MYRModel Year Report

1991 Ford Probe

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1991 Ford Probe
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:36.204Z

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
177
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

83% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1991: 177 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

83% · 147 reports

Most commonly citing webbing and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer was hit in the front and the seat belt retractor failed, consumer hit the steering *ak consumer states she was involved in an auto accident with another vehicle that was making an illegal left hand turn, and pulled out in front of her,...

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-01

Passive restrain failed to secure passenger during accident, causing injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-07-25

Failure on the driver side seat belt retractor, passive restraint failure, experiencing component malfuction, causing injury to the driver EA94-032A.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-07-02

Visibility

7% · 13 reports

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

FIRE

Engine and engine cooling

3% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE

Suspension

3% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing front.

Power train

3% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1990-11-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-01-22 Steering wheel separation
  2. ▮
    1991Complaint volume 177 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1991-03-25Seat belts91V016000 Brackets mounting automatic shoulder belt retractor assembly may have an understrength spot weld.

    Remedy: Install two bolts in the brackets to prevent shoulder belt failure.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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

1991 Ford Probe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 147 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V016000 · Seat belts
  • 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 1991 Ford Probe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Ford Probe is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Probe?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 83% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Probe have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

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