1989 Geo Spectrum 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 1989 Geo Spectrum, 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
- Electrical330.0%
- Interior & seats220.0%
- Body & structure110.0%
- Seat belts110.0%
- Transmission110.0%
- Fuel system110.0%
- Engine110.0%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE GROUND WIRE GOING FROM ENGINE BLOCK TO CAR BODY CORRODED TO THE POINT THA TIT COULDN'T MAKE FULL CONNECTION TO BODY. *AK
THE (ONLY) GROUND WIRE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK TO THE VEHICLE BODE CORRODED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
STRUCTURE FAILURE TO FLOOR/ROOF/PILLARS. (MSP FLINT POST REPORT)
DOOR LOCKS FAILED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *SKD
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
STRUCTURE FAILURE TO FLOOR/ROOF/PILLARS. (MSP FLINT POST REPORT)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR PASSENGER SHOULDER/LAP BELTS EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT DIFFICULTY PULLING OUT AND RETRACTING, RENDERING INOPERATIVE, MFR'S TAKATA. TT
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
5 SPD; FIRE WALL FAILS WHICH HOLDS CLUTCH CABLE.TT *JB
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
CONSUMER STARTS CAR TO WARM SAID CUTS OFF AND CAR STARTS TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
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
OIL PAN LEAKING ON BOTTOM OF OIL PAN. TT
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 .