Most common 1997 Ford Probe problems
Share of the 27 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Probe complaints by model year
Best Probe years: 1997. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
1997 Ford Probe recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.
What 1997 Ford Probe owners say
Engine & cooling
Vehicle was driven less than 2 miles and caught on fire in the engine compartment. The vehicle was totalled. Recall NHTSA 98v-206/ manufacturer's recall 98s30. Dealer inspected timing belt tensioner, and stated that it was OK.
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. Also, the engine / transmission power loss, vibrations, and intermittent hesitations have increased since my ownership of the vehicle. I am interested to see if other consumers have experienced similar problems and how these problems have been rectified. …
Electrical 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.
I have had to replace the distrubutor which caused it turn over, but not start, and clutch with in one month. Also my check engine light keeps coming on an dthey can't figure out why, and my cruise control does not work.
Air bags
While driving on highway traveling 50mph, vehicle in front stopped suddenly to avoid hitting the car in front of it. There was a five car pileup. Consumer hit vehicle in front, and neither airbag deployed. Also, seat belt didn't lock up.
While driving about 2 MPH consumer's vehicle was hit by another vehicle going about 45 MPH, impact was on the driver side near front of vehicle. Neither airbag deployed. Consumer hit her head on windshield.
1997 Ford Probe engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Probe a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Probe rates better than average: 56% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Probe at the same age. It is one of the best Probe years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford Probe?
The engine & cooling — 13 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the electrical system (4) and air bags (4).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Probe have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Ford Probe, the most recent from November 3, 1998 (engine). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Probe?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Ford Probe years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Probe problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.