1990 Ford PROBE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
139 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
107,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 79 of 139 complaints (56.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
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 | 79 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 25 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 13 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 2 |
Seat Belts: 79; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 25; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 13; Seat Belts:Front: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 129 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 | 62 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 2000 | 16 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
1995: 62; 1996: 27; 2000: 16; 2001: 12; 2002: 6; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 740402 · 2001-02-04 (February 4, 2001)
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR STOPS RUNNING AND THEN JUST STARTS UP AGAIN.ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN FOR OVER 1 HOUR LASTEST INCIDENT CAR STOPPED RUNNING ON ROAD ANB WE COASTED OFF ROAD AND THEN WE RESTARTED CAR THESE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURED ABOUT 8/9 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS NO CLUE AS TO WHY THIS IS OCCURRING ONLY TO TRY AND REPLACE THIS OR THAT COMPONENT TO NO AVAIL THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD AT 60 MPH IN TRAFFIC OR DOWNHILL WITH NO ASSISTED BRAKING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013120 · 2002-07-02 (July 2, 2002)
WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WITHOUT ANY BRAKING ACTION. CONSUMER USED PARK BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER ADDED THAT THE DEALER WHO SOLD HIM THE VEHICLE, HAD GOTTEN THE BRAKE LINE FIXED, BUT NOT THE GREASE CAP FOR THE ENIGNE. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154921 · 2006-04-10 (April 10, 2006)
RETRACTABLE SEAT BELTS JAM AND GET STUCK IN TRACK, MAKING UNSAFE CONDITION. HAVE HIT HEAD ON SEAT BELT LATCH CAUSING PAIN AND HAVE ALSO BEEN STUCK IN SEAT WITH SEAT BELT NOT RELEASING. ALSO WEARING OUT CAR BATTERY & SHORTING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEVERE MOISTURE IN TAIL LAMPS, FAILURE OF TAIL LAMPS CAUSING UNSAFE CONDITION, FAILURE OF DRIVING LIGHTS. MANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE FROM DATE OF OWNERSHIP IN 1993. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480576 · 1995-01-13 (January 13, 1995)
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT LOCKED UP IN MIDDLE OF TRACK, MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN CAUSING BATTERY FAILURE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504596 · 1996-05-13 (May 13, 1996)
DIFFERENTIAL GEAR FELL APART, CAUSING TRANSMISSION LEAK. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8009742 · 2002-05-13 (May 13, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALERSHIP SAD IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8009742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 9000956 · 2000-05-25 (May 25, 2000)
GASKET BETWEEN THE BODY AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THREW THE BACK SIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHTS INTO THE SPARE TIRE WALL, CAUSED A SHORT FOR THE SAFETY RELAY SWITCH FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 9000956 at NHTSA ↗