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1991 Ford Probe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Probe.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1991 Ford Probe is a passenger car that requires 4.9 qt of 5W‑30 API engine oil. It garnered 190 owner complaints, with seat belts the leading issue, and was involved in four recalls. Compared with the rest of the 1990‑1999 Probe lineage—where 1990 saw a peak of 355 complaints and 1999 a low of just one—the 1991 model sits mid‑range, reflecting the gradual improvement in reliability that characterized the vehicle’s later years.

Model year1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat

RT1054

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	177.2 in
Overall width	67.7 in
Overall height	52 in
Wheelbase	99.2 in
Curb weight	2738 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Probe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 1989 GT Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1992	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	7.20 sec	15.60 sec	145 hp	FWD
1989	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	6.70 sec	15.20 sec	145 hp	FWD
1989	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	7.00 sec	15.30 sec	145 hp	FWD
1989	GT Coupe 2.2L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	145 hp	FWD
1993	GT Coupe 2.5L V6	7.00 sec	15.50 sec	164 hp	FWD
1993	GT Coupe 2.5L V6	7.10 sec	15.60 sec	164 hp	FWD
1994	GT Coupe 2.5L V6	7.50 sec	15.80 sec	164 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 mi	Body Fasteners (torque) · Frame Fasteners (torque)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Ford Probe recorded 190 federal complaints, a sharp decline from the 355 complaints reported in 1990 but still above the 98 complaints seen in 1992. Recalls remained steady at four per model year through 1994, with only a modest reduction to three in 1992, indicating consistent safety interventions across the generation. The complaint trajectory peaked in 1990, dipped to a low in 1991, then rose again, placing 1991 at the trough of the complaint arc. The 1991 model’s top complaint areas were seat‑belt issues (144 reports) and visibility problems (12 reports), while crash‑related complaints numbered three and fire‑related complaints six. Given the lower complaint volume relative to surrounding years but the presence of fire complaints, the 1991 Probe is a reasonable purchase for a used‑car buyer.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

190

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’99

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 190 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts144

Visibility12

Electrical System6

Power Train6

Engine & Engine Cooling6

Vehicle Speed Control3

Suspension3

Tires2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

91V016000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 01/01/1991

BRACKETS MOUNTING AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AN UNDERSTRENGTH SPOT WELD. Remedy: INSTALL TWO BOLTS IN THE BRACKETS TO PREVENT SHOULDER BELT FAILURE.

96V172002Seat Belts:Front:WebbingReported 06/09/1996

NOTE: PASSENGER SIDE (RIGHT) SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DRIVER SIDE AND INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK ASSEMBLIES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 36 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
16714	2003-03-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	FOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
01157	2001-08-06	Unknown Or Other	INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
01124	2001-06-25	Engine And Engine Cooling	ON SOME VEHICLES, ENGINE OIL MAY CONTINUE TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AREA…
0015	2000-01-10	Power Train	INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
13714	2000-01-01	Seat Belts	INFORMATION REGARDING THE RECALL 96S48 & 96S99 (MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RAIL AND MOTOR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Probe. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Thermostat RT1054

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Probe take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Probe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.