1992 Ford Probe recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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 RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 PROBE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V172002.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Summary: 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 RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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 THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 PROBE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V172001.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Summary: 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 THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
What could happen: IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
The fix: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 PROBE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93E035000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
Summary: THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Consequence: IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; SHOE AND DRUM SYSTEMS; DRUM.EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: REPLACEMENT BRAKE DRUMS FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, MIDASPART NO. BD 1552.NOTES: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY AT1-800-424-9393.EMPIRE MOTOR COMPANY, LTD., OF TOKYO, JAPAN MANUFACTURED THESE BRAKE DRUMS. THEU.S.A. REPRESENTATIVE IS EMC OF AMERICA, LOS ANGELES, CA.THESE BRAKE DRUMS WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES FROM JULY 13, 1993 THROUGHSEPTEMBER 30, 1993.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1992 Ford Probe owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (58), Electrical system (8), Transmission / drivetrain (7), Equipment (4), Engine (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/13/2010 · Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY BOOKS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. SHE REFERENCE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V172001, SEA…
05/04/2010 · Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE BELT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO LOOK UP THE REMEDY IN THE DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO TH…
03/29/2010 · Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 96V172001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING) WAS PERFORMED IN 2007 BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE COMPLAINT DOES NOT EXPLAIN WHAT WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED AGAIN FREE OF CHARG…
05/01/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A 92 PROBE V6 WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT I HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING ONE WEEK WHEN I WAS TRAVELING TO SCHOOL AND WHEN I CAME HOME THAT WEEKEND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. AFTER LETTING IT SIT I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME, ALTHOUGH IT SHIFTED ROUGH FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST AND TO SECOND, THEN WOULDN'T…
09/08/2006 · Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE (LEFT) PASSIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS WORN SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAS BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE. ACCORDING THE LETTER WRITTEN BY MR. JONATHAN D. WHITE RECALL ANALYSIS DIVISION OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION SAFETY ASSURA…
04/01/2004 · Seat belts
AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE. THE SHOULDER STRAP IS JAMMED IN THE RAIL BEHIND THE SHOULDER OF THE DRIVER. RECALL 96V172001 WAS ISSUED ON MAKE,/MODEL AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK *LA
04/24/2003 · Wheels / tires
THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE, AND HE SOON DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *JB
03/03/2003 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT BROKE. IN 1996 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TRACK, AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER SEAT BELT WAS ALREADY BROKE, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WROTE A LETTER TO FORD ABOUT THE SEAT BELT AND EVENTUALLY IT WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS FINE. IN…