RoadVitals

1999 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.
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Latest Jul 2, 2008
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 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

  • Engine412.1%
  • Airbags412.1%
  • Visibility39.1%
  • Interior & seats39.1%
  • Powertrain (other)39.1%
  • Suspension39.1%
  • Transmission39.1%
  • Tires & wheels26.1%
  • Brakes26.1%
  • Fuel system26.1%
  • Driver assistance13.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning13.0%
  • Seat belts13.0%
  • Body & structure13.0%

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

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 1, 2004

I BELIEVE CRACKED HEAD ENGINE GASKET HAPPENED LONG AGO AND SIGNS ONLY SHOWED 5/16/2000. *AK

NHTSA ID 722786 · filed May 16, 2000

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 18, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID 875303 · filed Nov 21, 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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM EXPERIENCES NOISE AND VIBRATION/PULLING, ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH UNEVEN WEAR OF THE TIRES, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER NO PROBLEM FOUND, DEFECTIVE STRUT AND MOUNT REPLACED ON TWO OCCASION HOWEVER DID NOT RECTIFY PROBLEMS. *MJS

NHTSA ID 550356 · filed Jan 11, 2000

THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW WAS REPORTED YESTERDAY 11/12/1999. I FORGOT TO ADD THAT IT MAY NOT CAUSE SAFETY PROBLEMS NOW BUT MONTHS DOWN THE LINE AND DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURES, THE SEEPAGE OF THE SEALANT CAN CAUSE THE SEAL AROUND THE WINDOW TO BE INEFFECTIVE AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE WATER TO ENTER THROUGH THE CABIN AREA. WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT COULD CAUSE SHORTAGE AND RISK TO MAJOR COMPONENTS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES ARE THAT THEY SHOWED PRE-MATURE UNEVEN WEARING ON THE OUTER TREADS OF ALL TIRES AT APPROXIMATELY 1,500 MILES. THIS WEARING CAN BE HAZARDOUS DURING WET DRIVING CONDITIONS AS THE GRIP OF THE TIRES TO ADHERED TO THE ROAD CAN BE LIMITED. I REPORTED 3 TIRES/FAILURES BECAUSE I HAD TO REPLACE ONE ORIGINAL BECAUSE OF A FLAT THAT WAS UNREPAIRABLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: 284 TIRE SIZE: P15580R13 )

NHTSA ID 714723 · filed Nov 13, 1999

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 30, 2003

VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM EXPERIENCES NOISE AND VIBRATION/PULLING, ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH UNEVEN WEAR OF THE TIRES, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER NO PROBLEM FOUND, DEFECTIVE STRUT AND MOUNT REPLACED ON TWO OCCASION HOWEVER DID NOT RECTIFY PROBLEMS. *MJS

NHTSA ID 550356 · filed Jan 11, 2000

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 2, 2008

VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM EXPERIENCES NOISE AND VIBRATION/PULLING, ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH UNEVEN WEAR OF THE TIRES, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER NO PROBLEM FOUND, DEFECTIVE STRUT AND MOUNT REPLACED ON TWO OCCASION HOWEVER DID NOT RECTIFY PROBLEMS. *MJS

NHTSA ID 550356 · filed Jan 11, 2000

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 2, 2008

VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM EXPERIENCES NOISE AND VIBRATION/PULLING, ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH UNEVEN WEAR OF THE TIRES, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER NO PROBLEM FOUND, DEFECTIVE STRUT AND MOUNT REPLACED ON TWO OCCASION HOWEVER DID NOT RECTIFY PROBLEMS. *MJS

