1995 Ford Probe Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission trouble — rough or erratic shifting, a flashing overdrive light, slipping gears and, in some cases, loss of gears or reverse — typically on cars well past 80,000 miles. The second recurring theme is a power steering assist that stiffens or briefly locks, often after highway driving or when slowing for an exit. Scattered reports cover cooling and engine-running complaints, seat belts coming undone or fraying, and ABS behavior over rough pavement.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, hard shifting and flashing overdrive

   • 15 complaints (17%)
   • median 109,325 mi at 8.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe grinding between first and second gear on manual cars, and on automatics a flashing overdrive light followed by slipping during 2-3 and 3-4 shifts, jerking, unexpected downshifts at speed, or complete loss of a gear. Several owners report fluid that was found dirty or burnt and a damaged torque converter, and some had the transmission rebuilt or replaced. Shops and dealers reportedly diagnosed transmission failure after the warning light appeared. Most reports come in between roughly 50,000 and 145,000 miles, often after a fluid and filter service.

   What to check: Drive the car through every gear, including overdrive, and watch for a flashing overdrive light or delayed engagement. Ask for transmission service records and check fluid color and smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “O/d light began to flash and noticed a poor shift pattern in the transmission. A week later I had no reverse and could no longer drive the car. Transmission repair cost $1400 to $2200 depending on warranty values. I have not repaired the vehicle yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104946, filed 2005-01, 130,000 miles

   “We were making a 500 mile trip to go to a funeral and when climbing a long, steep grade the interior of the car filled up with smoke. I stopped at the nearest service station and observed transmission fluid leaking out from underneath the vehicle. I quickly added enough fluid to bring the level up to normal. For the remainder of the trip, every time the transmission overheated, the smoke was quite noticable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10110134, filed 2005-02
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling, hard starting and rough running

   • 17 complaints (20%)
   • median 82,681 mi at 8.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the car stalling at a stop, idling poorly, surging or briefly cutting out at cruise, and intermittent no-starts where the engine cranks but will not fire. Some owners were told spark plugs or wires were the cause and had them replaced, sometimes repeatedly, without a lasting fix. Others mention moisture reaching the plug area and a catalytic converter that glowed red. Spread broadly across the sample; several reports involve higher-mileage cars and repeated shop visits.

   What to check: Start the car from cold and again when warm, and let it idle in gear to see whether it stalls. Ask for records of ignition and fuel-system work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle experiencing ongoing problems with the following: 1. Hatchback hydraulic cylinder failed to operate; 2. Vehicle wanders to the right while driving, and dealer unable to correct the problem; 3. Grinding noise from front of vehicle, and 4. Moisture got into spark plugs area, causing engine to lose power. Vehicle had been inspected by dealer shop; causes and reasons could not be verified. Manufacturer notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #839931, filed 1999-06

   “The car stalls every day at least twice. I proceed to a complete stop, the RPM's drop to zero and the car stalls. When the heat or AC is being used the RPM's are boosted up to 1000 and the problem is temporarily fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #714870, filed 1999-11
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering stiffens or locks briefly

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 4.2 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe the steering becoming heavy or locking for a few seconds, often after sustained highway running or while slowing for an exit, then freeing up on its own. Some report the wheel feeling heavy during parking maneuvers, and a few say the wheel was off-center. Complaints note that dealers could not reproduce or pinpoint the problem, with the rack or pump suggested as possibilities. Reported across the mileage range in the sample, with the highway-then-exit pattern mentioned repeatedly.

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and then slow to an exit ramp to feel for steering that stiffens, and check the wheel for centeredness. Ask whether the power steering pump has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Note: I reported this once already about 2-3 years ago...a search of the database indicates several people have also reported this problem, but there hasn't been an inquiry yet- why not?? Based on my research, the problem seems to be a faulty Ford variable-assist power steering pump- at high rpms, it makes steering more stiff.. It fails to loosen when slowing down (e.g. Coming off an exit after traveling at highway speeds). Searching the web finds many other people who have experienced this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #723454, filed 2000-06

   “Power steering fails when rpms are greater than 3500 for more than five minutes. Remains inoperative until 10-20 seconds when idle engine speed is encontered, at which time it works well until next 3500 rpms for more than 5 minutes is reached.”

   NHTSA complaint #518899, filed 1997-08
4. 4
   Seat belts

   Seat belt does not latch or retract

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 2,500 mi at 1.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2003

   Owners report the driver's belt coming undone while driving, buckles coming apart, belts that do not retract, and stitching that frays. Some had belts replaced under warranty only to see the replacement behave the same way, and several say dealers declined a free replacement or could not find a fault. No mileage figure is given in most of these reports; one owner notes the car was past 50,000 miles.

   What to check: Pull each belt fully out and let it retract, then latch and tug firmly to confirm it holds. Inspect the webbing near the buckle for fraying or loose stitching.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My driver's side seatbelt comes undone by itself while I'm driving. Bayview Ford in daphne said they would not replace it for me at no charge because my car has over 50,000 miles on it. This is a piece of safety equipment required by the government. Shouldn't they just replace it without me having to pay for it?”

   NHTSA complaint #715079, filed 1999-11
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Hatch and door latches, hatch struts

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 2.1 yrs old
   • filed 1997–1999

   Complaints describe the hatchback falling closed on its own, door opening while driving, and hatch support cylinders that no longer hold the lid up. Owners note the hatch is heavy, especially with a factory spoiler, and that dealers did not replace parts in the door-pop case. No consistent mileage pattern in the sample; several reports involve low-mileage cars.

   What to check: Open the hatch and confirm the struts hold it up on their own, and check that each door stays latched when pushed from inside.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am the only owner of the 1995 Ford Probe gt . From the start the car has been into a Ford dealer over 25 times ! Ford has many service notice defects out on this car ! Water gets inside the car when washed or in the rain ! The head gaskets leak from day one ! The moon roof has rust on it ! The hatch back shocks are worthless ! The alarm comes on when it wants to ! The cv axles leak trans oil ! Ford made a new cv boot to stop the oil leaks ! No one ever told me ! The brake rotors were replaced at 30000 miles ! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10021479, filed 2003-06, 2,500 miles

   “When driving the driver's side door will pop open for no apparent reason. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has not replaced any parts. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #821077, filed 1998-02

Buying note. On this model year, prioritize a thorough test drive of the automatic transmission and a highway-to-exit check of the power steering, since those are the most frequent complaints. Budget for possible transmission work and confirm seat belts latch and retract properly.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.