Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1989 GEO Metro
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
827.6%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 68,000 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
620.7%
Seat Belts
413.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Seats
26.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
26.9%
Fuel & Propulsion
26.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 68,000 mi
Lights
13.4%
Brakes
13.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 68,000 mi
Electrical System
13.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain
13.4%
Engine & Cooling
13.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 3Apr 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 GEO Metro
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE94092Opened 21 Dec 1994Closed 25 Apr 1995SEAT BELTS
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL
EA93006Opened 26 Feb 1993Closed 26 Nov 1993STRUCTURE
HOOD FLY-UPS
PE92085Opened 26 Oct 1992Closed 19 Feb 1993STRUCTURE
HOOD FLY-UP
PE90084Opened 30 May 1990Closed 14 Aug 1990SUSPENSION
REAR SUSPENSION FAILS
Recalls on the 1989 GEO Metro
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
95V103007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
93V189001
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 68,000 milesSouth Gate, CACrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
NHTSA complaint #10069031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSouth Gate, CACrash
STRUCTURE
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
NHTSA complaint #10069031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSouth Gate, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
NHTSA complaint #10069031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, TN3 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #510565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, TNCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE DURING HEAD ON COLLISON.
NHTSA complaint #801959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clevland, OH1 injured
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BLEW IN WHILE DRIVING AND CUT THE PASSENGERS DUE TO A RUSTED OUT CHANNEL THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW UP.TT CONSUMER WAS CUT ON THE LEFT LEG, SCALP AND THE KNUCKLES ON RIGHT HAND DUE TO GLASS BLOWING ACROSS, ALSO 2 YEAR OLD SON HAD GLASS BLOWN PAST HIM AND INTO HIS CAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #972994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 68,000 milesSouth Gate, CACrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
NHTSA complaint #10069031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSouth Gate, CACrash
STRUCTURE
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
NHTSA complaint #10069031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSouth Gate, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
NHTSA complaint #10069031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
College City, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
ON OCTOBER 8, 2001, THE HOOD OF OUR 1989 GEO METRO FLEW UP AND CRACKED OUR WINDSHIELD, DESTROYED THE HOOD AND OBSCURED OUR VISION. AFTER TALKING WITH ANOTHER GEO OWNER WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON GEO METROS FOR A HOOD LATCH DEFECT. WHEN LOOKING AT OUR HOOD IT WAS EVIDENT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED HAS THE SPOT WELDS DID NOT HOLD. I CONTACTED THIS SITE FIRST AND IT APPEARS THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN FOR THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, WHEN CALLING THE DEALER TO PROCEED I WAS TOLD MY CAR DID NOT COME UP FOR A RECALL IN THE SYSTEM. I THEN CONTACTED GM TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. WE HAVE RELACED THE HOOD WITH A USED HOOD WHICH I AM SURE COULD POSSIBLY CONTAIN THE SAME DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER ON THE NHTSA SITE DID NOT MATCH THE GM CAMPAIGN AND FURTHER THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS SO OLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH. I AM IN THE MEANTIME DRIVING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE CAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM GM UNLESS I CALL THEM FOR STATUS AND WHEN I DO THEY HAVE NOTHING NEW TO TELL ME. I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND HOOD AT MY OWN COST AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY CURRENT HOOD IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. I DO NOT SEE ANY BOLTS IN THE LATCH WHICH IS THE REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #754390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermosa Beach, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH 0IL CARBURETOR. THE CONSUMER OIL SHOOTS UP INTO THE CARBURETOR, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DIE OUT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #831327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rhinelander, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHEN THE SEATBELTS ARE IN USE THE BELTS LOCK UP TOO TIGHT AND WILL NOT LOOSEN UNTIL THE BELT BUCKLE COMES LOOSE. DEALER SAYS THAT IS HOW THEY WORK.
NHTSA complaint #821338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE ON HOOD FAILURE BEFORE HOOD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #603360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, TN3 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #510565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SCREWS PULLED THREW FRAME BODY WITH HINGE ATTACHED, ALLOWED TO HANG BY ONE SINGLE HINGE.
NHTSA complaint #803686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SCREWS PULLED THREW FRAME BODY WITH HINGE ATTACHED, DOOR HUNG ONLY BY ONE SINGLE BOLT.
NHTSA complaint #803687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schenectad, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. CAUSING THE HOOD TO OPEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. RECAL NO 93 V 189 001 FOR THE HOOD LATCHES, HAD BEEN FIXED ON 2-17-96.
NHTSA complaint #802870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP.
NHTSA complaint #507963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, TNCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE DURING HEAD ON COLLISON.
NHTSA complaint #801959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklinvill, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT HOOD CAME OPEN, ALMOST ACCIDENT, COULDN'T SEE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #800352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midland, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS VERY WEAK, AND WIND GETS INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND CAUSE THE DOOR TO COME OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #986289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK BRACKET HOLS=DINGF THE SRICER'S BACK SEAT BROKE, DRIVER FELL INTO REAR OF VEHICLE. DON HAROUFFI <HAROUFFD@MAIL.TOP.NET.
NHTSA complaint #485198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleverland, 00
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
OWNER MOUNTED THE HOOD DOWN AND DLR WILL NOT FIX IT NOW 93V189001.
NHTSA complaint #985722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Water Valley, MS
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE HATCHBACK WINDOW FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #980901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellensburg, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT HOLD IN PLACE WHEN YOU FASTEN IT. YOU CAN PUT THE FACE IN THE BUCKLE AND IT WILL SLIDE OUT IF YOU MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #980769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Orford, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER BOX MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL/STOP WITH NO WARNING. PROBLEM REOCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #976025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clevland, OH1 injured
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW BLEW IN WHILE DRIVING AND CUT THE PASSENGERS DUE TO A RUSTED OUT CHANNEL THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW UP.TT CONSUMER WAS CUT ON THE LEFT LEG, SCALP AND THE KNUCKLES ON RIGHT HAND DUE TO GLASS BLOWING ACROSS, ALSO 2 YEAR OLD SON HAD GLASS BLOWN PAST HIM AND INTO HIS CAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #972994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER CABLE WAS NOT SEALED DURING ASSEMBLY, CABLE PUMP BECAME LOOSE ACTING AS PUMP, PUMPING OIL FLUID INTO INSTRUMENT PANEL, CREATING POTENTIAL FOR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #972890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, MICrash
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HOOD BRACKET BROKE, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP, LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND ACCIDENT, PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #489264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cranesville, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED FRONT WINDSHIELD AND BENT THE ROOF. TT
NHTSA complaint #967734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkhorn, NE
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVERS SEAT BACK FAILED BELOW THE HINGE ALLOWING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #967255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.