1992 Geo Storm 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 1992 Geo Storm, 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
- Electrical2021.7%
- Engine1617.4%
- Airbags1516.3%
- Driver assistance1112.0%
- Steering44.3%
- Body & structure44.3%
- Interior & seats33.3%
- Powertrain (other)33.3%
- Seat belts33.3%
- Visibility22.2%
- Brakes22.2%
- Suspension22.2%
- Transmission22.2%
- Fuel system11.1%
- Heating & air conditioning11.1%
- Tires & wheels11.1%
- Other / unspecified11.1%
- Exterior lighting11.1%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 1992 GEO STORM 2+2 WITH A 12 VALVE MOTOR AND A 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION THE CAR CONSTANTLY OVERHEATS EVEN AFTER ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM WAS REPLACE. CAR STALLS, IDLES ERATICALLY DUE TO GM'S FAULTY ECM INSULATIVE SPRAY. AND JUST RECENTLY LOSS OF REAR TAIL LAMPS AND DASH LAMPS. BRAKE TURNING AND HAZARD LAMPS STILL WORK. ALL FUSES AND RELAYS ARE GOOD. *LA
CAR IDLES ERRATICALLY, IT ALSO IDLES ABOVE 2000 RPM SOMETIMES IT LACKS POWER AND SOMETIME IT DOES NOT. THE CAR STALLS WHILE AT IDLE, OR SOMETIMES IT PUMPS GAS IRREGULARLY CAUSING A PULSING.....*JN
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ECM CAUSES ENGINE RPM TO INCREASE DURING WARM/HOT WEATHER WHICH WILL NOT DROP TO NORMAL WHEN THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED UNLESS THE THROTTLE IS PHYSICALLY MOVED (BLIPPED). THIS DANGEROUS AS IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS LIFTED. THIS IS NOT A ONCE A YEAR DEFECT AS YOU ASK BELOW; (HAD TO FILL IN THE BLOCKS OR I COULDN'T CONTINUE). IT IS PREVALENT ON ALL FWD ISUZU BUILT AUTOMOBILES FROM 1989 THROUGH 1994. *LA
THE CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE LAST INCIDENT HAPPENED 4/22/03. *JB
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT DUE TO A MOTORIST WHO FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY, DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AIR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN INJURIES, CONSUMER CONTINUES TO BE UNDER DOCTORS CARE, ANOTHER PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT AS WELL. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY AIR IN THEM. INJURIES OCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
RPMS REV UP AND DOWN... CAR DIES... INSULATIVE SPRAY THAT MANUFACTURER USES ON THE COMPUTER SHINKS AND CONTRACTS WITH CHANGING TEMPERATURES AND BREAKS THE SOLDER AT THE COMPUTER CAUSING MISFIRES AT IDLE AND THOUGHOUT ALL DRIVING SPEEDS AND RANGES, ENGINE REVVING UP AND DOWN, ENGINE DYING, AND RPM HOLDING AT 2000 RPM GM KNOWS ABOUT THE FAULT IN THERE COMPUTERS...THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE... THEY USED THIS SPRAY ON INSULATORS ON 85-93 DELCO COMPUTERS... THEY USE A NEW SPRAY ON 95 AND UP, BUT DON'T ON FACTORY RECONDITIONERD ECU'S PRIOR TO 1995. *AK
ENGINE RUNS ERRATIC TIMES EVEN AFTER TUNEUP,HIGHREVS, POWER SURGES,AND STALLING. *AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FAULTY ECU COMPONENT ON MY CAR HAS AGAIN MADE MY CAR TO STALL, BUT THIS TIME I WAS IN A BAD SITUATION, W/THE ENGINE STALLING OUT I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, THUS CAUSING ME TO DRIVE INTO A 10FT DEEP DITCH. AS METIONED BEFORE, THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE ONLY TIME MY CAR HAS STALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM (IE IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTIONS AND SO FORTH) THIS IS A VERY DAGEROUS DEFECT THAT, IZUZU UAND NHTSA ARE AWARE OF, I'M HOPING THAT THIS INCIDENT ALONG W/THE MANY OTHERS IS ENOUGH FOR NHTSA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM . THANK YOU. *AK
SPINDLE RUSTED THROUGH AND AXLE BROKE. FRONT WHEEL WAS ACTUALLY WOBBLY. *AK
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
N O SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED WINDSHIELD DUE TO CORRODED SUPPORT BAR.
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
I THINK GM SHOULD MAKE A RECALL ON THE ECM BE CAUSE THE IDLE IS SO ERATIC ON THESE CARS . THERE ARE ALOT THAT ARE LIKE THAT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 65 MPH HOOD LATCHES FAILED. VEHICLE HOOD BECAME APART, SMASHING INTO WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPINDLE RUSTED THROUGH AND AXLE BROKE. FRONT WHEEL WAS ACTUALLY WOBBLY. *AK
BRAKE ROTORS CORRODED. *SD
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 RESTRAINT RETCRATOR BELTS ARE FAILING TO LOCK UNABLE TO USE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN VEHICLE; DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. SEEKING ADDDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM NHTSA ON THIS MATTER. *K
DRIVERS SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD HER IN PLACE IN ABOVE ACCIDENT, CONTRIBUTING TO INJURY.
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
UNKNOWN OILY FILM/RESIDUE APPEARS ON WINDOWS INSIDE. MANUFACTURER/DEALER UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE. TT
DEFROST HEATER SYSTEM; THERE IS ICE INSIDE THE WINDOW. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE ROTORS CORRODED. *SD
BRAKES FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING ON INCLINE AT LOW SPEED 25 MPH, BRAKE PEDAL FADED, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION. TT
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
BRAKE ROTORS CORRODED. *SD
THE CV JOINT AND THE STRUT WORN OUT . 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
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND ALL RPM DROPPED AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DEALER STATES THAT THEY CAN NOT REPAIR VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS OLDER THAN 10 YEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
BRAKE ROTORS CORRODED. *SD
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
VEHICLE HAD COMPUTER CHIP REPLACED; SMELLED FUMES; ASSUMED MUFFLER FAILURE, TOOK TO MECHANIC; MECHANIC SAID THAT IT HARD TO FIND EXACT CAUSE BUT HAD CRACKED MANIFOLD; TOLD TO CHECK FOR RECALL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR USES THE AC DELCO IGNITION AND FUEL SYSTEM AND UTILIZES AC DELCO ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, ALSO SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS A ECM OR ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE). THE PROBLEM IS THAT AC DELCO USED A INSULATIVE SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS IN THIS CAR THAT 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. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW, MY 1992 GEO STORM-4 CYL., HAS EXHIBITED RPM'S ABOVE 2000 WHEN IDLING AT A STOP WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 60 DEGREES F. I MUST KEEP THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY PRESSED TO THE FLOOR SINCE THE AUTO. TRANSMISSION WANTS TO ENGAGE. THIS SYMPTOM ALSO CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO ACT AS IF IT IS ENGAGED IN CRUISE CONTROL, ACCELERATING TO ABOUT 30 MPH, ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT OPTION INSTALLED IN THE CAR AT PURCHASE. I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH ISUZU'S, (THE GEO STORM ENGINE IS AN ISUZU PRODUCT), ALL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE INSULATIVE SPRAY ON THE ECM. I CERTAINLY HOPE THE MANUFACTURERS CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION.
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
SPINDLE RUSTED THROUGH AND AXLE BROKE. FRONT WHEEL WAS ACTUALLY WOBBLY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE ROTORS CORRODED. *SD
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 .