Model year record

1996 Ford Probe

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 77 owner complaints on file.

Ford Probe, 1993–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1993–1997 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V090000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,740
Reported to NHTSA
1996-06-03
Owners notified
1996-07-10

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABEL.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1589,584 mi
Electrical system: ignition4115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Air bags: frontal2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Steering: rack and pinion2—
Structure: body: door2—
Suspension: front280,031 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling189,584 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper189,584 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Unknown or other1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Probe model years

All Ford Probe recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.