1997 Ford Probe Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1997 Ford Probe, and owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1997 Ford Probe
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Engine (engine and engine cooling)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.
27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Ford Probe have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 62,724 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 6 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I have a 1997 ford probe gt 6 cylinder. The over drive light keep flickering over drive off and then check engine light stays on for days. I had this checked out and the tps throttle position sensor c”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 14, 2006 · Power train
“The automatic transmission (cd4e) has been acting up, overdrive light on dash starts flashing whih then causes harsh shifting and power loss in tranny and engine. I have read hundreds of complaints ab”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 9, 2004 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Ford Probe. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–23 / 24–30 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Ford Probe model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Probe model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 Ford Probe | 0 | 1 |
| 1989 Ford Probe | 0 | 77 |
| 1990 Ford Probe | 3 | 323 |
| 1991 Ford Probe | 3 | 177 |
| 1992 Ford Probe | 2 | 79 |
| 1993 Ford Probe | 1 | 205 |
| 1994 Ford Probe | 1 | 166 |
| 1995 Ford Probe | 0 | 86 |
| 1996 Ford Probe | 1 | 52 |
| 1997 Ford Probe | 1 | 27 |
| 1999 Ford Probe | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1997 Ford Probe
How do I know if my 1997 Ford Probe has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1997 Ford Probe; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 98V206002).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.