RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

1989 Ford Probe recalls & complaints

1 recall on file (0 high risk). Normal for this age of vehicle — just make sure they're done.
1recalls
0high risk
0stop-driving
98complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

1 safety recall, most serious first

Moderate Campaign 93E035000 · announced 13/10/1993 (32 years ago)

1. 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

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 PROBE.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93E035000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. 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.

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

98complaints
6crashes
6fires
2injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (27), Engine (17), Electrical system (12), Visibility (wipers / glass) (12), Transmission / drivetrain (8).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

11/27/2019 · Seat belts
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE ROAD, A CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME AND I BRAKED HARD AND MY SEATBELT LOCKED. BUT AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE SEATBELT HAS NEVER WORKED THE SAME. THE SEATBELT DOESN'T LOCK, OR RETRACT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. I CAN'T EVEN FIND PARTS TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE CAR IS SO OLD. VERY U…

11/04/2015 · Electrical system
AFTER PULLING ALL FUSES IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH VEHICLE OFF, TO CHECK THEM AND PUTTING THEM ALL BACK, VERIFYING SEVERAL TIMES THE CORRECT LOCATION, THE CAR CRANKS BUT NO LONGER STARTS. THERE IS NO SPARK, NO FUEL PRESSURE. IGNITION COIL GETS 12V POWER TO BOTH PRONGS UNTIL CRANKING, THEN LOSSES ALL POWER. 4EAT COMPUTER UNDER THE DASH REPORTS FAULT WITH THE THROT…

07/16/2014 · Steering
THE ENGINE STOPS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING, CUTTING OUT THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING AND MAKING MY FRONT-HEAVY FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR VERY VERY HARD TO STEER AND VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE ENGINE STOPS UNEXPECTEDLY OFTEN, WITHOUT WARNING. I THOUGHT THIS WAS TIED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT CHANGING THE SWITCH AND WIRING DID NOT HELP. AT THE…

07/16/2014 · Steering
THE CAR VIBRATES TERRIBLY FROM THE FRONT END SINCE NEW. ALL NINE TIMES I TOOK IN DURING THE FIRST YEAR, WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND DID NOT MENTION MY WARRANTY, AND I WAS GIVEN A $10,000 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR. FORD STILL REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT TURNS OUT THE FRONT AXLES ARE DE…

07/16/2014 · Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1989 FORD PROBE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

07/16/2014 · Seat belts
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. THEREFORE, IT WILL NOT RETRACT IN AN ACCIDENT, IMPAIRING MY SAFETY. I BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. THERE IS A 1990 RECALL THAT FORD USED TO SCAM THE OWNERS OF THE 1989 MODELS OUT OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE 1989 WAS THE FIRST YEAR MADE AND ONLY MADE FOR A FEW MONTHS BEFORE BUILDING…

04/20/2004 · Engine
SOMETIMES VEHICLE STALLED WHEN PUT INTO GEAR AND ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *PH THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB

01/15/2004 · Seat belts
I PURCHASED A DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ON 8/17/02. I PAID 131.00 FOR THE PART .ALL FORD PARTS ARE WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. INCLUDING SEAT BELTS, EVEN IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AFTER THAT WARRANTY EXPIRES THEY KEEP MY MONEY AND I HAVE A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT THAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. I DECIDED TO SAVE MONEY AND INSTALL IT MYSELF. THE SEAT BELT WOR…

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