1997 Ford Probe Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 11%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Ford Probe, 11% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,500 miles.
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.
“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 miles“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 about these transmissions and believe it should be the responsibility of the manufacturer to take care of these problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10090730, filed 2004-09, 57,000 miles“Ford (hq and dealer) have been repeatedly contacted on these issues. Ford's internal review board issued aruling stating that no compensatory action is appropriate. Ford issued an offer to have a district representative oversee a representative within fourteen days of their ruling, which I did not receive until the offer had expired. I have taken the vehicle to another Ford garage with similar denial of anything wrong being wrong with the vehicle. Their is obviously something wrong with the brakes - they squeal almost continuously. …”
NHTSA complaint #737115, filed 2000-11Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Probe
13 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Probe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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