Owners have filed 132 complaints
about the 1995 GEO Metro with NHTSA between 1995 and 2009.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 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 — 91
Against the median year of the GEO Metro. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
68.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 28
17% 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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
116.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
233.3%
150,000+ miles
233.3%
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 8Jan 2009
Recalls on the 1995 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1994176139 units in Canada
Brakes
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECTLY MACHINED REAR BRAKE DRUMS. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF WHEEL CLAMP LOAD. THIS COULD RESULT IN FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING POSSIBLE WHEEL SEPARATION AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: BOTH REAR WHEEL DRUMS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 197,252 milesGirdler, KYCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD 95 GEO METRO, THE DAY I WRECKED IT WAS RAINING. I WAS COMING UPON A CURVE, AND I HIT MY BRAKES. IT HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THEY LOCKED UP, AND THE CAR STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE CAR HAD TURNED ON ITS TOP IN A COVERT. MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN WITH ME, AND NEITHER AIR BAG HAD CAME OUT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL CAME TO REST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS. I LOST THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THE TOP WAS PUSHED IN, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, AND THE FRONT GRILL WAS OFF. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE IS PUSHED TOWARD THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE LAW HAD CAME OUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE FILED A REPORT. HE HAD ASKED IF I WAS GOING TO REPORT IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND I REPLIED NO. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND AS FOR US WE SEEMED ALRIGHT JUST BRUISED AND SORE ALL OVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT IS CLOSE TO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10149553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 197,252 milesGirdler, KYCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I HAD 95 GEO METRO, THE DAY I WRECKED IT WAS RAINING. I WAS COMING UPON A CURVE, AND I HIT MY BRAKES. IT HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THEY LOCKED UP, AND THE CAR STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE CAR HAD TURNED ON ITS TOP IN A COVERT. MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN WITH ME, AND NEITHER AIR BAG HAD CAME OUT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL CAME TO REST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS. I LOST THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THE TOP WAS PUSHED IN, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, AND THE FRONT GRILL WAS OFF. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE IS PUSHED TOWARD THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE LAW HAD CAME OUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE FILED A REPORT. HE HAD ASKED IF I WAS GOING TO REPORT IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND I REPLIED NO. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND AS FOR US WE SEEMED ALRIGHT JUST BRUISED AND SORE ALL OVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT IS CLOSE TO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10149553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dracut, MACrash
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10040356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesBuena Vista, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY GEO METRO WENT DOWN A HILL FLIPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND HIT A TREE. NEITHER AIR BAG EVER CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10013879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesWaterloo, OH1 injured
STRUCTURE
THE DASH IN MY 1995 GEO METRO IS DISINTEGRATING IN SMALL PARTICLES THAT BLOW INTO MY FACE WHILE DRIVING AND IS PARTICULARLY AGGRAVATING WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITION ARE ON. I COMPLAINED AS EARLY AS 1998 TO NO AVAIL. I CAN FURNISH PICTURES SHOWING HOW SERIOUS THIS IS. EVERYONE SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. CAN YOU HELP! DATES ARE APPROXIMATE.
NHTSA complaint #10008322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ORCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN A REAR COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8014656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 133,000 milesOcean Springs, MS
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
REAR DOORS ON MY GEO METRO (1995) WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE! IT STARTED WITH REAR LEFT AND NOW BOTH ARE EFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10256668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesYuba City, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO METRO WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 108000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HAD PITTING IN WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO HAVE A GLARE AND VISIBILITY PROBLEMS WHEN THE SUN SHINEDE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW HOW THE WINDSHIELD BECAME PITTED.
NHTSA complaint #10182803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 197,252 milesGirdler, KYCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD 95 GEO METRO, THE DAY I WRECKED IT WAS RAINING. I WAS COMING UPON A CURVE, AND I HIT MY BRAKES. IT HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THEY LOCKED UP, AND THE CAR STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE CAR HAD TURNED ON ITS TOP IN A COVERT. MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN WITH ME, AND NEITHER AIR BAG HAD CAME OUT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL CAME TO REST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS. I LOST THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THE TOP WAS PUSHED IN, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, AND THE FRONT GRILL WAS OFF. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE IS PUSHED TOWARD THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE LAW HAD CAME OUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE FILED A REPORT. HE HAD ASKED IF I WAS GOING TO REPORT IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND I REPLIED NO. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND AS FOR US WE SEEMED ALRIGHT JUST BRUISED AND SORE ALL OVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT IS CLOSE TO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10149553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 197,252 milesGirdler, KYCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I HAD 95 GEO METRO, THE DAY I WRECKED IT WAS RAINING. I WAS COMING UPON A CURVE, AND I HIT MY BRAKES. IT HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THEY LOCKED UP, AND THE CAR STARTED SPINNING AROUND. I COULDN'T GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE CAR HAD TURNED ON ITS TOP IN A COVERT. MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN WITH ME, AND NEITHER AIR BAG HAD CAME OUT LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO. THE WHOLE FRONT GRILL CAME TO REST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS. I LOST THE USE OF THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THE TOP WAS PUSHED IN, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, AND THE FRONT GRILL WAS OFF. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE IS PUSHED TOWARD THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE LAW HAD CAME OUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE FILED A REPORT. HE HAD ASKED IF I WAS GOING TO REPORT IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND I REPLIED NO. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND AS FOR US WE SEEMED ALRIGHT JUST BRUISED AND SORE ALL OVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT IS CLOSE TO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10149553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grandview, MO
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
BACK DOORS W/CHILD SECURITY LOCKS FAIL TO UNLOCK ONCE PLACED INTO CHILD PROTECTION MODE. DOORS TAKEN APART AND "REPAIRED" HOWEVER CHEVY DEALER ONLY SPRAYED WD-40 INTO LOCKS. DOORS OPENED ONCE AND HAVE NOT OPENED FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHES.
NHTSA complaint #10098121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dracut, MACrash
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10040356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesBuena Vista, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY GEO METRO WENT DOWN A HILL FLIPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND HIT A TREE. NEITHER AIR BAG EVER CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10013879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesWaterloo, OH1 injured
STRUCTURE
THE DASH IN MY 1995 GEO METRO IS DISINTEGRATING IN SMALL PARTICLES THAT BLOW INTO MY FACE WHILE DRIVING AND IS PARTICULARLY AGGRAVATING WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITION ARE ON. I COMPLAINED AS EARLY AS 1998 TO NO AVAIL. I CAN FURNISH PICTURES SHOWING HOW SERIOUS THIS IS. EVERYONE SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. CAN YOU HELP! DATES ARE APPROXIMATE.
NHTSA complaint #10008322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ORCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN A REAR COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8014656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DURING BRAKE REPAIR MECHANIC NOTICED THAT FRAME WAS RUSTING BEHIND FRONT WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #8002976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, ALL STEERING WAS LOST. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT AXLE HAD DISCONNECTED FROM LEFT SIDE OF TRANSMISSION. *AK THIS WAS DUE TO LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #8002407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Home, ARCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON TURNSIGNAL ARM GOES OFF CAUSING LIGHTS TO GO OUT. BAD SWICTH AND BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH CAUSE BLACKOUT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #756381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson, CT
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ALL FOUR DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM BOTH SIDES, INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY ON TRACK. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK DUE TO A SHORT IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #898509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson, CT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ALL FOUR DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM BOTH SIDES, INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY ON TRACK. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK DUE TO A SHORT IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #898509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
ALL FOUR DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM BOTH SIDES, INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY ON TRACK. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK DUE TO A SHORT IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #898509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Adrian, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHERE WIRING HARNESS FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH PLUGS INTO FUSE BOX BURNT CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS HAD NUMBER OF THESE AT A COST OF $550 TO REPAIR. I SAY IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY NEED TO RECALL THEM. HEADLIGHT FAILURE AT ANY SPEED I FEEL IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #742191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barnesville, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE BRAKES START TO MAKE A NOISE ALL AROUND THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #735851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE ROLLING UP DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLASS WILL COME OUT OF TRACK. ALSO, INSIDE HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR. *AK BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE BACK DOOR HANDLES ARE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #868217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson, CT
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHILE ROLLING UP DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLASS WILL COME OUT OF TRACK. ALSO, INSIDE HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR. *AK BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE BACK DOOR HANDLES ARE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #868217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elgin, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. WIRING HARNESS FOR HEADLIGHTS PLUGGED IN THE HEAD DUE TO PIN CONNECTORS BEING TOO SMALL TO HANDLE THE CONNECTION AND STARTED BURNING. COMBINATION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #867614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kimball, MICrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND WAS HIT IN THE SIDE, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT END. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED . *AK
NHTSA complaint #860718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES SOFT AND GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #859283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WANDERED ONTO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE EXPRESS WAY AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD-ON AT 60MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #856576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mingus, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO USE THE DAYTIME RUNNING TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A AUTO REPAIRED SHOP. THE LIGHTS WORKED FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. OWNER DOES NOT DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS REASON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #856025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapids, MN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
BOTH REAR DOORS FAIL TO OPEN FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #716867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.