Owners have filed 91 complaints
about the 1994 GEO Metro with NHTSA between 1995 and 2013.
The largest single group is the seat belts.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 63
Against the median year of the GEO Metro. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 24
14% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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
618.8%
Gasoline
515.6%
Retractor
515.6%
Emission Control
412.5%
Webbing
39.4%
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
39.4%
Rotor
39.4%
Buckle Assembly
39.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
114.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
228.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
342.9%
150,000+ miles
114.3%
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.
Jan 1995peak 7Nov 2013
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Cicero, IL1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELT USE FOR PEOPLE OVER SIX FEET TALL. I RECEIVED THROAT INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT JUST BY HITTING A BUMP. IF THIS OCCURRED DURING A MINOR ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE DEAD. THE CAR WAS A GEO METRO 1994. THIS ALSO HAPPEN DURING HARD BREAKING. I HAVE SOLD THE CAR BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SHOULDER BELT RAPPING AROUND MY NECK. I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A TICKET FOR WEARING THE SHOULDER STRAP UNDER MY ARM. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ARE A POOR DESIGN, AND WILL NOT WORK. I WOULD LIKE A LAW ALLOWING EVERYONE OVER SIX FEET TO BE ABLE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT UNDER THE ARM. DID YOU EVER DO A STUDY ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY BEING STRANGLED BY A SEAT BELT?
NHTSA complaint #10191898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, ALCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AT VERY HIGH SPEED IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS COLLAPSED FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #842195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Paul, MNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE YET. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.
NHTSA complaint #839847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penfield, NY1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SEAT BELT HARNESS FAILED TO LOCK AND RESTRAIN DURING COLLISION, RESULTING IN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #541998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beeville, TXCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE POPPED OPEN, AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT RESTRAINED IN THE SEAT BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE.
NHTSA complaint #819194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, VT2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUPPORT BEAM FOR THE ROOF HAS SHARP EDGE THAT CAUSED INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #516590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 97,000 milesGreen Valley, IL
STEERING
SEVERE CORROSION OF BODY FRAME HARD POINT TO REAR OF LOWER CONTROL ARM OF FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SPLAY OUT WITH UNCONTROLLABLE CAMBER AND STEERING. BOTH FRONT TIRES WORE ON INNER HALF OF TIRES ONLY AND VEHICLE REQUIRED HARD LEFT FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10551460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesGreen Valley, IL
SUSPENSION
SEVERE CORROSION OF BODY FRAME HARD POINT TO REAR OF LOWER CONTROL ARM OF FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SPLAY OUT WITH UNCONTROLLABLE CAMBER AND STEERING. BOTH FRONT TIRES WORE ON INNER HALF OF TIRES ONLY AND VEHICLE REQUIRED HARD LEFT FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10551460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesGreen Valley, IL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
SEVERE CORROSION OF BODY FRAME HARD POINT TO REAR OF LOWER CONTROL ARM OF FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SPLAY OUT WITH UNCONTROLLABLE CAMBER AND STEERING. BOTH FRONT TIRES WORE ON INNER HALF OF TIRES ONLY AND VEHICLE REQUIRED HARD LEFT FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10551460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,000 milesBanister, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GEO METRO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHEN SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED, AND THE TIRE COULD FALL AT ANY MOMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OLD AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 159,000.
NHTSA complaint #10221542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cicero, IL1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELT USE FOR PEOPLE OVER SIX FEET TALL. I RECEIVED THROAT INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT JUST BY HITTING A BUMP. IF THIS OCCURRED DURING A MINOR ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE DEAD. THE CAR WAS A GEO METRO 1994. THIS ALSO HAPPEN DURING HARD BREAKING. I HAVE SOLD THE CAR BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SHOULDER BELT RAPPING AROUND MY NECK. I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A TICKET FOR WEARING THE SHOULDER STRAP UNDER MY ARM. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ARE A POOR DESIGN, AND WILL NOT WORK. I WOULD LIKE A LAW ALLOWING EVERYONE OVER SIX FEET TO BE ABLE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT UNDER THE ARM. DID YOU EVER DO A STUDY ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY BEING STRANGLED BY A SEAT BELT?
