MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford Probe

▲ Better than typical
1989 Ford Probe
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:11.321Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
79
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 79 complaints 1989 79 1990: 329 complaints 1991: 177 complaints 1991 1992: 79 complaints 1993: 206 complaints 1993 1994: 175 complaints 1995: 87 complaints 1995 1996: 52 complaints 1997: 27 complaints 1997 1999: 1 complaint
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 79 complaints 1989 79 1990: 329 complaints 1990 1991: 177 complaints 1991 1992: 79 complaints 1992 1993: 206 complaints 1993 1994: 175 complaints 1994 1995: 87 complaints 1995 1996: 52 complaints 1996 1997: 27 complaints 1997 1999: 1 complaint 1999
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 79 complaints 1989 79 1990: 329 complaints 1990 1991: 177 complaints 1991 1992: 79 complaints 1992 1993: 206 complaints 1993 1994: 175 complaints 1994 1995: 87 complaints 1995 1996: 52 complaints 1996 1997: 27 complaints 1997 1999: 1 complaint 1999

1989: 79 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19880
198979
1990329
1991177
199279
1993206
1994175
199587
199652
199727
19991

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

33% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

Show complaint excerpts

While driving the car on the road, a car pulled in front of me and I braked hard and my seatbelt locked. But after this incident the seatbelt has never worked the same. The seatbelt doesn't lock, or retract. The car only has 48,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-11-27

I purchased a driver side seat belt on 8/17/02. I paid 131.00 for the part .all Ford parts are warranted for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Driver side seat belt would not retract back to release for more room, causing the seat belt to be improperly worn or not worn at all. Dealer has been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-25

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and radiator assembly.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Sometimes vehicle stalled when put into gear and engine would cut off while driving. *ph this was an intermittent problem. The mechanic was unable to find the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-23

Visibility

14% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.

Show complaint excerpts

Power window unit replaced five times due to faulty plastic gear which continues to disintegrate.

NHTSA ODI report, 1993-09-22

Electrical system

14% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Shorts out everything in the steering column and almost caught the garage on fire. Please describe. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-10-17

The engine stops unexpectedly while driving, cutting out the power brakes and power steering and making my front-heavy front wheel drive car very very hard to steer and very very difficult to stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-16

Also filed under Engine and steering

Spark plugs were ejected from engine twice, stripping threads from aluminum head.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-04

Power train

10% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Auto-transmission; when engaged in park, vehicle rolled down driveway after being parked for (3) hours. Gear shift found in reverse w/emergency brake engaged.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-24

Also filed under Parking brake

Safety timeline

1 recall · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1989-09-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-12-22 Transmission oil line fire
  2. I
    1991-09-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-12-23 Engine compartment fires
  3. R
    1993-09-30Service brakes, hydraulic93E035000 The groove for the rear wheel bearing retainer ring was incorrectly machined.

    Remedy: Midas shops will replace the brake drums with other brake drums from another supplier.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1996-04-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-09-30 Mazda RX7 automatic seat belt failure
  5. I
    2007-07-30Defect petitionClosed 2007-12-05 Seatback recline mechanism failure

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Ford Probe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93E035000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Ford Probe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Ford Probe is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Probe?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Probe have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.