RoadVitals

1993 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.
77
Latest Jul 26, 2007
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.
1
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.
23
19 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 77 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Geo Prizm, most frequently naming the airbags, visibility and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 4 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

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
96V107000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Jun 20, 1996
627,858 units potentially affected
The defect: IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
The risk: THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA97015ClosedEngineering Analysis

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

Opened Jul 22, 1997
Closed Sep 21, 1998

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 77
Brakes
Filed Jul 26, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 GEO PRIZM. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL LONGER THAN EXPECTED BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT CONSTANTLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10197554
Incident
Feb 10, 2007
Mileage
180,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 1, 2006

1993 PRIZM HOOD UNLATCHED AND OPENED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10175398
Incident
Oct 4, 2006
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 3, 2006
Crash reported2 injuries reported

1993 CHEVROLET PRIZM WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TS THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE TURNED AROUND AND TRAVELED OFF THE ROADWAY AND INTO A DITCH. BOTH PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THEIR HEAD AND BACK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10166960
Incident
Jan 23, 2006
Airbags
Filed Dec 19, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V107000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUTIT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK.

NHTSA ID
10145613
Incident
Nov 1, 2005
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 16, 2004

PURCHASED A 1993 GEO PRIZM FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, BEFORE THE PURCHASE WE NOTED THAT THE NHTSA DESCRIBED A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME OF OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE DEFECTIVE SERIES OF CARS. HOWEVER, IN REVIEWING THE NHTSA WEBSITE I FIND THAT MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS I HAVE, AND IN ADDITION, THE 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA, WHICH THE GEO PRIZM IS ITS COUNTERPART, HAVE ALSO HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHAT MAKES CHEVROLET SO SURE THAT MY CAR'S AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE IS NOT DEFECTIVE? I HAVE NOT HAD A REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THIS PROBLEM, OTHER THAN "MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH." *AK

NHTSA ID
10078311
Incident
Jun 16, 2004
Electrical
Filed Mar 5, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061505
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2003

DANGEROUS LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. REPLACED CRACKED MANIFOLD TWO TIMES, THE SECOND ONE LASTED 16 MONTHS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE!! EXHAUST REPAIR SHOPS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GEO PRIZM AND TOYOTA COROLLA MODELS. AT OVER $300 TO REPLACE EACH TIME, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING. THE MAIN CONCERN I HAVE THOUGH IS WITH THE CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE. IS THIS BEING INVESTIGATED? *LA

NHTSA ID
10047466
Incident
Nov 22, 2003
Mileage
95,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 2003

WHILE DRIVING CAR HOME FROM WORK I NOTICED ENGINE NOISE GETTING LOUDER. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING MORNING I FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED COMPLETELY INTO TWO SEPERATE PIECES.ALSO NOTICED ODOR FROM EXHAUST LEAKING INTO PASENGER COMPARTMENT.APARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD THINK THAT EXHAUST FUMES ARE A LARGE PROBLEM FOR MY EIGHTEEN MONTH OLD SON.I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS OR IS INVESTIGATING THIS AND WHAT IF ANYTHING WAS OR WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043140
Incident
Oct 17, 2003

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

030601020

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AVOIDING OIL BAFFLE DAMAGE DURING OIL FILL PROCESS. *EH

970801735026

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC

533201

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

SQUEAKING OR RUBBING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TW

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
1993Viewing772162.4
1992501040.9
1991462051.7
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.