Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Geo Prizm, most frequently naming the engine, heating & air conditioning and airbags categories. 47 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2002 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 3 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 4 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 5 |
| Apr 2008 | 1 | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 7 |
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.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 1997 Geo Prizm. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 324,000.
THE HANDLE OF THE LEFT-HAND (DRIVER) DOOR HAS STOPPED OPENING THE DOOR. THE PLASTIC FIXTURE WHERE IT SHOULD ENGAGE FOR THE DOOR TO OPEN DOES NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOW STOPPED ROLLING UP AT THE SAME TIME. THIS EXACT DEFECT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR 2002 CHEVY PRISM. THE PLASTIC PIECE AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE OF THE SAME DRIVER'S SIDE HAS CRACKED AND NO LONGER CAN ENGAGE TO WORK. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR! *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS CONDITION, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS.
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BOLT DETACHED, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASE FOR NOISES,AC NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS HAD GONE ON WITH NO PAPERWORK DRAWN UP TO SHOW THE NUMBER OF TIMES WE BROUGHT IT IN UNTIL 3-16-02 WHEN THEY FINALLY AGREED TO PRINT UP A FORM BUT DID NOT HEAR OR FIND THE PROBLEMS.JUNE 3,2002 WE HAD THE CAR BACK TO BILL HEARD AND ARGUED WITH THEM THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OR SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY HEARD ONE OF THE NOISES AND REPLACED THE AC COMPRESSOR. THEN WE WERE TOLD THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS BAD AND WE NEEDED TO PAY AND HAVE IT REPLACED. WHEN WE ASKED THEM WHY IT WENT BAD THEY HAD NO ANSWER. WE THEN LEFT TO GO ON VACATION IN NEW YORK. WE MADE IT NEW YORK AND DURING OUR VACATION THE NOISES GOT WORSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO FOX AUTO GROUP , INC. IN PAINTED POST,NY. 14870 AND THEY HAD FOUND THE EXHAUST PIPE SHIELD BAD, SERPENTINE BELT (THE 2ND ONE) BAD AGAIN, THE BELT TENSIONER HAD GONE BAD. THEY SAID THEY DONT SEE HOW WE MADE IT TO NEW YORK FROM FLORIDA WITH THESE PROBLEMS. WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A BAD ACCIDENT OR EVEN KILLED AS A RESULT OF THESE PROBLEMS. WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE SITUATION , FOR NO ONE BELIEVING US EXCEPT FOR FOX AUTO WHO DID A WONDERFUL JOB. HOW CAN DEALERSHIPS, CAR MAKERS TAKE LIFE SO LIGHTLY WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLES LIVES?? WE EVEN HAD TO HAVE MY FATHER IN LAW DRIVE 101 MILES TO GET THE TENSIONER SO WE COULD LEAVE TO HEAD HOME. OUR VACATION WAS RUINED AS A RESULT OF OUR CAR BEING IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK. NO WONDER BILL HEARD CHEVROLET IS ALWAYS ON THE NEWS FOR RIPPING PEOPLE OFF. THERE ARE A FEW OTHER MATTERS THAT MY HUSBAND WOULD LIKE TO DEAL WITH IF SOMEONE CAN CONTACT HIM AT 407-880-2271 .*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE WOULD ENGAGED AND DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, THE DEALER REPLACED THE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BUT WAS NOT SURE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, AND THE BRAKES STILL DON'T WORK 100%.*YD
CHEMICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. TOOK TO BOB BELL CHEVROLET THEY HAD CLAIMED THERE WAS A BULLETIN CLAIMING THERE WAS A KIT THAT THE CONSUMER COULD BUY FOR $650.00 TO REPAIR A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. CHEMICAL SMELL MAKING ME SICK.*AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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.