VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford Probe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1997 Ford Probe is among the quieter years of the Probe on NHTSA's books: 38 complaints (63% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (40% of the total).

38

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Probe years?

Probe NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Probe years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Ford Probe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1539%
Electrical System513%
Airbags411%
Brakes38%
Transmission38%
Seats25%
Suspension25%
Tires & Wheels25%
Seat Belts13%
Visibility & Wipers13%

Does the 1997 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.

98V206002EngineNovember 3, 1998 · 5,700 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 2 MILES AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. RECALL NHTSA 98V-206/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S30. DEALER INSPECTED TIMING BELT TENSIONER, AND STATED THAT IT WAS OK. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 9, 1999 · fire

“ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE OWNING CAR. CAR CRANKS BUT WON'T START. HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR. THE INCIDENT DATE I CHOSE WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME 2 MONTHS AFTER A RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE AND HAS CONTINUED UNTIL TODAY. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 5, 1999

“WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING 50MPH, VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. THERE WAS A FIVE CAR PILEUP. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK UP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 8, 2000 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 14, 2004

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. *AK DEALER REMOVED ALL FOUR WHEELS TO CHECK THE BRAKES, HOWEVER FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 18, 1997 · crash

1997 Ford Probe — common questions

Is the 1997 Ford Probe reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 38 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Probe year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Probe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), airbags (4 complaints).

Does the 1997 Ford Probe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Ford Probe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.