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.
Ford Probe loss of power problems
19 of the 1,114 owner complaints about the Ford Probe describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 1993 model year.
- owner complaints
- 19
- worst model year
- 1993
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
The vehicle lost power steering when a turn was made.
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.
While driving 55 MPH, overdrive light illuminated shortly after vehicle began to slowly lose power. Dealer identified transmission as the problem. Also, transmission has been replaced two times. *ak
It was a hot day. We had been on the interstate for approx 10 minutes when the vehicle began to lose power. The RPM indicator dropped to zero by the time we made it to the side of the road. This alone was a miracle as we lost complete power within seconds. The mechanic diagnosed the proble as the distributor. We've just learned that the tfi (thick film module) is being questioned as faulty in some makes of fords. The complaints have sparked recall cries all over the country. We had a new distributor installed yesterday, august 13, 2001. It has the same tfi module mounted on the distributor that the previous faulty distributor had. So, are we riding in another time bomb for a possible accident where we could possibly sustain injury or even loss of life. I sure hope not.
While driving on a freeway at 60 MPH rpms started to drop. Vehicle started to lose power and die. Consumer felt this was very dangerous because they were on the highway. Took to dealer, and they said it was distributor. Consumer replaced tfi module ,and replaced it with same part. There may be a defect in design of part. Please provide any further information.
This is a typical problem with this car: ignition cut-out at highway speeds due to heat. The ignitor overheats, causing sudden stop of the engine in highway traffic. The stopped engine also causes loss of power steering. This is a safety hazard that should be addressed by a recall. 1995 and later probes are equipped with a redesigned distributor that does not have this problem.
Ford (hq and dealer) have been repeatedly contacted on these issues. Ford's internal review board issued aruling stating that no compensatory action is appropriate. Ford issued an offer to have a district representative oversee a representative within fourteen days of their ruling, which I did not receive until the offer had expired. I have taken the vehicle to another ford garage with similar denial of anything wrong being wrong with the vehicle. Their is obviously something wrong with the brakes - they squeal almost continuously. Also, the engine / transmission power loss, vibrations, and intermittent hesitations have increased since my ownership of the vehicle. I am interested to see if other consumers have experienced similar problems and how these problems have been rectified. The issue with the bar in the seat developed within six months, I have simply dealt with it, until now as I have read on your site that other consumers have had this same problem. I request that I be contacted for informational purposes only, at this time, by the federal safety agency, as I do not wish to deal with ford or the indicated dealer(s) any longer. Also, the pa. Atty general's office - consumer affairs, was contacted with no action other than "documentation of the incident".at. No safety defec tlisted in summary.
At 50,000 lost steering control at 50 MPH. Felt like I had lost power assist. Had to force the steering wheel to move on a highway exit. Steering returned after stopping and forcing the wheel back a forth. Contacted ford customer assistance center and was told they have no recalls and would not repair. Previously both rear brake calipers froze closed. This occurred at 38,000 miles. I have noticed several complaints on this site referring to the same problem.
After reporting power loss and noise from exhaust system (catalytic converter turn to red) - dealer replaced spark plugs and wires.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- 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 loss of power
Which Ford Probe years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1993 (5 complaints), 1994 (5 complaints) and 1995 (3 complaints).
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