1994 Ford Probe Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 17%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 Ford Probe, 17% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The valve box in the transmission keeps letting go I have fixed it 2 times and it just let go again I have paid out of pocket for these repairs but it seems to me that Ford has to be lookin into the recalls on the frod Probe... I am still tring to get the tranmisson fixed again”
NHTSA complaint #10069096, filed 2004-01, 84,000 miles“Cd4e automatic transmission has a severe slip between the high gears. The engine revs very high, the tachometer heads to the red line and the transmission will slam into the higher gear. I have been told that this vehicle needs a new transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10049006, filed 2003-12, 96,000 miles“3rd transmission failure within a 4 year period even with a transmission cooler installed. Vehicle only has 115000 miles. Last transmission lasted only a little over a year.”
NHTSA complaint #10182885, filed 2007-02, 82,000 miles“I would like to report the failure of the cd4e 1994 transmission. There is only 113000 miles on this car and the transmission should not have gone out. I would like help in paying to get this well known problem repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #754965, filed 2001-11“Transmission failed. Only 2 weeks after spending nearly $600 on replacing the front axles, the transmission totally failed. I was driving down the road at 35 MPH and felt a slight jerk. After which, the car wouldn't kick into gear. I managed to make it home, but when I tried to take it back to the shop, the car wouldn't move. I have been told that the cd4e transmission was designed to fail. I've been told this by multiple people, including one ex-Ford mechanic. He also used the term throw away car?! …”
NHTSA complaint #751322, filed 2001-08Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1994 Ford Probe
48 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Ford Probe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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