1993 Ford Probe

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1993 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.

Complaints
206
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1993: 206 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.

Service brakes

32% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIRE

Electrical system

17% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

FIREINJURY

Air bags

13% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Airbag did not deploy during front end collision at 55 MPH when it struck a concrete culbit, minor injuries. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-26

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIRE

Power train

9% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Automatic transaxle on my 1993 Probe gt has an unexplained defect. Most repair businesses will not even touch these cars due to reputation. After $500 in diagnostic fees, the problem was ruled unexplained by aamco.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-15

The transmission in my 93 Ford Probe is shot. There is no service station, etc. That will even touch the thing. They are know for this and you can't even get someone to work on it. Ford or Mazda should be paying for this.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-10

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1993Complaint volume 206 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1993-06-25Structure93V058000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower pivot pin that joins the liftgate gas strut to the body can separate from the lower strut mounting bracket due to an undersized rivet head.

    Remedy: Replace liftgate strut assemblies having undersized pivot pin rivet head diameters with assemblies with adequate pivot pin rivet heads.

  3. I
    1998-05-04SQClosed 1998-05-08 Audio system fires
  4. R
    2005-09-27Fuel system, gasoline05E065000 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…

    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…

  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

  6. R
    2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 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…

    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.

Buy-smart checklist

1993 Ford Probe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 66 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V058000 · Structure
  • Recall 05E065000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1993 Ford Probe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Ford Probe is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Probe?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 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.