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1996 Ford Probe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Probe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →
52Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
205
1993166
199486
199552
199627
19971
1999
Compare all Probe years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
17Engine And Engine Cooling
13Electrical System
4Seat Belts
4Steering
4
All reported categories
Suspension
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Air Bags
2Equipment
2Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Structure
2Visibility
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 52 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

13 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

BELTS WERE REPLACED. WHEN DRIVING AT 60MPH, AND TURNING ON EXIT, A REPLACED BELT BROKE, CAUSING WHEELS TO LOCK. THE DEALER CONTACTED AND WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #829559

Mileage unknown · May 13, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSteering

SQUEAKING IN STEERING COLUMN CAUSED BY MISSING BOLT.

NHTSA ODI #517196

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE IS A VERY BAD SMELL COMING INTO THE VEHICLE THAT MAKES YOU SICK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #803152

Official recalls

1

96V090000 · Air Bags

Jun 3, 1996

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."

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.