1992 Geo Metro Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Geo Metro, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Interior & seats1115.5%
- Seat belts1014.1%
- Suspension912.7%
- Body & structure79.9%
- Brakes57.0%
- Visibility57.0%
- Airbags45.6%
- Electrical45.6%
- Transmission45.6%
- Powertrain (other)34.2%
- Other / unspecified34.2%
- Exterior lighting22.8%
- Fuel system22.8%
- Tires & wheels11.4%
- Engine11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
HOOD ASSEMBLY REPAIRED AS PER RECALL, BUT BOLTS HAVE DETACHED FROM HOOD AND LATCH IS NOT SECURE, HAVE BUNGI-CORRODED HOOD TO CAR FRAME, BUT CONTINUE TO NOT DRIVE CARE OVER 30MPH. *AK
I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON AN EXPRESSWAY, IN THE FAST LANE, WHEN THE HOOD LATCH BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO POP UP AND COMPLETELY BLOCK MY VISION OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE HOOD LATCH. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO AVOID A COLLISION AND TO GRADUALLY WORK THE CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE HOOD IS NOW TEMPORARILY TIED DOWN WITH ROPE AND A RUBBER STRAP. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, HAVING PURCHASED IT FROM A FRIEND WHO BOUGHT IT NEW. HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY OTHER REPORTS OF HOOD LATCH DEFECTS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL?*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT HAS A GUARD THAT PINCHES THE BOTH SIDES OF THE CHILD'S LEGS. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE HARNESS WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED EITHER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
THE DRIVERS SEATBELT IN COLD WEATHER WILL NOT SNAP COMPLETELY INTO PLACE AND THEREFORE KEEPS DISENGAGING. CHEVY REPAIR SHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY. THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE SEATBELT HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETELY ENGAGED UNTIL YOU GO AROUND A CORNER, USE THE BRAKES OR MOVE EXCESSIVELY AND THE BELT POPS OUT. THE PROBLEM IS, THE SEATBELT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF MALFUNCTIONS IN AN ACCIDENT. SEATBELT LIGHT GOES OFF SO YOU BELIEVE THE BELT IS IN CORRECTLY. YOU PULL AND IT DOES'NT COME OUT SO YOU BELIEVE IT IS IN CORRECTLY.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SUPPORT RUSTED AND COULD POSSIBLY BREAK AND RELEASE THE CONTROL ARM. A LOCAL BODY SHOP SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE CONTROL ARM SUPPORT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE CONTROL ARM HOOKS RUSTED. AS A RESULT, STEERING WAS INOPERABLE. *AK *JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONTIINUOUS PROBLEM/ ASKED DEALER ABOUT IT AND HE ACTED DUMB ABOUT IT . CAN'T EVEN FIND UNBROKEN ONES AT JUNK YARD..... AND NOBODY HAS QUESTIONED THIS ,HMMMMM. NO SAFETY DEFECT INCLUDED. *AK
HOOD LATCH SEPARATED FROM BODY (STILL LATCHED); SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN, SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD AND MANGLED THE HOOD. I NOTICE, NOW, THAT THE CAR WAS RECALLED 6 YEARS AGO FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED BY MAIL OR THE MANY TIMES THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY DEALERS SINCE THE RECALL???? THIS EVENT OCCURED AT 2:30 PM ON A BUSY SO. CALIFORNIA FWY - IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I AND SEVERAL OTHER CARLOADS OF PEOPLE WEREN'T KILLED AS I BLINDLY DEACCELERATED FROM 70MPH ONTO THE MEDIAN. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE UNDER THE UPRAISED HOOD. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCASION THAT THE BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY; APPROX 3 YRS AGO IT DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING A 20MPH FRONT-END COLLISION WITH 4000.00 DAMAGE (REPAIRED BY DEALER IN YORBA LINDA, CA). I WOULD THINK THAT DURING THE 4000.00 REPAIR OF THE FRONT END, THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THE RECALLED PART!!! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO CREST IN SAN BERNARDINO MANY TIMES; TWICE STAND OUT - ONCE TO FIX THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (JUST INSIDE WARRANTY) AND ANOTHER TO FIX THE CHIP THEY INSERTED INTO THE ALARM SYSTEM TO DISABLE IT WHEN I TOLD THE INITIAL DEALER I DIDN'T WANT TO PURCHASE IT (OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY; ONLY DEALER CAN REPAIR; CHARGED ME $30.00). SHOULDN'T I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL; SHOULDN'T THE DEALERS CHECK CARS THEY SERVICE FOR RECALL COMPLIANCE? I THINK SO; I WILL ASSERT THAT POSITION TO THE FOLKS AT CREST TOMORROW ALONG WITH THE STANCE THAT THEY FIX THE HOOD, LATCH AND WINDSHIELD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS PREMATURELY WEAR AND RUST, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A COLLISION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. ALSO, REAR HATCHBACK DOOR WAS NOT ABLE TO STAY OPEN. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH WIPER CONTROL SWITCH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
