Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
50
Latest Oct 31, 2008
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 16, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 50 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Geo Prizm. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 50 · page 1 of 2
Seat belts
Filed Oct 31, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 GEO PRIZM AND A 2008 DOREL JUVENILE GROUP SAFETY 1ST RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22147-MDR. THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 13, 2008. WHILE THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED IN THE REAR-FACING CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT, THE RESTRAINT BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE AND ENABLED THE CHILD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE HARNESS BUCKLE; HOWEVER, THE HARNESS STRAPS AND CHILD WERE PULLED OUT OF THE RESTRAINT SEAT WITH A STRUGGLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ID
10247344
Incident
Oct 31, 2008
Brakes
Filed Dec 20, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS/ PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ID
10105111
Incident
Dec 9, 2004
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Jun 5, 2001
Crash reported
ON JUNE 4TH, 2001 VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, CAUSING IT TO RUN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD JUST SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN TO 2 TO 5 MPH. BODY SHOP IS IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER. *AK INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT UNDERTAKE AN EXAMINATION AS IT WOULD NOT BE COST EFFECTIVE. IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER LUBED THE SWITCH. EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED. BATTERY REPLACED. STARTER REPLACED. TIMING BELT REPLACED. RADIATOR REPLACED. BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS TURNED TWICE, BRAKE SPRING KIT INSTALLED. ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS CORRODED AXLE WHOSE COVER HAS BEEN DESTROYED, NEEDS REPLACED. *SCL
NHTSA ID
889820
Incident
May 1, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 3, 2001
VALVE STEM LEAKS CAUSED THE 3 OF 4 MICHELIN TIRES TO GO FLAT THE DAY AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED. NLM
NHTSA ID
558677
Incident
Nov 25, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Oct 10, 2000
3 OUT OF 4 DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN WHERE PLASTIC HOUSING IS LOCATED, CAUSING DOOR HANDLES TO BE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER WILL HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW TO USE OUT DOOR HANLDE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ID
872632
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2000
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ID
727630
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 11, 2000
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF. ALSO, FRONT WINDSHIELD DOES NOT BECOME CLEAN IN FOG.*AK
NHTSA ID
865192
Transmission
Filed Mar 15, 2000
I WAS ON MY WAY TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR. MY FATHER HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A PLACE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE CHECKED. THEY PUT A TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT WAS RUNNING PRETTY GOOD BUT AFTER A WEEK OR SO THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES. MY DAD TOOK MY CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ON HIS WAY HOME ,THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS JUST PUT IN THE CAR LOCKED UP ON HIM. I DID NOT FILL OUT THE DEALER INFORMATION BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE OWNER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ID
720146
Incident
Jan 15, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Jan 10, 2000
I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THESE FAILURES. NO DEFECT(S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ID
717138
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 11, 1999
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING A HELICOPTER-LIKE BLADE SOUND CAME FROM CAR. CHARGED FOR FUEL PUMP ALTHOUGH FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
838826
Incident
Apr 18, 1999
Engine
Filed Jul 7, 1999
ENGINE MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK SINCE AUG OF 1996. WOUL;D LIKE TO KNOW IF IS IT NORMAL WEAR FOR ENGIN E MANIFOLD TO CRACK AT 35,000 MILES. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ID
841846
Incident
Aug 15, 1996
Fuel system
Filed May 25, 1999
THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL PUMP OR TANK, WHICH MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AND MAYBE A FIRE. BUT MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO SEND A TECHNICIAN TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ID
838378
Incident
Feb 1, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 17, 1999
ENGINE GASKET BLEW, CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH OIL, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT; 30000 SERVICE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ID
705717
Incident
Apr 15, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Jan 5, 1999
NO SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ID
701896
Incident
Dec 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 1998
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT BROKE.
NHTSA ID
781406
Incident
Oct 15, 1998
Steering
Filed Oct 19, 1998
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE THE DAUGHTER OF THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE INNER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A DITCH, FLIPPED OVER TWICE, AND LANDED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY INSTRUCTED THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THE AUCTION PLACE FROM WHICH THE DEALERSHIP PURCHASED THE CAR . *AK
NHTSA ID
829110
Incident
Oct 17, 1998
Transmission
Filed May 14, 1998
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND GET OFF ROAD SAFELY. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, BOTH WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED A THIRD TIME BY DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ID
823340
Incident
May 2, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 4, 1998
WIRING HARNESS FAILED.
NHTSA ID
529867
Incident
Jan 11, 1997
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 13, 1998
INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS ON THREE DOORS FAILED.
NHTSA ID
528117
Visibility
Filed Dec 2, 1997
DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE REAR BACK WINDOW BURST OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK
NHTSA ID
819615
Incident
Nov 25, 1997
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Dec 2, 1997
RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT MELTED WHERE THE SCREWS CONNECT WITH WIRING TAB TO TRANSMIT CURRENT TO THE BRAKE LIGHT.
NHTSA ID
525607
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 21, 1997
AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM, REPLACE EVAPORATOR COIL.
NHTSA ID
523739
Incident
May 5, 1995
Body & structure
Filed Sep 23, 1997
PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF.
NHTSA ID
522364
Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 1997
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND POORLY DESIGNED. *AK
NHTSA ID
518345
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Engine
Filed Jul 11, 1997
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL THE TEXAS STATE INSPECTION. *AK
NHTSA ID
518064
Incident
Jan 1, 1995
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.
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