2001 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 2001 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
- Body & structure333.3%
- Electrical111.1%
- Engine111.1%
- Other / unspecified111.1%
- Suspension111.1%
- Transmission111.1%
- Visibility111.1%
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE BLEW UP AND BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE HOOD WAS TIED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE HINGES ON THE HOOD WERE RUSTED. *AK
INTERIOR- FRONT DRIVER SIDE, SIDE OF DASHBOARD PANEL AND DOOR FRAME PANEL RUBBING TOGETHER THAT CAUSES INTERIOR PAINT TO DETERIORATE. *NM
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 THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AFTER THE FUSE WAS REPLACED. *AK *CB *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR FOR REPAIRS. EACH TIME A REPAIR WAS DONE. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REAPPEARED, AND CAME ON AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE CAR THE RIGHT WAY . AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
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
THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE CAR THE RIGHT WAY . AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION IS A MANUAL TRANSMISION. ONCE AWHILE, WHEN THE GEAR IS SHIFT TO REAR GEAR WHILE THE CAR IS IN COMPLETE STOPPED. THE CAR MOVE FORWARD INSTEAD BACKWARD. IT HAPPEN MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED NEW 10 MONTHS AGO.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE CAR THE RIGHT WAY . AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
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 .