MYRModel Year Report

1990 Ford Probe

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1990 Ford Probe
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
329
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

88% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 79 complaints 1990: 329 complaints 1990 329 1991: 177 complaints 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 1990: 329 complaints 1990 329 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 1990: 329 complaints 1990 329 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

1990: 329 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

88% · 291 reports

Most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Passenger's motor belt broke at track during accident, causing passenger to be thrown through windshield, resulting in death.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-16

Power seat belt jammed/and then released, catching driver's hand, resulting in an injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-16

Seat belt buckle unlatched during a rollover, causng driver to be ejected/severe injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-07

Electrical system

4% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.

FIRE

Engine and engine cooling

3% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing engine and turbo/supercharger.

Visibility

3% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and glass, side/rear.

FIRE

Service brakes

3% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1989-10-13Vehicle speed control89V159000 Throttle levers may have been bent during assembly.

    Remedy: Place affected vehicles on delivery hold until repaired.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1990Complaint volume 329 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    1991-09-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-12-23 Engine compartment fires
  4. 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 →

  5. I
    1994-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-09-08 Pass.restraint malfunction
  6. I
    1994-09-08Engineering analysisClosed 1996-09-30 Passive restraint failures
  7. I
    1996-04-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-09-30 Mazda RX7 automatic seat belt failure
  8. R
    1996-10-11Seat belts96V172001 Note: driver's side (Left) passive seat belt assembly. The rail of the automatic shoulder belt can wear sufficiently such that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly will become jammed in…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace driver side and inoperative passenger side shoulder belt track assemblies.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    1996-10-11Seat belts96V172002 Note: passenger side (Right) seat belt assembly. The rail of the automatic shoulder belt can wear sufficiently such that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly will become jammed in the…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace driver side and inoperative passenger side shoulder belt track assemblies.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1998-07-31Recall queryClosed 1999-02-16 Automatic shoulder belt
  11. I
    2007-07-30Defect petitionClosed 2007-12-05 Seatback recline mechanism failure

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Ford Probe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 291 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V159000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 93E035000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 96V172001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 96V172002 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Ford Probe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Ford Probe is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford Probe?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 88% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Probe have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.