Owners filed 96 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 3 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags › Frontal
20
14
0
14
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
8
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
4
0
4
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
5
0
0
0
Tires
4
1
0
0
Structure › Body › Door
3
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
3
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
3
0
0
1
Air Bags
3
1
0
3
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Suspension10E002000
Filed Feb 11, 201012,657 vehiclesRide Control, Llc
Defect. RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Risk. THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive96V107000
Filed Jun 20, 1996627,858 vehiclesToyota Motor Co., Ltd.
Defect. IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Risk. THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery95V195002
Filed Oct 11, 19954,481 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. THE BATTERY CAN HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD INSIDE THE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE TERMINAL ALLOWING THE CONNECTION INSIDE OF THE TERMINAL TO SEPARATE.
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION, OR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BATTERIES.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires
Filed Jan 28, 2014MN
DANGEROUSLY POOR WINTER TRACTION ON A TIRE LABELED AS ALL-SEASON. *TR
Seat Belts
Filed Oct 15, 201395,000 milesMD
DRIVERS SIDE RESTRAINT RETRACTING MECHANISM CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT. PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT RETRACTING MECHANISM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT OR LOCK, AND FREQENTLY JAMS SO IT CAN'T BE PULLED OUT. *TR
SuspensionCrash
Filed Jul 31, 2013150,000 milesOH
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IT RATTLES AND THE RIGHT WHEEL MAKES NOISE. FRONT AXLE BROKE AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power Train › Axle AssemblyCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 7, 200884,000 milesCO
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING 50- 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SUDDEN BANG. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT MOMENTARILY, AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE SIDEWALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SPUN APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES AND STOPPED MOVING SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE POLICE STORAGE COMPOUND. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. REMAILED 05/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF AN INVESTIGATION WAS DONE. UPDATED06/09/08
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module1 injured
Filed Sep 1, 2005MA
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRISM. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 5 MPH. BECAUSE SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WHERE SOME PREVIOUS ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROAD SHE WAS TRAVELING ON. BUT THE NIGHT OF THIS INCIDENT THE ROAD WAS FAIRLY LEVELED. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE WAS ALREADY STOPPING. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT THAT SHE IS AWARE OF. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES,SUCH AS SEVERE BRUISING, HEAD INJURIES, BUSTED NOSE AND BLACK EYES. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE INSURANCE AGENCY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 96V070000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR. SHE CONTACTED GM MANUFACTURER AND SHE WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 30, 2005. *AK
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Oct 6, 2004NJ
REPORTING ON BEHALF OF OUR INSURED. AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HIT POT HOLE. NO FRONTAL IMPACT. INJURY TO DRIVER. AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPAIRED. *AK
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 20, 2004CA
WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE TECHNICIAN AT THE GARAGE INDICATED THE PROBLEM SHE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER WITH THE RECALL INFORMATION BUT THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NM
Structure
Filed Aug 20, 2004AZ
PROBLEMS WITH BLACK AND WHITE SPOTS DEVELOPING ON THE VEHICLE'S HOOD, ROOF AND ON TOP OF THE TRUNK. *MR *NM
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jul 22, 2004CA
YOUR WEBSITE STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE: 95 GEO PRIZM FOR AIRBAGS FRONTAL SENSOR CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 18, 200396,000 milesTX
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE "ALMOST STALLS." THE LIGHT COMES ON AND A DECREASE IN RPM AND ENGINE HESTITATION OCCURS. LIGHT DID STAY ON FOR 1 HOUR, BUT WHEN DEALER CHECKED THERE WERE NO CODES RECORDED. DEALER CHECKED CAR 2 SEPARATE TIMES WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DEFECTS. *LA
Steering
Filed Jan 9, 2003NY
CONSUMER STATES THE HARMONIC BALANCER WENT OUT CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Aug 9, 2002CA
THREE RETRACTORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY,ONE ON DRIVER'S SIDE BELT/ BELT RETRACTOR BEHIND DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE ON ON PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR. SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT, THEY WILL JUST HANG IN PLACE. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
TiresCrash
Filed Jun 5, 2002CA
WHILE DRIVING OVER A HILL FRONT TIRES STARTED TO WOBBLE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSUMER FOUND SCREWS FROM RACK AND PINION STEERING ON THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
SeatsCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 30, 2002MA
BOTH FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED UPON REAR END COLLISION IMPACT-IS THIS NORMAL. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Apr 23, 2002CA
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DRIVERS RESTRAINT DOES NOT LOCKS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jan 29, 2002OK
A BEVERAGE WAS SPILLED INTO CONSOLE WHILE DRIVING, AND AN HOUR LATER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT RECALL 96 V 107 000, AND THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE. DRIVER STATED THAT RECALL EXPLAINED EXACT PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT EFFECTED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jan 9, 2002CO
WHILE BUCKLING DRIVER IN SEAT BEL SEAT BELT BOLT BECAME UNDONE, AND CONSUMER WAS NOT RESTRAINT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Oct 16, 2001TX
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Sep 22, 2001NY
THE BRAKES MAKE HIGH PITCHED SOUNDS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT WORN OUT, THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE 2ND SET OF BRAKES BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT TAKE THE NOISE ANYMORE. *YH
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jun 27, 2001LA
CAR PURCHASED NEW IN 1995(MAY OR JUNE, TOO LAZY TO GO TO THE CAR AND LOOK!) FIRST THE RIGHT REAR SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT ,SO WE PUT THE BABY IN THE MIDDLE OR LEFT REAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE SOME MINOR FLAWS CORRECTED AS WITH MOST NEW CARS(A "PUNCH" LIST). THE SEATBELT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY . SHORTLY THERE AFTER IT DID IT AGAIN. AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THE RIGHT REAR HAS NEVER RETRACTED SINCE. I WAS ABLE TO FREE THE LEFT ONE OCCASIONALLY(2 OR 3) TIMES THEN IT PERMANENTLY LOCKED. WE HAD TO PUT THE CHILD'S SEAT IN THE MIDDLE ; THE BEST PLACE FOR IT .THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHEN THE CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO BUY NEW SEATBELTS AND PAY THE LABOR TO FIX THEM. SCREW THAT! WE JUST TRAVELLED 3 TO THE CAR OR REAR RIDING ADULTS HAD NO SEATBELTS. HAD ANOTHER CHILD IN 1998. BOUGHT A USED VOLVO!! END OF STORY. THANKS! HOYO (PAM'S HUSBAND). *AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
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: Feb 11, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.