VehicleVerdict

1994 Ford Probe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 207 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Probe year — the 1994 model ranks #3 of 12 Probe years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 22 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 53 reports (26% of the total).

207

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

22

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Probe years?

Probe NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted378 complaints1984: 1 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 103 complaints1990: 378 complaints1991: 198 complaints1992: 101 complaints1993: 249 complaints1994: 207 complaints1995: 130 complaints1996: 77 complaints1997: 38 complaints1999: 1 complaints
Probe NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Probe years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Ford Probe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes5326%
Electrical System3014%
Engine2914%
Transmission2914%
Seat Belts136%
Airbags126%
Fuel System94%
Tires & Wheels73%
Steering73%
Other42%
Speed Control31%
Suspension31%
Seats21%
Body & Structure21%
Latches & Locks21%
Visibility & Wipers10%
Lighting10%

Does the 1994 Ford Probe have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

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.

05E065000Fuel SystemOctober 5, 2005 · 42,962 units

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. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.

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.

93V169000AirbagsOctober 15, 1993 · 217 units

Defect

IF THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THAT SEATING POSITION, THE AIR BAG CAN DETACH FROM, AND DEFORM, THE MOUNTING BRACKET.

Consequence

INSTALLATION OF A REPLACEMENT PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAGWOULD BE IMPEDED BY THE DAMAGE TO THE MOUNTING BRACKET AND WOULD REQUIRE MOREEXPENSIVE REPAIR WORK. THIS MAY DETER THE VEHICLE OWNER FROM HAVING THE REPAIRMADE AND THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG INSTALLED, WHICH WOULD PLACE FUTURE PASSENGERSAT HIGHER RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

A NEW AIR BAG MODULE WITH A SLIGHTLY REVISED DOOR TO IMPROVE FIT AND APPEARANCE WILL BE INSTALLED AND A DOUBLER WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET TO MORE SECURELY RETAIN THE MODULE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CAME OUT OF GEAR (PARKING BREAK HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT ) ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND ROLLED 50 FEET DOWN HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE WHOLE BACK END CAME OFF. THE CAR IS MADE OF NOTHING. THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I THINK ALL FORD PRODUCTS ARE BAD AND COST TO MUCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 18, 2003 · crash

“AT STOP LIGHT VEHICLE WAS HIT BY DRUNK DRIVER IN RIGHT REAR & FRONT. THIS CAUSED LIGHTS INSIDE THE PANEL TO FLASH ON/OFF. INSURANCE CO. INSPECTOR CHECKED VEHICLE & NOTICED THAT IT WAS INVOLVED IN PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. HAD NO PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE OR WIRES. VEHICLE WAS POORLY RECONSTRUCTED, WIRES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2000 · crash

“THE VALVE BOX IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LETTING GO I HAVE FIXED IT 2 TIMES AND IT JUST LET GO AGAIN I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD HAS TO BE LOOKIN INTO THE RECALLS ON THE FROD PROBE... I AM STILL TRING TO GET THE TRANMISSON FIXED AGAIN ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 15, 2001 · crash

“OWNER WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKE STARTED TO FILL THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND CAUSED THE WHOLE VEHICLE TO BURN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 25, 1998 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AT NIGHT ON DRY ROADS CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION THAT RESULTED IN DRIVERS SIDE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT NOT ENGAGING, CONSUMER DIED AS A RESULT.*AK (CHIEF DEPUTY CORONER, ARDEN HUGHES ON BEHALF OF DECEASED). *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 21, 2001 · crash

1994 Ford Probe — common questions

Is the 1994 Ford Probe reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 207 complaints put the 1994 model at #3 of 12 Probe years. It is one of the Probe years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 Probe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (53 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints), engine (29 complaints).

Does the 1994 Ford Probe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Ford Probe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Ford Probe under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Probe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Probe years to avoid are 1990, 1993, 1994, 1991. The cleanest record among Probe years belongs to 1988.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.