NHTSA complaint #10191898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,506 milesMukwonago, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
LTR FM SUSAN LEBLANC (WI) RE HER 1994 GM GEO METRO HATCHBACK, THE FRAME OF THE CAR BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR, REPLY TO THE JANESVILLE DISTRICT OFFICE, ALL ATTACHMENTS NOT IMAGED FWD TO NVS200. *PH *JB
NHTSA complaint #10061099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,506 milesMukwonago, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE FRAME BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTED SHE WAS ALMOST KILLED BY THE DEFLECTING STEEL FROM THE DEFECTIVE FRAME. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10042558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chattanooga, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHEN CONSUMER UNLOCKED SEAT BELT IT FLEW OUT OF HER HAND AND SNATCHED BACK. SHE HEARD SOMETHING INSIDE OF THE LOCKING PART, SOUNDED AS IF IT BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10022044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesNorth Adams, MI
TIRES:SIDEWALL
CONSUMER NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE, AND A SLASH IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. *JB *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10009279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mariposa, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT NO RECALL IS OPEN FOR THAT PROBLEM, FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #8001384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HOOD RELEASED FROM LATCH AND FLEW UP AND SMASHED DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS NOT FOUND A REMEDY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #891666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Spring, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT AT ANY MPH WOULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON TIME. MOST OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED IN THE MORNING. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OFTEN TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #888384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverdale, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ALTERNATOR BELT KEEPS POPPING OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL POSSIBLY DUE TO A DEFECT IN PULLEY , CONSUMER HAS REPLACED BELT 4 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #878691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coleman, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
MAP SENSOR FAILED CAUSEING STALLING AND POOR PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #784366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coleman, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
MAP SENSOR FAILED CAUSEING STALLING AND POOR PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #784366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peck, KS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
CAR HAS GREAT GAS MILEAGE BUT HAS DEADLY STRUCTURAL,SAFETY AND COMFORT DESIGN FLAWS
NHTSA complaint #728670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peck, KS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CAR HAS GREAT GAS MILEAGE BUT HAS DEADLY STRUCTURAL,SAFETY AND COMFORT DESIGN FLAWS
NHTSA complaint #728670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Caro, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY EVEN THOUGH I CLEANED SOCKETS AND REPLACED BULBS. THEN HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT 2AM 0N 11/15/99 AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT AFTERNOON. THEY FOUND THE HARNESS SHORTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND THEY REPLACED IT. LOOKING AT THE PLUG-INS ONE OF THEM LOOKED DISCOLORED FROM THE SHORTING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #714864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, DE
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE METAL ATTACHMENT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD THAT LOCKS INTO THE HOOD LATCH IS RIPPING LOOSE FROM THE HOOD. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF LIABILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #850680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MD
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD FLEW UP, CRACKING THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #848746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MD
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING HOOD FLEW UP, CRACKING THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #848747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, ALCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AT VERY HIGH SPEED IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS COLLAPSED FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #842195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vinland, NJ
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR LOCKS ARE INOPERABLE. PASSENGERS CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR DOORS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #842051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Paul, MNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE YET. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.
NHTSA complaint #839847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silsbee, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE OF THE 1994 GEO METRO HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES AT A TOP SPEED OF 60MPH. EACH TIME THERE IS ENGINE FAILURE, IT LOOSES DECOMPRESSION. ONCE THE ENGINE LOOSES DECOMPRESSION, THE VALVES BURN AND/OR TWIST. THREE TIMES WE HAVE HAD THE BLOCK HEAD REMOVED, THE VALVES REDONE AND EACH TIME THE ENGINE FAILS AGAIN. THE LAST TIME THE ENGINE FAILED, TOP SPEED WAS 55MPH AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS OF THIS ENGINE OR MAKE/MODEL. EVEN THOUGH WE PURCHASED IT USED WITHOUT WARRANTIES, WE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT CONTINUOUSLY FAILS TO OPERATE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UNIT AFTER OUR REPEATED REPORTING OF OTHER PROBLEMS PRIOR TO OUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGINE FAILURE. CAN YOU HELP US?
NHTSA complaint #706030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.