1998 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 1998 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
- Brakes616.7%
- Visibility616.7%
- Engine616.7%
- Transmission38.3%
- Body & structure38.3%
- Driver assistance38.3%
- Airbags25.6%
- Exterior lighting12.8%
- Powertrain (other)12.8%
- Seat belts12.8%
- Steering12.8%
- Tires & wheels12.8%
- Interior & seats12.8%
- Heating & air conditioning12.8%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRAKES ON MY METRO HAS BEEN FIXED 5 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. 5 TIMES IN 5 YEARS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
THE HEATER EMITTED A SMELL WHEN IT WAS ON.*JB
INTERIOR FAN WILL NOT WORK DUE TO HEATER A/C CONTROL FAILURE. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DEFOGGING SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK, AND SINCE METRO HATCHBACKS ARE EXTREMELY PRONE TO FOGGING, THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE MORNINGS OR EVENINGS. ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS DOES NOT HELP THIS PROBLEM. WE ALSO OWN A 1992 METRO WHICH HAD THE SAME COMPONENT FAIL (SEE SEPARATE REPORT).
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
THIS PROBLEM EXISTS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR WITH VARIOUS DRIVE TIMES, STOPPING AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO SIT FOR APPROX 25-30 MINS THEN TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN IT STALLS OUT AND DIES IN 2-7 OF DRIVING. IN MOST CASE THE CAR HAS DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND ON THE FREEWAY. IT USUALLY TAKE 1-2 MINUTES TO RESTART IT BEFORE IT WILL RUN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER '03 AND ON THE LAST TRIP TO THE DEALER, THEY NOW ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING IT. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN THERE FOR TWO WEEKS, AND THEY STILL HAVE IT. THEY REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR, BUT IT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IF MY CAR WERE TO STALL AND DIE IN TRAFFIC. *AK
ENGINE STALLS WHEN CHANGING GEARS DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. NLM
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
THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING AND CHATTERING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
CAR WAS PARKED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAR WENT BACKWARDS AND HIT OTHER VEHICLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR UNDER WARRANTY 12,000 MI. WATER IN BOTH DOORS GROWING MOLD AND IN AIR VENTS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING WOULD HEAR A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR STRUCTURE OF VEHICLE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC HAD DUPLICATED THE NOISE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 15-18 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE HIT A STREET POLE. THE CONSUMER/PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK *SC *JB
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL MOTOR AND SPEED WILL INCREASE . IT HAS EVEN INCREASED ON ITS OWN. DEALER HAS REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT DEFECT FOR OVER A YEAR. *AK NOW THERE IS SPNTANEOUS INCREASE AND DECREASE IN SPEED CONTINUOUSLY FOR 7-8 MILES. *YH
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
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT, FORCED INTO INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON AT SPEED OF 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE IN THE RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP, AND CONSUMER REAR ENDED SOMEONE. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. *AK
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
THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT AIM CORRECTLY. AFTER A FEW FRUSTRATING ATTEMPTS TO ADJUST MY HEADLIGHTS I REALIZED THEY ENTIRE ASSEMBLY RAISES UP AT HIGH SPEEDS AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY MANIPULATED (KICKED) BACK IN TO PLACE WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL THE NEXT TRIP WHICH REQUIRES SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS SECURED BY A SCREW AND A HARD PLASTIC NIPPLE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH IS WEDGED INTO A RUBBER GROMMET MOUNTED ON THE CHASSIS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS RUBBER GROMMET STRETCHES, HARDENS OR DRY ROTS OVER TIME WEAKENING ITS EFFECTIVENESS. DURING MY 45 MINUTE DRIVE EACH MORNING PASS ANOTHER CHEVROLET METRO WITH ITS RIGHT HEADLIGHT POINTING HIGH AND TO THE RIGHT AS IT PASSES ME WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT MINE DOES. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE NOTICED THAT EVERY METRO I SEE HAS HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS WHICH ARE TO THE EXTREME. *JB
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
TRANSMISSION WOULD REQUIRE EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL WAS WORSE WHEN HOT. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION FROM THE COMPUTER TO THE TRANSMISSION.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR AND SIDE COLLISION I WAS THROWN FROM DRIVERS SEAT TO REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE WEARING MY SEAT BELT. MY SEAT BELT TWISTED AND ALLOWED MY BODY TO BE EJECTED TO THE INTERIOR REAR OF MY CAR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE'S STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND EXCESSIVE EFFORT REQUIRED. *MJS
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
THE GOODYEAR INVICTA GL 155-80-13 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE ON ONE, TIRE HAD A FIST SIZED BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL, INSPECTION SHOWED REMAINING TIRES WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO DEFECT TIRES. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT, FORCED INTO INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON AT SPEED OF 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE IN THE RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *SLC
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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 .