RoadVitals

1999 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.
23
Latest Jul 2, 2008
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.
0
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.
0
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.
4
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Geo Metro, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and visibility categories. 10 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

  • Engine412.1%
  • Airbags412.1%
  • Visibility39.1%
  • Interior & seats39.1%
  • Powertrain (other)39.1%
  • Suspension39.1%
  • Transmission39.1%
  • Tires & wheels26.1%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 2, 2008

1999 GEO METRO CONSUMER QUESTION ABOUT CAR REPAIR MONEY. CONSUMER WOULD TO KNOW ABOUT A GRANT FOR $200 DOLLARS FOR A CAR REPAIR SINCE HE CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY IT FOR SURE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CV JOINT AND REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10233889
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED BECAUSE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM SNAPPED AT THE MANIFOLD. ALSO, WHEN STARTING VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE UNTIL IT WARMED UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061027
Mileage
28,600 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 30, 2003

WINDOW GASKETS OR DOOR WATER SEALS ARE FAILING ON ALL 4 DOORS. BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCKS ARE FROZEN; BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES ARE BEGINNING TO FREEZE; REAR DRIVER DOOR LOCK AND DOOR HANDLE IS BEGINNING TO FREEZE; REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK IS BEGINNING TO FREEZE. FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEEN FROZEN TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN DOOR WAS DISMANTLED EXTENSIVE RUST WAS FOUND ON ALL COMPONENTS. NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO ANY DOORS TO MY KNOWLEDGE OTHERWISE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BECOMING ENTRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE LIVED IN THE NORTHEAST FOR MOST OF MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT REPAIR, AND I HAVE FOUND NO REASON FOR THE INTERIOR DOOR RUST OTHER THAN FAILED GASKETS OR SEALS. PLEASE NOTE THIS VEHICLE IS A CHEVROLET, BUT "METRO" IS NOT LISTED AS A CHEVROLET OPTION ON THIS SITE.

NHTSA ID
10030396
Incident
Jul 23, 2003
Mileage
84,391 mi
Heating & air conditioningTransmission
Filed Jul 17, 2003

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AND AIR CONDITIONER.*MR *TS. THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED, THE SWITCH THAT WENT FROM LOW SPEED TO HIGH SPEED CONTAINED FREE PLAY AND ONLY WORKED ON HIGH SPEED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE COMPRESSOR FAILED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10029627
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
69,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 26, 2003

THE PASSENGER FRONT AND BACK SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT AFTER THE BUCKLE WAS RELEASED, THE BELTS HUNG LOOSE ALONG SIDE. (LOCK MECHANISM BROKE) DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10002403
Incident
Dec 20, 2002
Transmission
Filed Aug 2, 2002

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING AT HIGH SPEED BUT NOT AT LOW SPEED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8015400
Airbags
Filed Jul 18, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

HEAD-ON IMPACT- AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY-POLICE AT SCENE NOTED THE BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED - THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE IMPACT. *AK

NHTSA ID
764379
Incident
Apr 17, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2002

BOUGHT CAR IN 5/2001 IN 9/2001 PROBLEM WITH FRONT ROTORS HAD THEM GROUND DOWN IN 9 & 10 OF 2001 STILL HAVING HIGH SPEED SHUDDERING PROBLEM IN APRIL OF 2002 WENT BACK AND HAD ROTORS REPLACED IN MAY OF 2002 DEALER SHIP TELLS ME IT IS THE DRUMS NOW THAT ARE THE PROBLEM???? STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH CAR SINCE SEPT OF 2001. *AK

NHTSA ID
763881

Manufacturer communications

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

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

16NA260

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.

Recalls

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

99-08-51-007F

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; WHEELS

Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Evaluating Damage In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The Dealer must record the wheel ID stamp or the cast date on the wheel in order to assure this requirement. Refer to Refinisher's Responsibility — Outside Company later in this bulletin.

99-08-51-007F

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; WHEELS

Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Evaluating Damage In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The Dealer must record the wheel ID stamp or the cast date on the wheel in order to assure this requirement. Refer to Refinisher's Responsibility — Outside Company later in this bulletin.

PI0281D

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components are showing some form of corrosion. This corrosion may be red in appearance (rust) if the component is steel, forged iron or cast iron. This corrosion may also be grey or white in color if the component is constructed of an aluminum alloy.

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
1999Viewing230039.1
1998330039.2
1997631049.3
1996880048.8
19951091054.7
1994680042.3
1993501046.7
1992541149.3
1991502361.2
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.