NHTSA ID 550356 · filed Jan 11, 2000

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 17, 2003

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

NHTSA ID 8015400 · filed Aug 2, 2002

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

ORIGINAL TIRES FAIL PREMATURELY/FLAT, PREMATURE WEAR SHOWED AT 1,500 MILES. YH

NHTSA ID 551132 · filed Feb 28, 2000

THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW WAS REPORTED YESTERDAY 11/12/1999. I FORGOT TO ADD THAT IT MAY NOT CAUSE SAFETY PROBLEMS NOW BUT MONTHS DOWN THE LINE AND DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURES, THE SEEPAGE OF THE SEALANT CAN CAUSE THE SEAL AROUND THE WINDOW TO BE INEFFECTIVE AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE WATER TO ENTER THROUGH THE CABIN AREA. WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT COULD CAUSE SHORTAGE AND RISK TO MAJOR COMPONENTS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES ARE THAT THEY SHOWED PRE-MATURE UNEVEN WEARING ON THE OUTER TREADS OF ALL TIRES AT APPROXIMATELY 1,500 MILES. THIS WEARING CAN BE HAZARDOUS DURING WET DRIVING CONDITIONS AS THE GRIP OF THE TIRES TO ADHERED TO THE ROAD CAN BE LIMITED. I REPORTED 3 TIRES/FAILURES BECAUSE I HAD TO REPLACE ONE ORIGINAL BECAUSE OF A FLAT THAT WAS UNREPAIRABLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: 284 TIRE SIZE: P15580R13 )

NHTSA ID 714723 · filed Nov 13, 1999

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 6, 2002

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PADS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 866436 · filed Jul 31, 2000

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

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THERE IS STRONG FUEL SMELL WHICH CAUSES OCCUPANTS TO FEEL SICK. *AK THE SMELL COMES THROUGH THE VENTS. GM SAID IT IS NORMAL ALL 98,99 AND 2000'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *YH

NHTSA ID 877624 · filed Jan 8, 2001

THE FUEL HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK, AND MAY HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IF THERE WAS A SOURCE OF IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

NHTSA ID 841293 · filed Jun 28, 1999

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE AT SLOW SPEED, IDLING WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR DRIVING DOWN A HILL. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK ALSO THERE WAS A GRENDING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNS RIGHT. *YH

NHTSA ID 848244 · filed Sep 21, 1999

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

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 · filed Jul 17, 2003

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 26, 2003

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CAR WAS PARKED. I OPENED THE DOOR AND THE WIND TOOK IT OPENING IT PAST IT'S DESIGNED MAXIMUN. I WAS ABLE TO RECLOSE THE DOOR WITH ONE HAND, SO THE WIND WAS NOT THAT STRONG. I FEEL THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED WAS EXCESSIVE FOR A SAFELY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLE. THE PARTS THAT WERE DESIGNED TO GIVE WAY AND ARE REPLACEABLE DID NOT GET DAMAGED. THE DAMAGE OCCURED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE REPLACEABLE AND THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE MUST BE FABRICATED. UPON VIEWING THE DAMAGE IT IS EVIDENT THAT THERE IS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST FACTORY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. AT 18,000 MILES A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE ENGINE DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A DEFECTIVE BLOCK, SO THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. QUITE HONESTLY I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IF A LITTLE WIND COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MUCH DAMAGE, WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF SURVIVING A EVEN A MINOR IMPACT FROM THE SIDE IN THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE BODY SHOP AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT CHEVROLET BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE DID NOT SEEM CONSISTENT WITH THE NATURE OF THE INCIDENT AND THE DESIGNED INTEGRITY OF A ROAD WORTHY VEHICLE! THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE DEALER LOT AT RYDELL CHEVROLET AT 18600 DEVONSHIRE ST. IN NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324 PHONE# (818) 832-1695 [XXX] IS MY CONTACT. I WOULD APPECIATE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION TO COME OUT, VIEW THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURED AND MAKE AN UNBIASED DETERMINATION OF WHETHER THIS SITUATION WAS A RESULT OF ANOTHER FACTORY DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE OR NOT. A MANUFACTURES REP FROM CHEVROLET SUPPOSEDLY EVALUATED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT A DEFECT, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN PRESENTED WITH ANY DOCUMENTATION TO THAT EFFECT AND HAVE TO ASSUME THAT HIS OPINION IS A BIASED ONE. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMAT

NHTSA ID 742877 · filed Mar 22, 2001

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 .