RoadVitals

1991 Geo Metro

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
50
Latest Jul 12, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
12 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 50 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Geo Metro, most frequently naming the interior & seats, seat belts and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103007

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
466,902 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
93V189001

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Nov 23, 1993
356,097 units potentially affected
The defect: MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
The risk: AN IMPROPERLY ENGAGED HOOD LATCH MAY RESULT IN A HOODFLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEWAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: GM DEALERS WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95014ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE

Opened Apr 25, 1995
Closed Jul 28, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103007
PE94092ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL

Opened Dec 21, 1994
Closed Apr 25, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
EA93006ClosedEngineering Analysis

HOOD FLY-UPS

Opened Feb 26, 1993
Closed Nov 26, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 93V189000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 50
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 12, 2004

WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081701
Incident
Jun 25, 2004
Mileage
71,800 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 22, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR COLLISION WHERE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS BECAME UN-BUCKLED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER BEING EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND KILLED. RELATED RECALL 95V103007, MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10020385
Incident
May 5, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Oct 28, 2002

CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS IN MOTION WHEN THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND, FOLLOWED BY LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALL BRAKING AND STEERING POWER WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UNISTRUT FRAME ON THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN. CHEVROLET DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS ENVIRONMENTAL AND NO REIMBURSEMENT OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WILL BE INCURRED. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES PAID. *JG

NHTSA ID
567807
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2001

GUARDS THAT COVER FUEL LINES UNDERNEATH VEHICLE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
885396
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Apr 9, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT HAD A FLAT, VEERING TO RIGHT. ALSO GRINDING NOISE. WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS TORN AND RUBBED ON WHEEL WELL FRAME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRAME WHERE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES FAILED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. *SLC

NHTSA ID
885377
Incident
Apr 6, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 30, 2001

RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND SHOWED A RECALL ON THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY UNIT! MY HOOD FLUNG OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTERSTATE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO HIT THE MAIN WINSHIELD AND CRACK! LUCKILY THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF DID NOT IMPLODE AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH TO ME! AND LUCKILY THE INTERSTATE WAS NOT BUSY, TO HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT! I DID VIEWED MY VEHICLE. THE LATCH ITSELF IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY! ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, GM DEALER WILL REPLACE THE "BOLTS" TO PREVENT THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS THE WITHIN THE HOOD LATCH "ASSEMBLY" UNIT, THE LATCH ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE. IT DOES NOT "CATCH" ONTO THE "PRIMARY" LOCK OF THE HOOD LATCH. I BELIEVE IT IS ACTUALLY THE ENTIRE "HOOD LATCH" UNIT THAT NEEDS RECALL/REPLACEMENT. I AM GETTING THE IMPRESSION, CHEVROLET IS NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT, STATING THAT PERHAPS IT WAS DUE TO A RECENT OIL CHANGE THAT THE HOOD WAS NOT PROPERLY SHUT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR CLOSE TO 10 YEARS AND HAVE CHANGED THE OIL MYSELF AND OTHERS, MANY TIMES. I KNOW THAT CAR INSIDE AND OUT, AND INFACT TOOK THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE HOOD FLYING OPEN (1/24/01). I BELIEVE THE DEFECT IS IN THE HOOD LATCH ITSELF, BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY UNIT!*AK

NHTSA ID
740144
Incident
Jan 25, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Aug 3, 2000
Crash reported

DRIVER'S SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONED. IN A CRASH DRIVER WAS SEATBELTED, BUT SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, DEALER HAD FIXED THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT FOR THE RETRACTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
866701
Incident
May 5, 2000
Airbags
Filed Dec 22, 1999

VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE . SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED AT THE TIME. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
854331
Incident
Dec 17, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

MSG01145

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

UNKNOWN

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Geo Metro by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001600—
2000190040.4
1999230039.1
1998330039.2
1997631049.3
1996880048.8
19951091054.7
1994680042.3
1993501046.7
1992541149.3
1991Viewing502361.2
1990392460.6
1989272562.3
1988001—
1987001—
1986001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.