1997 Ford Probe Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford Probe (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford Probe. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 13 complaints (48% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and electrical system (4). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling13 48%
- Air bags4 15%
- Electrical system4 15%
- Brakes2 7.4%
- Seats2 7.4%
- Tires2 7.4%
- Seat belts1 3.7%
- Suspension1 3.7%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Back in beginning of january I received a recall notice from Ford on my 1997 Probe. They said there was a possible defect in the timing belt tensioner. Their recall number is 98s30. The letter said to call Ford and tell them what dealership I wanted to take my car to and they would send the part to that dealership and have the dealership contact me. …”
NHTSA complaint #706334, filed 1999-05Air bags: “Involved in automobile accident in lexington ky approximate speed at 20 MPH crashed the front of vehicle and the airbags did not deployed front of vehicle sustained major damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10023044, filed 2003-06, 79,000 milesElectrical system: “Engine problems since owning car. Car cranks but won't start. Has happened too many times to count since I've owned the car. The incident date I chose was the first time it happened. It happened the first time 2 months after a recall repair had been done and has continued until today. The vehicle component I chose is a guess since the problem has never been determined. Many things have been replaced but the problem persists.”
NHTSA complaint #10002816, filed 2003-01, 16,897 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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 check out bad so I had this replaced. This problem still exist. I went to several service stations they all say I don't know. I would just ignore this but the slows down to lower gear this is scary. I love this Ford Probe is there anything I can do. I found a sight on the internet and relayed a intercooling for the trans, is this correct!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10168212, filed 2006-09, 98,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 57,000 and 79,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Ford Probe. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe · coupe | not rated | 5 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Ford Probe version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probe FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Probe FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Probe FWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Probe FWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V206002Nov 3, 1998Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Ford Probe 1997
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
Recall details for the 1997 Ford Probe → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1997 Ford Probe.
Other model years of the Ford Probe
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 27 | 68,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 52 | 97,792 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 86 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 166 | 97,500 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 205 | 74,550 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 79 | 106,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 177 | 113,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 323 | 107,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 77 | 84,475 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Ford Probe model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Ford Probe have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford Probe as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Ford Probe is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 13 complaints (48% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 1997 Ford Probe been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Probe get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Ford Probe (Probe, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Ford Probe reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,000 miles and the middle half falls between 57,000 and 79,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.