RoadVitals

1990 Geo Storm 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.
45
Latest Feb 16, 2004
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
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 Jan 6, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Geo Storm. 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 45 · page 1 of 2

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
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 15, 2000

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES SO THAT VEHICLE WOULD SLOWDOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE COMING THOUGH THE VENT AREA. *AK

NHTSA ID
863637
Incident
Jun 14, 2000
Filed May 29, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
723318
Incident
May 9, 2000
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2000

SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1990/91 1.6 GEO STORMS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
721959
Incident
May 5, 1995
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 21, 2000

PROBLEM WITH THE ECU IS A GMC MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE ECU. ECU HAS PROBLEM WITH BOARD LAMINATE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND CHIP CONNECTIONS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY GM FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL GEO STORMS. EXHAUST HEADER IS MADE OF IRON AND RUSTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION. A FEW YEARS AFTERWARDS, EXHAUST HEADER WILL CRACK AND MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DEALER WITH SAME PART, FREE OF CHARGE, EVERY TIME IT BREAKS, OR REPLACED WITH A COMPONENT THAT WILL NOT RUST AND CRACK. *AK

NHTSA ID
721759
Incident
Sep 20, 1998
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
721508
Incident
Mar 18, 2000
Suspension
Filed Mar 18, 2000

EVERY SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR IN AUG OF 1999 THE STRUTS OR SHOCKS, WHICHEVER IT HAS,HAVE BEEN SHOT...THE CAR ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR A DIP... THE SCARIEST PART OF THAT IS THAT IT HAPPENS MORE ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALSO HAVE THREE KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME, IVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES...CANT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PART IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE....ALSO THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS NOT OPENED SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR....IVE TRIED WORKING ON IT BUT ITS JUST TO HARD TO GET THE PANEL OFF THE DOOR...EARLIER THIS MONTH MY WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING AND ON 03/10/00 IT FINALLY WENT OUT AND AT THE SAME TIME THE TIMING BELT BROKE....SO NOW IM WITHOUT A CAR...HOPEFULLY NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED....THE CVBOOT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS ALSO TORN...SO MOST LIKELY THE AXLE WILL GO OUT TOO...IF THERE IS SOMETHING U CAN DO FOR ME PLEASE LET ME KNOW....THANK U...SHARLENE. *AK

NHTSA ID
720297
Incident
Aug 3, 1999
Electrical
Filed Feb 7, 2000

AC DELCO USED A INSULATIVE SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS IN THESE ECUS/COMPUTERS WHICH SHRINKS OVER TIME WHEN EXPOSED TO WARM AND COOL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, SUCH AS THE NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT AN AUTOMOBILE IS SUBJECTED TO. THE SHRINKING INSULATIVE SPRAY CONTRACTS AND PULLS THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD, BREAKING SOLDER CONNECTIONS AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS FAULT ARE MOST NOTABLY ERRATIC IDLE, IDLE REVVING AND DROPPING, IDLE DIPPING OFTEN WITH ENGINE DYING, IDLE HANGING HIGH ABOVE 2,000 RPM, AND ENGINE DYING OR STALLING FOR NO REASON WITH NO TROUBLE CODES. *AK

NHTSA ID
718427
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 1999

ECM FAILURE BEGAN SLIGHTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 80000 MILES ON IT. ENGINE WOULD RUN, THEN SHUT DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHICH COULD BE A SEVERE HAZARD. MECHANIC IDENTIFIED PROBLEM, AND DEALERSHIP REPORTED THEY HAD SEEN MANY STORMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THEN I HAVE SPOKEN TO 20 OR 30 OTHER STORM OWNERS WHOS CARS DEVELOPED SIMIALR PROBLEMS AFTER 3 YEARS OR 80000 MILES DEPENDING ON HOW CAR WAS DRIVEN. WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECIEVE FURTHER CORRESPONDANCE ON ABILITY TO HAVE CAR RECALLED ON SUCH PREMISES. *AK

NHTSA ID
708550
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 27, 1999

THIS IS CONCERNING THE VARYING IDLE SPEED PROBLEMS ON THE STORM THAT WAS REPAIRED BY ISUZU/GM UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DOES NOT COVER VEHICLES OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CAR'S IDLE SPEED VARIES AND SURGES, RESULTING IN STALLS AND OCCASIONAL JERKY TAKEOFFS.

NHTSA ID
707951
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 27, 1999

AT IDLE AFTER CAR WARMS UP, ENGINE TENDS TO SURGE UP FROM 800RPM TO 3000RPM WHILE IN DRIVE. THIS LAUCHES THE CAR FORWARD AT A STOP.

NHTSA ID
707948
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 25, 1998
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE. A WIRING TO REAR TRAIL LIGHTING BURNT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT). *AK

NHTSA ID
534349
Incident
Mar 24, 1998
Airbags
Filed Apr 29, 1998
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER DROVE OFF FROM STOP LIGHT. SOMEONE STOPPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER, AND SHE REARENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE ON FRONT END. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
822878
Incident
Apr 27, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 9, 1997
Crash reported2 injuries reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON INPACT, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BROKE AND WENT TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FALLING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BREAKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
816188
Incident
Sep 3, 1997
Airbags
Filed Aug 4, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported

OWNER HIT ANOTHER CAR HEAD-ON AND AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
815030
Incident
Jun 28, 1997
Steering
Filed Jul 30, 1997

RECALL REPAIRS TO STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE MADE BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER SAID OWERER WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
521793
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Mar 21, 1997
Crash reported

AIRBAG DIDNT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DIDNT LOCK DURING CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
810260
Incident
Feb 7, 1997
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 20, 1996
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY A VAN AT 70 MPH, CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT TO BREAK AND LAY FLAT. *AK

NHTSA ID
805399
Incident
Aug 22, 1994

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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