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1997 Ford Probe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Probe are lower than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →
27Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
166
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

Engine And Engine Cooling
13Air Bags
4Electrical System
4Power Train
3Seats
2
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Tires
2Seat Belts
1Suspension
1Visibility
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: 4 of 27 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 4 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.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

27 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 2 MILES AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. RECALL NHTSA 98V-206/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S30. DEALER INSPECTED TIMING BELT TENSIONER, AND STATED THAT IT WAS OK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #835752

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY (OFF) THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE TOOK PLACE APPROX 15 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS TURNED OFF. IT HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROX 3 MINUTES. THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT A FIRE WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN. IE; SMOKE OR TEMP INDICATOR READING HOT.

NHTSA ODI #704321

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1998
Seats

ON DRIVER SIDE A GIANT BAR HAS POPPED OUT WHICH IS PRESSING AGAINST CONSUMER'S BACK. COULD ALSO CAUSE INJURIES AND PAIN IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832389

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 1997
Visibility

HEATER MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA ODI #526505

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLS CONTINUOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI #524347

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE "DIED" AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE TRAVELING.

NHTSA ODI #523729

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. *AK DEALER REMOVED ALL FOUR WHEELS TO CHECK THE BRAKES, HOWEVER FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #817220

Official recalls

1

98V206002 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Nov 3, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

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.