RoadVitals

1991 Geo Prizm

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.
46
Latest Dec 13, 2010
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.
2
Latest Feb 11, 2010
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.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 46 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Geo Prizm, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Body & structure1323.6%
  • Engine1018.2%
  • Seat belts610.9%
  • Interior & seats59.1%
  • Electrical47.3%
  • Tires & wheels35.5%
  • Fuel system35.5%
  • Exterior lighting35.5%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10E002000

SUSPENSION

Feb 11, 2010
12,657 units potentially affected
The defect: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
The risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
RIDE CONTROL, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
90V191000

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Nov 9, 1990
654 units potentially affected
The defect: LUG NUTS THAT RETAIN WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS.
The risk: INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING OF LUG NUTS RETAINING THE WHEELCOVER AND WHEEL COULD RESULT IN A LOOSE WHEEL THAT COULD FALL OFF WITH POTENTIALFOR LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REMOVE ORIGINAL WHEEL COVER, TORQUE LUG TO SPECIFICATION, AND INSTALL FULL WHEEL COVERS THAT ARE RETAINED BY SPRING CLIPS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 46
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WERE DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE WIRING AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10370457
Incident
Dec 13, 2009
Mileage
170,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 17, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC USED FOR DOOR KNOBS DISINTEGRATED AND WERE INOPERABLE FOR THE PASSENGER DOORS. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO FRACTURED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE PARTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10366549
Incident
Nov 1, 1997
Mileage
190,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CARBON MONOXIDE WAS PRESENT BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10366545
Incident
Oct 17, 2010
Mileage
190,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 16, 2009
Crash reported

1991 GEO PRISM HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, BEFORE HITTING THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0738-90.

NHTSA ID
10285366
Incident
Aug 16, 2009
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 21, 2005

TIRES HAVE BELT SEPARATIONS AND AS WELL AIR BUBBLES WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BLOW. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED, SHORTLY AFTER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10108656
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Electrical
Filed Nov 29, 2001

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLES /BRAKELIGHT BURNING OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF REPLACEMENT. EVERY GEO PRIZM I SEE ON THE ROADS TODAY HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HATE THE FEAR OF WONDERING WETHER OR NOT THEY BLEW WHILE I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE RISK OF GETTING A TICKET FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
755054
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
Engine
Filed May 24, 2001

JAN/01 - DISCOVERED CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WAS TOLD BY SALVAGE YARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GEOS AND THEY CAN'T KEEP MANIFOLDS IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THE FREQUENCY. NEW MANIFOLD INSTALLED TO REPLACE CRACKED ONE. THE NEW ONE CRACKED APPROX. 1-2 MONTHS LATER.*AK

NHTSA ID
745826
Incident
Feb 14, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Mar 21, 2001

DOOR HANDLES CONTINUOUSLY BREAK OFF, THUS FAR CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT DOOR HANDLES REPLACED.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
883614

Manufacturer communications

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

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

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 Prizm by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002300—
2001600—
2000700—
1999240044.9
1998110038.6
1997502056.9
1996611159.7
1995963165.2
19941343167.4
1993772162.4
1992501040.9
1991Viewing462051.7
1990371046.6
1989010—

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.