1993 Geo Prizm Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Geo Prizm, 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
- Airbags2730.0%
- Visibility1011.1%
- Seat belts1011.1%
- Engine88.9%
- Interior & seats77.8%
- Electrical66.7%
- Body & structure66.7%
- Brakes55.6%
- Fuel system33.3%
- Suspension33.3%
- Exterior lighting22.2%
- Steering11.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.1%
- Heating & air conditioning11.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
REGULATORS FAILING, CAUSING POWER WINDOWS TO BECOME INOPERATIVES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND SHARE IN HALF THE COST ON THE 1ST. INCIDENT(DRIVER SIDE); 2ND INCIDENT(PASSENGER SIDE); CONDITION REOCCUR AGAIN, AND INFORMED TO CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT WEIRD THINGS HAPPENED TO HER VEHICLE. SHE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE CAME OUT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS SMASHED IN, IT WAS BLACK. ALSO, CONSOLE WAS BURNED OUT. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT OUT. DEALER HAS REPLACED RETRACTOR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT,AND PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED WITHIN 12 MONTHS.*AK
1ST COSCO CAR SEAT--ARM PIECES CRACKED AND ONE OF THE ARMS BROKE OFF---I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY RELUCTANTLY SENT A REPLACEMENT. THIS SEAT HAD ONLY BEEN USED FOR 1 YEAR...THE REPLACEMENT COSCO CAR SEAT WAS USED FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. BOTH ARM PIECES CRACKED COMPLETELY AND THEY ARE METAL PIECES STICKING OUT OF THEM.. I AGAIN CONTACTED COSCO VIA EMAIL THIS TIME REQUESTING MY MONEY BACK--NO WAS MY RESPONSE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEND REPLACEMENT PIECES TO FIX THE ARMS...THE ARMS ARE NOT FIXABLE!!! I WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS---THESE CAR SEATS WERE 2 DIFFERENT MODELS AND STILL APPEAR NEW, WHEN THE ARM PIECES HAD BROKEN. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND FOR THIS PRODUCT BUT IF NOTHING ELSE I WANT THEIR SEATS CHECKED INTO FOR SAFETY...I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME IN GETTING A REAL RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM--INSTEAD OF SORRY BUT TO BAD!!!! THANK YOU....
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
1993 PRIZM HOOD UNLATCHED AND OPENED HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. *TS *JB
THE DRIVER INSIDE DOOR LATCH BROKE. OCCUPANT CANNOT OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING A PROBELM WITH THE HORN ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER STATED WHEN DEPRESSING THE HORN THERE IS NO VOLUME, BECOMES A HAZARD IN AN EMERGENCY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THAT WEIRD THINGS HAPPENED TO HER VEHICLE. SHE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT. WHEN SHE CAME OUT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS SMASHED IN, IT WAS BLACK. ALSO, CONSOLE WAS BURNED OUT. *AK
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, UNABLE TO EXIT FROM DRIVER'S SEAT.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN COLLISION, VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG RESULTING IN FACIAL INJURIES.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
INTAKE MANIFOLD/SUSPENSION FAILED.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
INTAKE MANIFOLD/SUSPENSION FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNALS INOPERATIVE.
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE NOT ALLOWING PASSENGER TO EXIT VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION BEARING FAILED.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE NOT ALLOWING PASSENGER TO EXIT VEHICLE.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .