1989 Ford PROBE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
84,475 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 45 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seat Belts: 4; Electrical System: 3; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 3; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 18; 1996: 6; 2000: 9; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 481620 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS/HESTIATES IN 1ST/2ND GEARS BEFORE AND AFTER REPAIRS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483284 · 1995-08-28 (August 28, 1995)
REPLACED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10611084 · 2014-07-16 (July 16, 2014)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 98,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10611084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557540 · 2000-12-05 (December 5, 2000)
CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, MOSTLY ELECTRICAL (HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LOCKS AND ALTERNATOR). *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480763 · 1995-01-21 (January 21, 1995)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES COMPUTER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068566 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734060 · 2000-10-11 (October 11, 2000)
CARS STALLS; BEEN TO MECHANICS, THEY CANT SEE THE PROBLEM IT STALLS WHEN WARM IT SHOULDNT VERY DANGEROUS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973412 · 1995-10-17 (October 17, 1995)
SHORTS OUT EVERYTHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND ALMOST CAUGHT THE GARAGE ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855757 · 2000-01-31 (January 31, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855757 at NHTSA ↗