NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Latch
1341.9%
Buckle Assembly
619.4%
Engine
39.7%
Retractor
39.7%
Latch
26.5%
Anchorage
26.5%
Crankcase (Pcv)
13.2%
Latch
13.2%
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.
Apr 1995peak 7Mar 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 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
PE90084Opened 30 May 1990Closed 14 Aug 1990SUSPENSION
REAR SUSPENSION FAILS
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Dora, ALCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
HEAD REST FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER SUPPORT IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING HEAD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #513736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philliburg, NJCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 25 MPH, FRONT SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #803175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spokane, WACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DURING REAR END COLLISION, WHILE STOPPING,, DRIVERS' SEATBACK REST BROKE, THEN COLLAPSED REARWARD, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #985114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE, ALSO DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLT DETACHED FROM ANCHOR POINT. TT
NHTSA complaint #979030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kayenta, AZCrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-189), CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP INTO WINDSHIELD/ACCIDENT. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #489476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Janesville, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
INQUIRING ABOUT WHETHER RECALL # 95V103007 IS AN ACTUAL RECALL .
NHTSA complaint #10011458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Litchfield, MN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DOOR LATCH HANDLES STAY UP WHEN OPENED. I HAVE 2 DOOR HANDLES DOING THIS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE & REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENEN THE HANDLES STAY UP AND WHEN THE DOOR IS PULLED SHUT THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THE WINDOW HAS TO BE ROLLED DOWN AND THE HANDLE PUSHED DOWN TO LATCH DOOR. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A POOR LUBRICATION PROBLEM. IT MAY IMPROVE SLIGHTLY, BUT ONLY TEMPRORARILY. IF THE PASSENGER THINKS THE DOOR IS LATCHED IT WILL OPEN SUDDENLY WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNS RISKING FALL OUT OF PASSENGER OR PROPERTY OR PERSONAL INJURY LIABILITY FROM THE DOOR SWINGING OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #9004455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRY Ridge, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE IS BURNING OIL WHILE DRIVING, AND SMOKE COMES OUT REALLY BADLY. DRIVER CAN'T SEE TRAFFIC BEHIND HER. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #861153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salina, UT
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 75 MPH, LATCH ON THE HOOD ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP AND BREAK WINDSHIELD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SHOULDER SAFELY. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HOOD AND WINDSHIELD HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HOOD LATCH YEARS AGO, BUT IS UNSURE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS DONE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexander, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE DASH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BUT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #849053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexander, NC
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE DASH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BUT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #849053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Hill, MI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH STRIKER BROKE AFTER TWO YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #843775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Habra, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DEALER HAS NOT HONORED NHTSA RECALL 95V-103.007/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 91C-52, CONCENING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE SINCE AUGUST 10, 1997 UP TO THE PRESENT. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD ON SERVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE KIT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, OR THEY WOULD CONTACT CONSUMER WHEN IT ARRIVED, NEED NHTSA'S HELP IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #841380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meraux, LA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
IT'S BEEN 1 MONTH SINCE CONTACTING THE DEALER CONCERNING HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY RECALL. HOOD LATCH IS BROKEN SO BADLY THAT THE ENTIRE HOOD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER IS GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. I'VE CALLED THEM 3 TIMES ALREADY THIS WEEK. THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT THEY NEED APPROVAL TO REPAIR IT AND THAT THE MAIN OFFICE IS CHECKING TO SEE IF RECALL IS STILL IN EFFECT. I'VE BEEN HAVING TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR A MONTH FEARING THAT THE HOOD WILL FLY UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #707687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXCESSIVE CO EMMISSIONS. A TSB WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #780260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #525469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Independence, MO
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HOOD LATCH RELEASED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO GO IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WHICH CAUSED NO VISIBILITY AND A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #818958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whittier, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECEIVED NOTICE (395V10300). CALLED DEALER & SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE IN. DEALER HAD VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 HOURS BEFORE INFORMING OWNER THEY HAD NO PARTS FOR VEHICLE. WOULD HAVE TO GET PARTS FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, IF THEY HAVE ANY. NOT SATISFIED.
NHTSA complaint #817479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Viejo, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T RESTRAIN THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #813861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kentwood, MI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
STRUCTURE OF THE HOOD ASSEMBLY LATCH RECALL NUMBER 93V189001, CONSUMER HAD THE WORK CORRECTED IN APRILOF 95 AND ON FEB 27, 1997 WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE HOOD FLEW UP.
NHTSA complaint #809494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dora, ALCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
HEAD REST FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER SUPPORT IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING HEAD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #513736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamogordo, NM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH BROKE, CAUSING HOOD TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING, PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #504872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philliburg, NJCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 25 MPH, FRONT SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #803175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, CO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #504651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CYLINDER HEAD/EXHAUST VALVE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #504651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, CO
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STRIPPING TRIM BENT SO THAT WINDOW WILL NOT SEAL, CAUSING A LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #504651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, CO
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHT STAYS ON.
NHTSA complaint #504651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
CYLINDER HEAD/EXHAUST VALVE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #504651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL PLUG LOOSENED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK OUT.
NHTSA complaint #507634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irwin, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT ATTACHED TO DOOR, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM CAR WHEN DOOR OPENED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #505098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.