1991 Geo Metro

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 50 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seat belts. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Geo Metro years to avoid. Which Geo Metro years to avoid →

Most common 1991 Geo Metro problems

15 of the 50 complaints (30%) are about the seat belts.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · door locks and latches10
000
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly9
101
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner3
104
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor3
201
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags3
111
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear2
000
Structure › Body › Hood · body and frame2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor · engine2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine2
000
Visibility › Windshield1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly95V103007
Filed May 24, 1995466,902 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch93V189001
Filed Nov 23, 1993356,097 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

Risk. AN IMPROPERLY ENGAGED HOOD LATCH MAY RESULT IN A HOODFLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEWAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. GM DEALERS WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jul 12, 200471,800 milesOH

WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle AssemblyCrash1 injured1 killed
Filed May 22, 2003OH

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR COLLISION WHERE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS BECAME UN-BUCKLED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER BEING EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND KILLED. RELATED RECALL 95V103007, MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 28, 2002MI

CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS IN MOTION WHEN THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND, FOLLOWED BY LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALL BRAKING AND STEERING POWER WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UNISTRUT FRAME ON THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN. CHEVROLET DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS ENVIRONMENTAL AND NO REIMBURSEMENT OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WILL BE INCURRED. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES PAID. *JG

Suspension
Filed Apr 9, 2001IL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT HAD A FLAT, VEERING TO RIGHT. ALSO GRINDING NOISE. WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS TORN AND RUBBED ON WHEEL WELL FRAME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRAME WHERE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES FAILED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. *SLC

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting
Filed Apr 9, 2001IL

GUARDS THAT COVER FUEL LINES UNDERNEATH VEHICLE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *AK *SLC

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jan 30, 2001PA

RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND SHOWED A RECALL ON THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY UNIT! MY HOOD FLUNG OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTERSTATE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO HIT THE MAIN WINSHIELD AND CRACK! LUCKILY THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF DID NOT IMPLODE AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH TO ME! AND LUCKILY THE INTERSTATE WAS NOT BUSY, TO HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT! I DID VIEWED MY VEHICLE. THE LATCH ITSELF IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY! ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, GM DEALER WILL REPLACE THE "BOLTS" TO PREVENT THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS THE WITHIN THE HOOD LATCH "ASSEMBLY" UNIT, THE LATCH ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE. IT DOES NOT "CATCH" ONTO THE "PRIMARY" LOCK OF THE HOOD LATCH. I BELIEVE IT IS ACTUALLY THE ENTIRE "HOOD LATCH" UNIT THAT NEEDS RECALL/REPLACEMENT. I AM GETTING THE IMPRESSION, CHEVROLET IS NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT, STATING THAT PERHAPS IT WAS DUE TO A RECENT OIL CHANGE THAT THE HOOD WAS NOT PROPERLY SHUT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR CLOSE TO 10 YEARS AND HAVE CHANGED THE OIL MYSELF AND OTHERS, MANY TIMES. I KNOW THAT CAR INSIDE AND OUT, AND INFACT TOOK THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE HOOD FLYING OPEN (1/24/01). I BELIEVE THE DEFECT IS IN THE HOOD LATCH ITSELF, BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY UNIT!*AK

Seat Belts › Front › RetractorCrash
Filed Aug 3, 2000GA

DRIVER'S SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONED. IN A CRASH DRIVER WAS SEATBELTED, BUT SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, DEALER HAD FIXED THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT FOR THE RETRACTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Dec 22, 1999FL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE . SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED AT THE TIME. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Nov 18, 1999NY

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOCATION/POSITIONING OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. RUBBER COATING ON THE FILLER TUBE FAILED, ALLOWING SALT FROM THE ROAD TO COME IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH METAL FILLER TUBE. TUBE IS LESS THAN 6 INCHES FROM LEFT REAR WHEEL IN PERFECT SPOT FOR ROAD SPRAY TO HIT IT. *AK

Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Oct 31, 1999AR

WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO RECALL EARLIER AND OUR DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE LATCH OR OFFER TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD BROKEN DUE TO THE HOOD FLYING UP AS OF 10/30/1999

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Sep 8, 1999GA

CONSUMER RECIVED RECALL LETTER. WHEN DEALER WAS CONTACTED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

Seats1 injured
Filed Aug 3, 1999MD

THE CAR WAS STRUCK FROM BEHING AT A STOP LIGHT BY A BUS. THE SEAT BROKE BACKWARDS INJURING THE DRIVER, DUE TO LACK OF RESTRAINT.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 2, 1999VA

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION OF STALLING AND DECELERATION DUE TO FACTORY INSTALLED FAULTY PARTS. NATIONAL SERVICE BULLETINS 92-362-6A & 91-442-6E (BOTH ISSUED WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY) INDICATE THE NEED FOR "REVISED" PARTS. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM INHERENT IN MY CAR. BY THE TIME MY CAR BEGAN MANIFESTING THESE HIGHLY DANGEROUS STALLS, WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO WILLINGNESS FROM CHEVY GEO TO REPAIR THE CAR TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR USE, WHEN OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HELP ME! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jan 25, 1999PA

THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP WHEN PULLED ABRUPTLY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Jan 25, 1999PA

2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE REPLACED WITHIN A SIX YEAR PERIOD. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Sep 1, 1998MT

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PUT THE WINDSHIELD BACK DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROLBEM. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jul 1, 1998AL

CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 95V103007. CONSUMER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jan 22, 1998OH

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASH. DOES RECALL EXSIST.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Oct 31, 1997IA

