Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 20 | 16% |
| Steering | 13 | 11% |
| Structure | 12 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 9% |
| Air bags | 8 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 4% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I HAVE 3 OF THESE TIRES EACH LEAKS AIR AROUND CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SIDEWALL, AROUND WHERE THE TREAD PORTION MATES WITH IT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD PROBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL PERTAINING TO LIGHTIN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INVOLVING: THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER, INTERIOR LIGHTS, ETC. AS FAR AS SHE KNOWS THE BRAKE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE WORKING. THE FUSES HAVE BEE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, TRANNY BEGAN SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2-->3 AND THEN ALSO FROM 3-->4. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE NOW TOTALLY LOST 4TH GEAR.*AK THIS IS THE 2ND
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 F
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 H
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I PURCHASED 4 BRAND NEW TIRES FOR MY FORD WINDSTAR VAN BACK AT THE END OF JULY 2004. I HAD ONE REAR TIRE TOTALLY SEPARATE FROM THE RIM AND SHRED. I WAS CHARGED MY ROAD HAZARD FEE TO REPLACE THE TIRE. AGAIN THIS PAST SUND
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AN INFLATOR BODY THAT CRACKED DURING FORMING OF THE CURL THAT RETAINS THE IGNITER PLUG IN THE END OF THE INFLATOR. ALSO THE IGNITER END CAP CAN SEPARATE FROM THE INFLATOR.
Risk: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. IF THE IGNITER END CAP SEPARATES IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, HOT GASES CAN BE RELEASED A
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | 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 122 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 20 of them (16%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. 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.