RoadVitals

1995 Geo Prizm Owner Complaints

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.
96
Latest Jan 28, 2014
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.
28
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 Jun 2, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 96 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 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 96 · page 1 of 4

Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 28, 2014

DANGEROUSLY POOR WINTER TRACTION ON A TIRE LABELED AS ALL-SEASON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10561801
Incident
Jan 27, 2014
Seat belts
Filed Oct 15, 2013

DRIVERS SIDE RESTRAINT RETRACTING MECHANISM CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT. PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT RETRACTING MECHANISM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT OR LOCK, AND FREQENTLY JAMS SO IT CAN'T BE PULLED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10547892
Incident
Oct 12, 2010
Mileage
95,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 31, 2013
Crash reported

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IT RATTLES AND THE RIGHT WHEEL MAKES NOISE. FRONT AXLE BROKE AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532919
Incident
Sep 12, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 7, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING 50- 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SUDDEN BANG. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT MOMENTARILY, AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE SIDEWALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SPUN APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES AND STOPPED MOVING SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE POLICE STORAGE COMPOUND. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. REMAILED 05/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF AN INVESTIGATION WAS DONE. UPDATED06/09/08

NHTSA ID
10220353
Incident
Jan 8, 2008
Mileage
84,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 1, 2005
1 injury reported

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRISM. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 5 MPH. BECAUSE SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WHERE SOME PREVIOUS ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROAD SHE WAS TRAVELING ON. BUT THE NIGHT OF THIS INCIDENT THE ROAD WAS FAIRLY LEVELED. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE WAS ALREADY STOPPING. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT THAT SHE IS AWARE OF. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES,SUCH AS SEVERE BRUISING, HEAD INJURIES, BUSTED NOSE AND BLACK EYES. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE INSURANCE AGENCY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 96V070000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR. SHE CONTACTED GM MANUFACTURER AND SHE WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 30, 2005. *AK

NHTSA ID
10135125
Incident
Aug 30, 2005
Airbags
Filed Oct 6, 2004
1 injury reported

REPORTING ON BEHALF OF OUR INSURED. AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HIT POT HOLE. NO FRONTAL IMPACT. INJURY TO DRIVER. AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10093680
Incident
Apr 21, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Aug 20, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH BLACK AND WHITE SPOTS DEVELOPING ON THE VEHICLE'S HOOD, ROOF AND ON TOP OF THE TRUNK. *MR *NM

NHTSA ID
10089558
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Airbags
Filed Aug 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE TECHNICIAN AT THE GARAGE INDICATED THE PROBLEM SHE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER WITH THE RECALL INFORMATION BUT THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10083585
Incident
Jul 7, 2004
Airbags
Filed Jul 22, 2004

YOUR WEBSITE STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE: 95 GEO PRIZM FOR AIRBAGS FRONTAL SENSOR CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10082469
Incident
Jul 22, 2004
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 18, 2003

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE "ALMOST STALLS." THE LIGHT COMES ON AND A DECREASE IN RPM AND ENGINE HESTITATION OCCURS. LIGHT DID STAY ON FOR 1 HOUR, BUT WHEN DEALER CHECKED THERE WERE NO CODES RECORDED. DEALER CHECKED CAR 2 SEPARATE TIMES WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DEFECTS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043136
Incident
Apr 18, 2003
Mileage
96,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THE HARMONIC BALANCER WENT OUT CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10002450
Seat belts
Filed Aug 9, 2002

THREE RETRACTORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY,ONE ON DRIVER'S SIDE BELT/ BELT RETRACTOR BEHIND DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE ON ON PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR. SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT, THEY WILL JUST HANG IN PLACE. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8015910
Incident
Aug 2, 2002
SteeringTires & wheels
Filed Jun 5, 2002
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING OVER A HILL FRONT TIRES STARTED TO WOBBLE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSUMER FOUND SCREWS FROM RACK AND PINION STEERING ON THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8011113
Incident
May 3, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 30, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported

BOTH FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED UPON REAR END COLLISION IMPACT-IS THIS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
761383
Incident
Apr 28, 2002
Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 2002

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DRIVERS RESTRAINT DOES NOT LOCKS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8008339
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2002

