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Ford Probe engine failure problems

17 of the 1,114 owner complaints about the Ford Probe describe engine failure, most of them for the 1993 model year.

owner complaints
17
worst model year
1993
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 1994
    4
  • 1993
    10
  • 1991
    1
  • 1990
    2

What owners say

Filed Dec 8, 2006 · Seat belts · IN

Driver side motorized seat belt seized in the middle of track.

Filed May 26, 2003 · Brakes · 70,400 miles · MN

Rear caliper brakes seized on my 1994 ford probe gt, causing extreme overheating and smoking.

Filed May 25, 2002 · Brakes · MN

1993 ford probe gt. Both rear brake calipers have each seized twice (both calipers were rebuilt by a dealer after the initial failures). When the failure occurs there is a burning brake smell, the rotor glows orange, the entire wheel gets extrememly hot, and the vehicle is destabilized towards oversteer. The brake pads are destroyed very quickly resulting in inoperative rear brakes (including the emergency brake). The brake rotor may also warp due to heat damage. It is difficult to immediately diagnose the failure correctly since it initially just seems like a loss of engine power. The problem is caused by a rubber seal (handbrake pivot-pin seal) that deteriorates prematurely allowing moisture and contamination to enter the caliper where is causes the needle bearings to corrode. It therefore only effects probe models with rear disc brakes (probe gt). Ford revised the rear calipers on probe gt's manufactured after 5-jan-1995 to correct the defect although earlier models were never corrected.

Filed Dec 1, 2000 · Brakes · NJ

Majority of 2nd generation probe owners have problem with emergency brake. Seizing of left rear brake caliper may cause emergency brakes to not operate during emergency. The brake cable may break due to seized pivot pin in the caliper or can cause unbalanced braking since one side will not work. If emergency brakes are applied during some speed the unbalancing of rear brakes may cause the car to spin out into deadly crash.

Filed Oct 25, 2000 · Electrical · CA

Vehicle shut down without warning at hwy speeds 65 MPH plus. After waiting 2 to 3 minutes, vehicle would restart and go another 7 to 8 miles and the same problem would recur. Engine died again without warning at hiway speeds.

Filed Apr 21, 2000 · Engine, Suspension · NV

Vehicle started shaking very badly. . Took to dealer who said that it needed a new engine.

Filed Oct 18, 1999 · Seat belts · MI

Seat belt connector on drivers side seized up in the window frame track and was repaired under recall campaign, seat belt connector has failed a second time but dealer refuses to fix at no cost.

Filed May 18, 1999 · Brakes, Suspension · PA

Both rear calipers have seized. I cannot use the handbrake when I park. Talked to 4 different dealers. All want an arm and leg to replace defective part. Resultant failure has caused bad bushings/rotors/tire wear.

Filed Feb 14, 1999 · Brakes · MD

Rear brake caliper seized, preventing the car from moving while still on the road.

Filed Feb 7, 1999 · Brakes · MD

The left rear caliper seized while the car was moving approx 30 MPH. My 2 year-old son was in the car at the time of the brake failure. The car skidded out of control and nearly left the wet road surface. I contacted 2 local ford dealers and they indicated. Incomplete summary.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported November 3, 1998 · 5,700 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
Risk
This condition can result in possible engine stalling.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.

Recall number 98V206002 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Probe engine failure

Which Ford Probe years have engine failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1993 (10 complaints), 1994 (4 complaints) and 1990 (2 complaints).

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