RoadVitals

1995 Geo Metro Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
109
Latest Jan 28, 2009
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
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.
43

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 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

  • Airbags2923.4%
  • Brakes1310.5%
  • Steering75.6%
  • Seat belts75.6%
  • Suspension64.8%
  • Electrical64.8%
  • Visibility43.2%
  • Exterior lighting43.2%
  • Engine43.2%
  • Transmission43.2%
  • Driver assistance32.4%
  • Other / unspecified21.6%
  • Fuel system21.6%
  • Tires & wheels21.6%
  • Heating & air conditioning10.8%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAD 95 GEO METRO, THE DAY I WRECKED IT WAS RAINING. I WAS COMING UPON A CURVE, AND I HIT MY BRAKES. IT HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THEY LOCKED UP, AND THE CAR STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE CAR HAD TURNED ON ITS TOP IN A COVERT. MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN WITH ME, AND NEITHER AIR BAG HAD CAME OUT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL CAME TO REST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS. I LOST THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THE TOP WAS PUSHED IN, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, AND THE FRONT GRILL WAS OFF. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE IS PUSHED TOWARD THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE LAW HAD CAME OUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE FILED A REPORT. HE HAD ASKED IF I WAS GOING TO REPORT IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND I REPLIED NO. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND AS FOR US WE SEEMED ALRIGHT JUST BRUISED AND SORE ALL OVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT IS CLOSE TO IT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10149553 · filed Feb 6, 2006

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID 10040356 · filed Sep 23, 2003
All 29 reports naming airbags

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DASH IN MY 1995 GEO METRO IS DISINTEGRATING IN SMALL PARTICLES THAT BLOW INTO MY FACE WHILE DRIVING AND IS PARTICULARLY AGGRAVATING WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITION ARE ON. I COMPLAINED AS EARLY AS 1998 TO NO AVAIL. I CAN FURNISH PICTURES SHOWING HOW SERIOUS THIS IS. EVERYONE SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. CAN YOU HELP! DATES ARE APPROXIMATE.*JB

NHTSA ID 10008322 · filed Mar 2, 2003

DURING BRAKE REPAIR MECHANIC NOTICED THAT FRAME WAS RUSTING BEHIND FRONT WHEELS.*AK

NHTSA ID 8002976 · filed Jan 28, 2002
All 15 reports naming body & structure

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR DOORS ON MY GEO METRO (1995) WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE! IT STARTED WITH REAR LEFT AND NOW BOTH ARE EFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10256668 · filed Jan 28, 2009

BACK DOORS W/CHILD SECURITY LOCKS FAIL TO UNLOCK ONCE PLACED INTO CHILD PROTECTION MODE. DOORS TAKEN APART AND "REPAIRED" HOWEVER CHEVY DEALER ONLY SPRAYED WD-40 INTO LOCKS. DOORS OPENED ONCE AND HAVE NOT OPENED FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHES.*AK

NHTSA ID 10098121 · filed Nov 1, 2004
All 15 reports naming interior & seats

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAD 95 GEO METRO, THE DAY I WRECKED IT WAS RAINING. I WAS COMING UPON A CURVE, AND I HIT MY BRAKES. IT HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THEY LOCKED UP, AND THE CAR STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE CAR HAD TURNED ON ITS TOP IN A COVERT. MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN WITH ME, AND NEITHER AIR BAG HAD CAME OUT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL CAME TO REST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS. I LOST THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THE TOP WAS PUSHED IN, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, AND THE FRONT GRILL WAS OFF. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE IS PUSHED TOWARD THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE LAW HAD CAME OUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE FILED A REPORT. HE HAD ASKED IF I WAS GOING TO REPORT IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND I REPLIED NO. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND AS FOR US WE SEEMED ALRIGHT JUST BRUISED AND SORE ALL OVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT IS CLOSE TO IT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10149553 · filed Feb 6, 2006

THE BRAKES START TO MAKE A NOISE ALL AROUND THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID 735851 · filed Nov 6, 2000
All 13 reports naming brakes

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING AT SPEED OF 30MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, VEHICLE SWIRLED AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND FLIPPED OVER. *AK

NHTSA ID 980057 · filed Mar 4, 1996

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN STREET SHE LOST CONTROL OF CAR,THE FRONT WHEELS WERE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS ,CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH GEO. TT\

NHTSA ID 974303 · filed Nov 1, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DRIVER RECEIVED WHIP LASH FROM THE DRIVE'S SEAT DUE TO LACK OF NECK SUPPORT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING HER SEA TBELT. *AK

