RoadVitals

1990 Geo Storm

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
45
Latest Feb 16, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
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.
12
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Geo Storm, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1018.9%
  • Electrical917.0%
  • Engine713.2%
  • Steering611.3%
  • Seat belts59.4%
  • Driver assistance59.4%
  • Interior & seats35.7%
  • Body & structure35.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103007

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
466,902 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
92V091001

AIR BAGS

Jul 6, 1992
211,306 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
The risk: FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
The remedy: A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
89V203000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Nov 16, 1989
15,200 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN USING FRONT SEATBACK RELEASE LEVERS TO TIP FRONT SEATBACK FORWARD TO GAIN ENTRY TO, OR EXIT FROM , THE REAR SEAT, IT IS POSSIBLE TO INSERT A FINGER INTO THE SEATBACK HINGE MECHANISM.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FINGER BEING PINCHED ANDPOSSIBLY SERIOUSLY INJURED.
The remedy: REPAIR TO PREVENT CONDITION THAT WOULD PERMIT FINGER INJURY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE95035ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING COLUMN LOOSENING

Opened Jun 7, 1995
Closed Oct 10, 1995

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
EA95014ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE

Opened Apr 25, 1995
Closed Jul 28, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103007

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 45
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 16, 2004

UPON FINDING OUT THAT THE IS A RECALL CALL ON MY 1990 GEO STORM THAT AFFECT THE SEAT SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP BOTH REFUSED TO RUSH THE PARTS NEEDED TO AFFECT THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME THAT IF I WISHED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ALL THE RETRAINT SYSTEMS IN THE FRONT UNDER RECALL IT WAS MY OWN PROBLEM AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN SHIP THE PARTS BY AIR. MY SAFETY ISN'T WORTH AIR FRIEGHT. THE CAR IS ILLEGAL TO OPERATE ON THE STREETS WITH DEFECTIVE SEATBELTSL THIS SAFETY RECALL IS IN MY OPINION NOT BEING DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY MATTER TO INSURE MY SAFETY . *AK

NHTSA ID
10058249
Incident
Feb 16, 2004
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 2002

SOME ONE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM SO I CAN BUY A NEW ECM. *AK

NHTSA ID
762758
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 6, 2001
1 injury reported

THE WIRE CONNECTING TO THE PAWL, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE MANUAL LEVER TO THE PAWL OPPOSITE THE LEVER APPEARS TO BE ENGAGED BUT IS ONLY PARTUALLY ENGAGED, WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS THE PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT IS PULLED OUT BY THE UNENGAGED SIDE RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD, AS A RESULT THE OCCUPANT'S SUSTAINS LOWER LEG OR FOOT INJURIES IN OFFSET FRONTAL CRASHES. NLM

NHTSA ID
548100
Electrical
Filed Apr 17, 2001

I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PICK-UP COIL AND IGNITOR MODULE REPLACE AT 132,563 MILES. NOW BEGINNING BEFORE 189,000 MILES AND AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING (COLD OR HOT) ARE STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. YESTERDAY, 4/17/2001 THE CAR WOULD NOT START I. *AK

NHTSA ID
744203
Incident
Apr 17, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 22, 2001

THE 1990 GEO STORM (AUTO) WILL NOT ONLY STALL, BUT IS STARTING TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO STALL IN RELATIVLY TIGHT TURNS. MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE HESITATION AND SURGING/ACCELERATION. I HAVE HEARD THROUGH INTERNET NEWS GROUPS THAT THEIR IS A DEFECTIVE ECM COMPONENT ON THIS CAR AND THAT THIS DEFECT WAS COMMUNICATED TO CHEVY/GEO DEALERS THROUGH ITS TECHNICAL LITERATURE. SO FAR, I AM SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS THAT WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF THE DEALERS KNOW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE ECM, WHAT KIND OF RECOURSE CAN I TAKE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND/OR RECEIVE MY MONEY BACK FOR THE UNNEEDED REPAIRS. IF THE CAR CONTINUES TO DO THIS, IT CAN BECOME A HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ID
742889
Incident
Dec 7, 2000
Transmission
Filed Feb 23, 2001

CLUTCH CABLES WERE THREADED THROUGH FIREWALL. OVERTIME USAGE OF CLUTCH WOULD CAUSE CABLES TO RIP THROUGH FIREWALL. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE, AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
881280
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 20, 2000

I WAS ASKING AROUND ABOUT WHY MY CAR IDLES FUNNY AND I WAS POINTED TO YOUR PAGE I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE PEDDLE ALSO WHEN I START THE CAR IT WANTS TO HOVER AT ABOUT 2,000 RPM AND WHEN I DROP THE CAR IN GEAR IT SURGES AND THEN DROPS TO AROUND 1,500 RPM I ALSO FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKES SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS DOING THIS TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING.

NHTSA ID
734836
Incident
Oct 17, 2000
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Sep 5, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THEN, HE REALIZED THAT VEHICLE WOULDN'T RESPOND. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK CONSUMER STATES IGNITION MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
869611
Incident
Sep 12, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MSG01145

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

UNKNOWN

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Geo Storm by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995200—
1993560041.6
1992771046.9
1991902261.9
1990Viewing453265.0
1989001—

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.