1989 Ford Probe
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Ford Probe is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.
1989 Ford Probe at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1989 Ford Probe recalls 1
THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Fix: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1989 Ford Probe common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1989 Ford Probe MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1989 Ford Probe costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 Ford Probe. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 4
SEATBACK RECLINE MECHANISM FAILURE Closed
ON JUNE 29, 2007, NHTSA RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. RICHARD H. MCSWAIN OF MCSWAIN ENGINEERING INC., REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE SEATBACK RECLINER FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED A FAILURE MODE INVOLVING BYPASS OF THE SEATBACK STOP PIN WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FALSE OR PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE SECTOR AND PAWL TEETH, ALLOWING THE SEATBACK TO RECLINE IN A VEHICULAR COLLISION. ODI B…
NHTSA #DP07001 · Seats · opened Jul 2007 · closed Dec 2007MAZDA RX7 AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE Closed
MALFUNCTION OF THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM
NHTSA #PE96027 · Seat Belts · opened Apr 1996 · closed Sep 1996ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE91124 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Sep 1991 · closed Dec 1991TRANSMISSION OIL LINE FIRE Closed
NHTSA #PE89166 · Power Train · opened Sep 1989 · closed Dec 1989An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 23
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 23.
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT
Bulletin 99816 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 1999FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
Bulletin 98246 · Electrical System · Dec 1998INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC
Bulletin 9874 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
Bulletin 9852 · Tires · Apr 1998THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC
Bulletin 985A13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 1998RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT
Bulletin 985A12 · Equipment · Mar 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PROBE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Ford Probe. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
THE FUEL PUMP WIRING ASSEMBLY MAY CORRODE DUE TO ROAD SALT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL BRIDGE DEVELOPING BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENDER TERMINALS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL SENDER GROUND CIRCUIT TO OVERHEAT THE WIRING AND MELT ITS INSULATION CAUSING SMOKE AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO OTHER WIRING. CORRECTION: A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS WILL BE…
Transport Canada #1995099 · Jun 1995Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Probe
The Ford Probe is a sport compact coupe that was marketed by Ford from the 1988 to 1997 model years. Taking its name from a futuristic series of aerodynamic concept vehicles, the Probe was originally developed as the fourth-generation Ford Mustang. As news of the design change became discovered in the mid-1980s, a profoundly negative response to the potential new model convinced Ford to maintain the Mustang under its traditional pony car format. To recoup its investment in the project, Ford ultimately released the design under a different name, slotting it above the Escort and Tempo coupes and below the Mustang and Thunderbird.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.