HOOD LATCH SEPARATED FROM BODY (STILL LATCHED); SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN, SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD AND MANGLED THE HOOD. I NOTICE, NOW, THAT THE CAR WAS RECALLED 6 YEARS AGO FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED BY MAIL OR THE MANY TIMES THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY DEALERS SINCE THE RECALL???? THIS EVENT OCCURED AT 2:30 PM ON A BUSY SO. CALIFORNIA FWY - IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I AND SEVERAL OTHER CARLOADS OF PEOPLE WEREN'T KILLED AS I BLINDLY DEACCELERATED FROM 70MPH ONTO THE MEDIAN. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SEE UNDER THE UPRAISED HOOD. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCASION THAT THE BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY; APPROX 3 YRS AGO IT DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING A 20MPH FRONT-END COLLISION WITH 4000.00 DAMAGE (REPAIRED BY DEALER IN YORBA LINDA, CA). I WOULD THINK THAT DURING THE 4000.00 REPAIR OF THE FRONT END, THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THE RECALLED PART!!! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO CREST IN SAN BERNARDINO MANY TIMES; TWICE STAND OUT - ONCE TO FIX THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (JUST INSIDE WARRANTY) AND ANOTHER TO FIX THE CHIP THEY INSERTED INTO THE ALARM SYSTEM TO DISABLE IT WHEN I TOLD THE INITIAL DEALER I DIDN'T WANT TO PURCHASE IT (OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY; ONLY DEALER CAN REPAIR; CHARGED ME $30.00). SHOULDN'T I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL; SHOULDN'T THE DEALERS CHECK CARS THEY SERVICE FOR RECALL COMPLIANCE? I THINK SO; I WILL ASSERT THAT POSITION TO THE FOLKS AT CREST TOMORROW ALONG WITH THE STANCE THAT THEY FIX THE HOOD, LATCH AND WINDSHIELD.
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING AN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD A BLOWN TIRE THAT RIPPED OUT THE LINER AND GRABBED THE WIRE HARNESS. CAR COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. CAR IS BEING TOTALLED BECAUSE OF COST TO REPAIR. I WISH THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THE LOCATION OF THE WIRE HARNESS PUTS LIVES IN DANGER. WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.
WHEN RAINING THE HORN DOESN'T WORK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN SHIFTING GEAR FROM FIRST TO SECOND TRANSMISSION WILL LOCK UP IN FIRST. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN STOPPING AND THEN STARTING TO PROCEED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AT APPROX. 5MPH, THE BOLT WHICH HELD BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSED AXEL TO DETACH, TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND RIGHT FRONT FELL OFF, HITTING RIGHT FRONT FENDER*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AT APPROX. 5MPH, THE BOLT WHICH HELD BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSED AXEL TO DETACH, TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND RIGHT FRONT FELL OFF, HITTING RIGHT FRONT FENDER*AK
TIRES CUPPING DUE TO BAD STRUTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRES CUPPING DUE TO BAD STRUTS.
WHEEL LUG NUTS BREAK DUE TO THEIR SIZE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHT SWITCH BROKE, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT TURN LIGHT SWITCH ON THE KNOB BROKE OFF . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK AND WAS AT WORK...THE TANK LEAKED ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT AND I LOST 1/2 A TANK OF GAS...THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD...MY GRANDSON COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR WHEN A FIRE COULD START...I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK OR I WILL LOSE MY JOB....IT IS UND=SAFE TO DRIVE THIS WAY. *AK
THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING GAS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOW BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
PISTON WAS DESTROYED IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .