
| 1994 | 137 | 45 | 15 | |
| 1993 | 169 | 41 | 15 | |
| 1992 | 57 | 31 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 131 | 54 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 250 | 83 | 6 | |
| 1989 | 53 | 30 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1993 at 4.1 complaints per run; lightest is 1997 at 1.4.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 44% of everything Ford Probe owners report: Seat Belts, 401 of 922 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 14 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 5 | |
| Hydraulic | 5 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 15 | |
| Power Train | 3 | 1 | |
| Visibility | — | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 22 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 13 recall campaigns on the Ford Probe; the 6 below cover build years 1989 to 1997. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 05E065000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1993–1997 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1993–1997 |
| 06E065000 | Exterior Lighting | 1993–1997 |
| 93E035000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum:drum | 1989–1992 |
| 96V172002 | Seat Belts:front:webbing | 1990–1992 |
| 96V172001 | Seat Belts:front:webbing | 1990–1992 |
The Probe against its rivals
The Probe draws 2.7 complaints per production run; the Saab 900 1.2, the Mazda 323 1.3 and the Chevrolet Beretta 1.4. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Probe | 922 | 337 | 6.4% | |
| Saab 900 | 257 | 220 | 6.6% | |
| Mazda 323 | 98 | 75 | 8.2% | |
| Chevrolet Beretta | 386 | 273 | 10.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 922 reports on the Ford Probe, 6.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Probe | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 922 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 59 (6.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 24 (2.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 57 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Probe share of that is 922 complaints over 337 runs, 0.08% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Probe VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 922 NHTSA complaints from 337 Probe runs and 13 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Probe production run has the most complaints?
1ZVPT20C6L5, a 1990 build, with 16 complaints. The typical Probe run has 2.7.
Which Probe years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1993 is heaviest at 4.1 complaints per run and 1997 lightest at 1.4.
Does the Probe get more complaints than the Saab 900?
Yes: 2.7 complaints per production run for the Probe against 1.2 for the Saab 900.
How many Probe complaints involve a crash?
6.4% of 922 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 24 involved a fire.
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