A BEVERAGE WAS SPILLED INTO CONSOLE WHILE DRIVING, AND AN HOUR LATER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT RECALL 96 V 107 000, AND THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE. DRIVER STATED THAT RECALL EXPLAINED EXACT PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT EFFECTED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003067
Incident
Jan 17, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Jan 9, 2002

WHILE BUCKLING DRIVER IN SEAT BEL SEAT BELT BOLT BECAME UNDONE, AND CONSUMER WAS NOT RESTRAINT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
8001865
Seat belts
Filed Oct 16, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
753306
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2001

THE BRAKES MAKE HIGH PITCHED SOUNDS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT WORN OUT, THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE 2ND SET OF BRAKES BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT TAKE THE NOISE ANYMORE. *YH

NHTSA ID
785684
Seat belts
Filed Jun 27, 2001

CAR PURCHASED NEW IN 1995(MAY OR JUNE, TOO LAZY TO GO TO THE CAR AND LOOK!) FIRST THE RIGHT REAR SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT ,SO WE PUT THE BABY IN THE MIDDLE OR LEFT REAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE SOME MINOR FLAWS CORRECTED AS WITH MOST NEW CARS(A "PUNCH" LIST). THE SEATBELT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY . SHORTLY THERE AFTER IT DID IT AGAIN. AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THE RIGHT REAR HAS NEVER RETRACTED SINCE. I WAS ABLE TO FREE THE LEFT ONE OCCASIONALLY(2 OR 3) TIMES THEN IT PERMANENTLY LOCKED. WE HAD TO PUT THE CHILD'S SEAT IN THE MIDDLE ; THE BEST PLACE FOR IT .THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHEN THE CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO BUY NEW SEATBELTS AND PAY THE LABOR TO FIX THEM. SCREW THAT! WE JUST TRAVELLED 3 TO THE CAR OR REAR RIDING ADULTS HAD NO SEATBELTS. HAD ANOTHER CHILD IN 1998. BOUGHT A USED VOLVO!! END OF STORY. THANKS! HOYO (PAM'S HUSBAND). *AK

NHTSA ID
747477
Incident
Jun 1, 1994
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jun 1, 2001
Crash reported

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND HAD REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN BRAKES HAD LOCKED. UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
889589
Brakes
Filed Jun 1, 2001

WOULD BE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WITHOUT BEING APPLIED. PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. COULD SMELL BRAKES BURNING. HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT BRAKES, AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. HAD AN ACCIDENT PREVIOUSLY WHEN BRAKES LOCKED UP. CURRENTLY, BRAKES BEING REPAIRED AGAIN AFTER BEING TEST DRIVEN & AND LOCKING UP ON MWCHANIC. *AK

NHTSA ID
889588
Incident
May 10, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN MAKING A TURN THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. THERE WERE CHILDREN PRESENT, VEHICLE WAS RACING UP CURB. ANOTHER TIME ACCELERATER GOT STUCK CONSUMER WAS CHANGING LANES AND GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AGAIN. CONSUMER TURNED OF KEYS, AND HIT A VAN WITH A PREGNANT WOMEN IN IT.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
883698
Incident
May 5, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Feb 5, 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES STICK IN BUCKLE HOUSING. ALSO, REAR SEAT BELTS LOCKS IN RETRACTOR MECHANISM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
879762
Seat belts
Filed Jan 22, 2001

BOTH SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR ARE CONSIDERED DEFECTIVE BY MY DEALER. GM AGREED TO PAY FOR THE NEW SEAT BELTS AFTER I ARGUED FOR AN HOUR WITH A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE AND THEN WENT DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ARGUE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. TO REPLACE TWO SEAT BELTS IN A 95 GEO PRISM THE COST IS UPWARDS OF $650. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM ACTUALY SIAD THAT I HAD BROKE THEM FROM "OVER-USAGE". I WONDER WHY IF IT IS A LAW THAT PEOPLE WEAR A SEAT BELT WHILE OPPERATING A CAR, WHY IT IS NOT A LAW THAT THE CAR MANUFACTURERS GUARANTEE THEIR SEAT BELTS FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR? MY SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACE FOR FREE IN PART BECAUSE I AM AGGRESSIVE, MOUTHY, AND I OUT-WIT BOTH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER AT HALL CHEVROLET. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALY PAID TO GET THEIR DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS FIXED?*AK

NHTSA ID
739766
Incident
Jan 17, 2001

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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