NHTSA ID 814101 · filed Jul 14, 1997

SEATBELTS DESIGNED FOR TALL PEOPLE ONLY. SEATBELT GOES ACROSS NECK AND RIGHT BREAST OF DRIVER AND LEFT BREAST OF PASSENGER. *AK

NHTSA ID 515328 · filed Mar 21, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, ALL STEERING WAS LOST. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT AXLE HAD DISCONNECTED FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRANSMISSION. *AK THIS WAS DUE TO LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID 8002407 · filed Jan 17, 2002

CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO FIRESTONE FOR AN ALIGNMENT THEN CALLED GEO ,THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE ALIGNMEMT GEO DID NOT HELP HER. TT

NHTSA ID 975279 · filed Nov 21, 1995

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHERE WIRING HARNESS FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH PLUGS INTO FUSE BOX BURNT CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS HAD NUMBER OF THESE AT A COST OF $550 TO REPAIR. I SAY IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY NEED TO RECALL THEM. HEADLIGHT FAILURE AT ANY SPEED I FEEL IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID 742191 · filed Mar 9, 2001

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. WIRING HARNESS FOR HEADLIGHTS PLUGGED IN THE HEAD DUE TO PIN CONNECTORS BEING TOO SMALL TO HANDLE THE CONNECTION AND STARTED BURNING. COMBINATION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID 867614 · filed Aug 11, 2000

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO METRO WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 108000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HAD PITTING IN WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO HAVE A GLARE AND VISIBILITY PROBLEMS WHEN THE SUN SHINEDE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW HOW THE WINDSHIELD BECAME PITTED.*AK

NHTSA ID 10182803 · filed Feb 16, 2007

ALL FOUR DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM BOTH SIDES, INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY ON TRACK. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK DUE TO A SHORT IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA ID 898509 · filed Oct 30, 2001

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON TURNSIGNAL ARM GOES OFF CAUSING LIGHTS TO GO OUT. BAD SWICTH AND BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH CAUSE BLACKOUT WHILE DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ID 756381 · filed Jan 3, 2002

ALL FOUR DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM BOTH SIDES, INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY ON TRACK. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK DUE TO A SHORT IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA ID 898509 · filed Oct 30, 2001

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CATALYTIC COVERTER RUSTED IN TWO PLACES. BELIEVED THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID 854396 · filed Dec 23, 1999

CONSUMER WAS STARTING UP THE VEHICLE WHEN HE SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD . CONSUMER LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE, WHERE THERE WAS A CRACK IN MANIFOLD, AND FUMES WAS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THERE IS'NT ANYTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ID 829108 · filed Oct 19, 1998

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

KELLY TIRE BLEW OUT. (SIZE P1558R13)

NHTSA ID 516593 · filed Apr 18, 1997

PUT THE CAR IN PARK DRIVER GOT OUT OF CAR, GEARS JUMPED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID 985753 · filed Jun 18, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL, GAS PEDAL IS ALSO DEPRESSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OPERATE AT FULL THROTTLE. DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW. *AK

NHTSA ID 822116 · filed Mar 25, 1998

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. *AW

NHTSA ID 600402 · filed Jan 11, 1996

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEELS AND LUG NUTS ARE RUSTING. (QC-AW)

NHTSA ID 538544 · filed Jul 29, 1998

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 25 MPH OR 30 MPH REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FELL OFF AXLE. TT

NHTSA ID 966307 · filed Jun 5, 1995

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL REGULATOR PRESSURE WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. TOOK TO DLR 4 TIMES. CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 820336 · filed Jan 7, 1998

GAS TANK FILLER NECK FAILED. *DSH

NHTSA ID 501766 · filed Feb 17, 1996

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

KELLY TIRE BLEW OUT. (SIZE P1558R13)

NHTSA ID 516593 · filed Apr 18, 1997

OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH SHE HEARD A NOISE AND VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL. SHE NOTES THAT VEHICLE WAS THROWN ACROSS THE INTERSTATE AND SHE WAS HURT. OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT THE REAR RIGHT TIRE HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH BRAND NEW TIRES AND SHE STILL HAD TIRE PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID 810847 · filed Apr 9, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE A/C SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING FREON TO LEAK WHICH MAY CAUSE OVERHEATING AND A FIRE IF THE FREON WOULD SPILL UNTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID 836679 · filed May 3, 1999

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

Data on this page last refreshed .