Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Ford Probe, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 33 | 16% |
| Power train | 27 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 11% |
| Seat belts | 14 | 7% |
| Air bags | 11 | 5% |
| Tires | 10 | 5% |
| Parking brake | 10 | 5% |
| Steering | 10 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD PROBE EQUIPPED WITH HERCULES RAPTURE (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 18570R14 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE STICKING OUT OF THE TIRE TREAD AREA. THE TIRE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD PROBE GT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED TO LOCK TO SECURE THE PASSENGERS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE ONE 1994 FORD PROBE 2.0 IS AFFILIATED WITH TSB NO. 96-21-3 THAT RECOGNIZES A DEFECT IN THE OIL PUMP. THE DEFECT IS ASSOCIATED WITH LIFTER BLEED DOWN, LOW OR HIGH OIL PRESSURE AND LACK OF POWER. WHI
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
1994 FORD PROBE, TRAVELING WEST ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE , THE RUBBER TREAD ON THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF, AND CAUSED DISABLING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0375-89)*JB
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD PROBE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS WERE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I JUST BOUGHT A 1994 FORD PROBE GT, ONLY TO FIND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD IN IT. AFTER SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE CAR I FOUND OUT THE 626 MAZDA TRANSMISSION THAT WAS PUT INTO THE CAR IS KNOWN FOR FAILING. I WAS DR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WAS DRIVING A 1994 FORD PROBE SE, GOING NORTH ON WESTNEDGE IN PORTAGE, MICHIGAN WHEN I NOTICED TOO LATE THAT CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED MOVING. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND REAR ENDED IT. I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POST
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1994 Ford Probe. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TUR
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIAT
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
IF THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THAT SEATING POSITION, THE AIR BAG CAN DETACH FROM, AND DEFORM, THE MOUNTING BRACKET.
Risk: INSTALLATION OF A REPLACEMENT PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAGWOULD BE IMPEDED BY THE DAMAGE TO THE MOUNTING BRACKET AND WOULD REQUIRE MOREEXPENSIVE REPAIR WORK. THIS MAY DETER THE VEHICLE OWNER FROM HAVING THE
Fix: A NEW AIR BAG MODULE WITH A SLIGHTLY REVISED DOOR TO IMPROVE FIT AND APPEARANCE WILL BE INSTALLED AND A DOUBLER WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET TO MORE SECURELY RETAIN THE MODULE.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 33 of them (16%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.