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103007). CALLED DEALER & TOOK VEHICLE IN; DEALER NEVER DID REPAIRS. RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE & DID SAME THING. AGAIN DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR. GOT A 3RD NOTICE & AGAIN NO REPAIR FROM DEALER. WAS INFORMED DID NOT HAVE TIME TO REPAIR VEHICLE & DID NOT KNOW WHEN ABLE TO SO. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Oct 6, 1997FL

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103007). CALLED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT & TOOK VEHICLE. WAS INFORMED, AFTER ARRIVING, THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS. TOOK VEHICLE HOME. LEFT TOWN FOR A WHILE. RETURNED & CALLED DEALER TO SEE IF THEY HAVE PARTS AFTER 5 MONTHS, STILL NO PARTS. *AK

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jul 14, 1997TX

THE MECHANICS WITHIN DRIVER'S/PASSENGER DOORS ARE CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BE SCRATCHED AND LIMITED VISIBILITY. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 11, 1997MA

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35MPH WHEN SHE WAS REARENDED. AT THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN HITTING A POLE AND A TREE. CONSUMER WAS INJURED DUE TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage2 injured
Filed Jun 16, 1997UN

SEATBELT FAILED IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.

Air Bags › FrontalCrashFire1 injured
Filed Jun 12, 1997CT

WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, VEHICLE WAS HIT RIGHT FRONT BY ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE, SPEED UNKNOWN, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER'S DRESS CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING 4 INCH HOLE, DRIVER RECEIVED FACIAL BURNS; INCIDENT REPORTED BY CHRIS KILLAM, FIRE MARSHALL. *AK

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Feb 19, 1997NJ

CONVERTIBLE TOP LATCH CRACKED, WILL LOCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE BUT NOT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jan 7, 1997TX

DEALER FIXED THE RECALL ON THE HOOD ASSEMBLY, BUT NOW THE HOOD HAS CRACKED ALL AROUND THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN FOR THE SAME RECALL NOTICE. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Nov 1, 1996VA

HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD (FLEW OPEN), CONSUMER HAD NO NOTICE OF PRIOR RECALL ON LATCH.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Oct 7, 1996TN

WHEN CAR IS WARM PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR GETS NO RESPONSE. *AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Oct 4, 1996NE

DRIVER/PASS. WINDOW SLIPS OFF TRACK AND FALLS INSIDE DOOR, ALSO EXPERIENCES KEY BREAKAGE IN IGNITION AND HATCHBACK DOOR. *AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Oct 4, 1996NE

DRIVER/PASS. WINDOW SLIPS OFF TRACK AND FALLS INSIDE DOOR, ALSO EXPERIENCES KEY BREAKAGE IN IGNITION AND HATCHBACK DOOR. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Aug 28, 1996TX

WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD FLEW UP AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Aug 12, 1996VA

HOOD OF DRIVERS CAR FLEW UP DUE TO LATCH FAILURE SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD. WAS REPAIRED ONCE BUT THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Aug 5, 1996ID

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY AT APPROX. 50MPH, SUDDENLY HOOD FLEW UP, SHATTERING WINDSHIELD, BENDING HOOD, GLASS THROUGH OUT INTERIOR, VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR HOOD LATCH DEFECT, DLR REPLACED HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jun 17, 1996GA

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE. *SD

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jun 3, 1996OK

HOOD LATCH FAILED TWICE, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP/BLOCK DRIVERS VISION. *DH

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jun 1, 1996LA

HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY SEPARATED, CAUSING HOOD TO STRIKE WINDSHIELD. *SD

Seat Belts › Front › RetractorCrash1 injured
Filed May 29, 1996WA

DRIVING VEHICLE ON I-90, ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION, VEHICLE HIT ROCKS IN ROAD/FLIPPED OVER, DRIVER THROWN FROM VEHICLE, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Apr 30, 1996OR

THE HOOD HAS BEEN REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AND THE LATCH STILL DOESN'T WORK 93V189001. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Feb 15, 1996NY

METAL PLATE THAT SECURES DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. TT

Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Feb 13, 1996KS

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HOOD CAME OFF AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD RECEIVE RECALL AFTER THIS HAPPENED . TT

Seat BeltsCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 13, 1996AL

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN UPON REAR END COLLISION. OCCUPANTS HEAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD. TT

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner3 injured
Filed Feb 12, 1996KY

SEAT LATCH BROKE WHEN VEHICLE REAR ENDED, CAUSING INJURIES. *DSH

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Dec 19, 1995MN

SEAT BELTS FAILED 3 TIMES. *SD

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Dec 6, 1995CO

THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE TAKATA SEATBELTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Dec 6, 1995CO

THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL ON THE TAKATA SEATBELTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Sep 28, 1995WI

THE FRONT BRAKE STARTS TO MAKE NOISE (GRINDING) THE ROTOR WAS FALLING APART . TT

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed Aug 21, 1995FL

IGNITION KEY THAT FITS ALL DOORS AND LOCKS IS VERY THIN AND BROKE OFF IN THE TRUNK LOCK. TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 13, 1995UT

PURCHASED USED CAR AND FOUND OUT IT WAS A REBUILT, BURNED UP ENGINE, DEALER CLAIMS HE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. TT

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 10, 1995MS

VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC LOSSES POWER AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT RESTART. TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Feb 27, 1995CA

HM (916) 441-7741; CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS TWICE RESULTING IN BLOWING HOLE IN MUFFLER TO STALLING WITH NO WARNING. CONVERTER REPLACED TWICE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

All 50 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20016000Routine
200019010Routine
199923000Routine
199833000Routine
199763120Routine
199688051Fatalities reported
1995109100Routine
199468010Routine
199350100Routine
199254100Routine
1991 — this page50211Fatalities reported
199039200Routine

Compare every Metro year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 24, 1995. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.