1997 FORD PROBE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
38
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
13
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 FORD PROBE
The 1997 FORD PROBE has received a total of 38 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. 13 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (6 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (6 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 FORD PROBE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1997 FORD PROBE, potentially affecting up to 114,199 vehicles.
Recall 06E065000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 3,593 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 05E065000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 42,962 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS....
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
View full details →Recall 98V206002 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 5,700 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 FORD PROBE
38 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 FORD PROBE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I HAVE A 1997 FORD PROBE GT 6 CYLINDER. THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT KEEP FLICKERING OVER DRIVE OFF AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS. I HAD THIS CHECKED OUT AND THE TPS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CHECK OUT BAD SO I HAD THIS REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXIST. I WENT TO SEVERAL SERVICE STATIONS THEY ALL SAY I DON'T KNOW. I WOULD JUST IGNORE THIS BUT THE SLOWS DOWN TO LOWER GEAR THIS IS SCARY. I LOVE THIS FORD PROBE IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO. I FOUND A SIGHT ON THE INTERNET AND RELAYED A INTERCOOLING FOR THE TRANS, IS THIS CORRECT!!! *NM
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CD4E) HAS BEEN ACTING UP, OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON DASH STARTS FLASHING WHIH THEN CAUSES HARSH SHIFTING AND POWER LOSS IN TRANNY AND ENGINE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PROBLEMS. *AK
LTR REQUEST A COPY OF THE NHTSA REPORT RE AN AIRBAG PROBE OF THE 1997 FORD ESCORT. ATTY REPRESENTING CLIENT INJURED WHEN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A 1997 FORD ESCORT. *MR *NM
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DISTRUBUTOR WHICH CAUSED IT TURN OVER, BUT NOT START, AND CLUTCH WITH IN ONE MONTH. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AN DTHEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY, AND MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PROBLEM ,WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, FORCING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. *AK
Safety Rating for the 1997 FORD PROBE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 FORD PROBE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 FORD PROBE
Ford Motor Company has issued 13 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 FORD PROBE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
6583 — STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
INFORMATION ON SERVICING THE LEFT STEERING RACK BUSHING. *TT
981510 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
REVISED OIL PUMP INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. YD
97111097235 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0505. *YC
BC3081970226 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
PARTIALLY RESTRICTED VACUUM HOSE TO CANNISTER MAY BE CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) CODE P0441. *TW
BC1030597020 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT BLISTER, PEEL OR CRACK CONCERNS. *JD
BC1033497020 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH CODE P0441 STORED IN MEMORY. *JD
BC3492972301 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AN OIL PUMP TO CYLINDER BLOCK ALIGNMENT CONCERN ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN 9/5/96 AND 12/9/96 WITH ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER FS200304 THROUGH FS209265. *JD
BC1017597230 — AIR BAGS
THE LUMBAR BAG INFLATES BUT DOES NOT APPLY ADEQUATE PRESSURE TO THE SEAT BACK MAY BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE LUMBAR BAG SUPPORT RODS. *JD
BC1019097230 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL PUMP TO CYLINDER BLOCK ALIGNMENT CONCERN ON VEHICLE BUILT BETWEEN 9/5/96 AND 12/9/96 WITH ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER FS200304 THROUGH FS209265. JD
9729 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NOISE - BUZZ/VIBRATION IN REVERSE AND/OR CLICKING NOISE ACCOMPANIED BY VIBRATION ON RIGHT HAND TURNS DURING ACCLERATION - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 1/6/97 WITH 2.0L ENGINE AND CD4E TRANSAXLE. *TW
Showing 10 of 13 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 FORD PROBE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD PROBE
- 1992 FORD PROBE — 101 complaints
- 1993 FORD PROBE — 249 complaints
- 1994 FORD PROBE — 207 complaints
- 1995 FORD PROBE — 130 complaints
- 1996 FORD PROBE — 77 complaints
- 1997 FORD PROBE (current)
- 1998 FORD PROBE — 0 complaints
- 1999 FORD PROBE — 1 complaint
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints