1989 Ford Probe Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 17%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1989 Ford Probe, 17% of the 77 complaints for this model year. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car spontaneously combusted after being parked and turned off for two hours. It then must have ignited the starter and stalled itself, and forced itself to move forward 10 to 20 feet. When moving forward ,up hill, it ran into a building, doing no physical damage except for fire burns left on the wall.”
NHTSA complaint #702620, filed 1999-01“Sometimes vehicle stalled when put into gear and engine would cut off while driving. This was an intermittent problem. The mechanic was unable to find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10068566, filed 2004-04“At top of a hill vehicle at low idle. Suddenly vehicle stalled out. Steering shutdown. Had no control. Vehicle started to roll down hill. Applied brakes to no avail. Used emergency brakes to slow down until gravity ended. Have taken to mechanic.”
NHTSA complaint #822281, filed 1998-04“Radiator exploded spewing hot water onto driver, causing first and second degree burns on face, hand, arm, stomach and lower abdominal region. Repairman states that this is a common problem because of faulty plastic used in radiator.”
NHTSA complaint #521797, filed 1997-07“Plastic top of radiator failed upon opening the hood..17 year old was sprayed with hot liquid and steam hospitalized with 2nd and 3rd degree burns 50% of body.”
NHTSA complaint #708546, filed 1999-07Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 13 | 48% |
| 1996 | 13 | 25% |
| 1995 | 16 | 19% |
| 1994 | 25 | 15% |
| 1993 | 23 | 11% |
| 1992 | 4 | 5% |
| 1991 | 5 | 3% |
| 1990 | 10 | 3% |
| 1989 | 13 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford Probe
26 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford Probe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology