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1996 Ford Probe problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Ford Probe is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 89,584 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Probe model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
52
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
83
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
20-25mpg

The worst 1996 Ford Probe problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    17
  • Engine
    13
  • Electrical
    4
  • Seat belts
    4
  • Steering
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Locks
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Air bagsReported June 3, 1996 · 2,740 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The supplementary air bag inflatable restraint caution label located on the driver side sun visor does not contain the statement, "do not install rearward facing child seats in any front passenger seat position." this does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning label.
Remedy
A new caution label, with installation instructions, will be sent directly to owners. Owners can install the label or, if they wish, can have their dealer install the label for them.

Recall number 96V090000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1996 Ford Probe

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Ford Probe 83

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 83 bulletins for the 1996 Ford Probe

1996 Ford Probe fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD20-2328-3023-25
2.5L 6‑cylFWD182420-21

What 1996 Ford Probe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 19, 2011 · Suspension · 168,000 miles · MI

Replaced right lower control arm assembly with a new part from o'reilly autoparts store on 8/31/10 and on 11/05/10 the ball joint came completely out of the new control arm making an extremely unsafe driving condition. Defective new part, replaced it again on 11/09/10 with another new replacement part from o'reilly autoparts store.

Filed Jul 16, 2008 · Suspension · 80,031 miles · MI

Lt front spring broke & punctured the inside sidewall of the tire making it go flat.

Filed Jun 24, 2008 · Transmission · 152,000 miles · OH

Automatic transmission failure. Second time. This needs to be addressed very expensive to repair.

Filed Nov 18, 2006 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · OH

1996 ford probe se auto transmission failure,same as mazda 626 all of these cars have the same problem that cost thousands to fix,check the internet,why hasn't there been a recall?

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 89,584 miles · IL

I was driving down the road and as soon as I got up to speed past 30 miles per hour it kicked into to gear really hard and I could feel the transmission barely slipping into gear..and had to have the water pump flushed it was over heating thought it was the thermostat but it was checked and fine so I had to replace the water pump...was missing a motor mount on one side and the other was corrodded.. When I are driving down the road I can hear my car 4 blocks away..brakes aren't right they don't press down like they should and half the time they just don't work...if I am lucky, I have to start braking around 2 blocks away, I may stop in time. I purchased this car on july 16,2006 and this all happened starting july 17,2006. Payments have been made on time and have had two estimates as they requested for all the repairs but they still are stating I have to come up with half the money upfront and then they will tact on the rest to the end of my bill I owe to pay off the car.

Filed May 20, 2006 · Transmission · OH

I have a 96 ford probe that the transmission was bad. It was an automatic . With it being an automatic it would seem that they would not go bad compared to a manual transmission. I've been reading that a lot of the mazda/ford transmission are terrible and people has had problems with the transmission which is the cd4e. I would like to just like to let other people know they are not the only one with the same problem of the cd4e. I've had it fixed however the mechanics must still not have it exactly correct cause its still is not working right. So now I have to take it back in for them to look over again.

Filed Nov 22, 2005 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · FL

1996 ford probe transmission problems ( same as mazda 626 transmission . Its been rebuilt 2 times already and now needs a 3rd , only 120000 miles and all that!!! Costs thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars!!!

Filed Nov 28, 2004 · Transmission · 66,700 miles · NE

I own a 96 ford probe with a cd4e transmission with only 66000 miles on it. A few days my transmission started to act up. It would rev high then shift into 2nd gear, when atempting to shift into 3rd gear, it just wouldn't. This causes my car to only go a blistering speed of 45mph?!? This transmission , the cd4e, is produced by mazda and is also in the 626. I search the web to see if anyone had the same problems and now I want to get rid of my car I fell in love with 4 years ago. There are thousands of people with the same transmission problems from 94-to 99. Thousand of reported problems but no recall? We need someone to take action againt mazda and the problem transmission.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Wheels · FL

While driving a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer pulled over, and noticed that the passenger side rear rim exploded. Consumer changed the tire, and drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · FL

Intermittently vehicle failed to start. Engine cranked but wouldn't turn over. Also while driving vehicle stalled. Mechanic replaced the ground wire and distributor, but the problems still exists.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1996 Ford Probe before you buy

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Questions about the 1996 Ford Probe

Is the 1996 Ford Probe reliable?

Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 1996 Ford Probe, fewer than a typical Probe model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Ford Probe?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 17 complaints, typically around 89,584 miles. Next is engine (13).

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Probe have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What year does the Ford Probe have bad transmission?

The Ford Probe model years with the most transmission complaints are 1994 (29 complaints), 1995 (19 complaints) and 1993 (17 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Probe get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Ford Probe range from 20 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-23 city and 28-30 highway.

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