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.
Door
1433.3%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1023.8%
Front
49.5%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
37.1%
AIR Conditioner
37.1%
Tail Lights
37.1%
Buckle Assembly
37.1%
Wheel Bearing
24.8%
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 13Dec 2010
Recalls on the 1991 GEO Prizm
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
10E002000
SUSPENSION
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.
90V191000
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LUG NUTS THAT RETAIN WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING OF LUG NUTS RETAINING THE WHEELCOVER AND WHEEL COULD RESULT IN A LOOSE WHEEL THAT COULD FALL OFF WITH POTENTIALFOR LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Cleveland, OHCrash
TIRES
1991 GEO PRISM HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, BEFORE HITTING THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0738-90.
NHTSA complaint #10285366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CACrash
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH HEARD A SOUND & WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. IT FELT LIKE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE & HIT A POLE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A RECALL #90V191000. HOWEVER, VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #852040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NCFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
AS I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND ATTEMPTED TO FILL UP WITH GAS, MY JACKET SLEEVE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM FLAMES COMING OUT FROM THE TANK. THE TANK NEVER EXPLODED, ADN WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER.
NHTSA complaint #703968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheatland, CA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK DURING A REAREND COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #535638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mishawaka, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERHOOD WHILE DRIVING, ALL WIRES UNDERHOOD BURNED OUT, ALL WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED, SPEED 30 MPH, NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #986912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
POSSIBLE FAILURE OF FU
NHTSA complaint #969481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 170,000 milesOcala, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WERE DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE WIRING AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10370457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesOcala, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CARBON MONOXIDE WAS PRESENT BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10366545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesOcala, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC USED FOR DOOR KNOBS DISINTEGRATED AND WERE INOPERABLE FOR THE PASSENGER DOORS. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO FRACTURED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE PARTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10366549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OHCrash
TIRES
1991 GEO PRISM HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, BEFORE HITTING THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0738-90.
NHTSA complaint #10285366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRES HAVE BELT SEPARATIONS AND AS WELL AIR BUBBLES WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BLOW. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED, SHORTLY AFTER THE SAME THING HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10108656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richfield, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLES /BRAKELIGHT BURNING OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF REPLACEMENT. EVERY GEO PRIZM I SEE ON THE ROADS TODAY HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HATE THE FEAR OF WONDERING WETHER OR NOT THEY BLEW WHILE I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE RISK OF GETTING A TICKET FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #755054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prairieville, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
JAN/01 - DISCOVERED CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WAS TOLD BY SALVAGE YARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GEOS AND THEY CAN'T KEEP MANIFOLDS IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THE FREQUENCY. NEW MANIFOLD INSTALLED TO REPLACE CRACKED ONE. THE NEW ONE CRACKED APPROX. 1-2 MONTHS LATER.
NHTSA complaint #745826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Berlin, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR HANDLES CONTINUOUSLY BREAK OFF, THUS FAR CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT DOOR HANDLES REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #883614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHUAST MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #874631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES BROKE. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WASHER SPAYERS GOT CLOGGED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT SUSPENSION OUT OF ALIGNMENT ON EIGHT OCCASIONS, DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH MISALIGNMENT THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR, REPLACE FRONT TIRES ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MISALIGNMENT OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
RIGHT REAR WINDOW IS VERY HARD TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TAIL AND HEAD LIGHTS BURNED OUT. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TAIL AND HEAD LIGHTS BURNED OUT. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER ODOR DOES NOT GO AWAY. YH
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pine Island, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER SIDE LAP SAFETY BELT WILL NOT LATCH/ I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICAL AND I CAN CONTACT THE ORIGINAL OWNER TO FIND OUT THE EXACT DATE OF AND MILEAGE OF FAILURE PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF IT IS PERTINATE.
NHTSA complaint #721352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, WV
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, AND VEHICLE HESITATES AND MAKES LOUD NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #848503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CACrash
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH HEARD A SOUND & WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. IT FELT LIKE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE & HIT A POLE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A RECALL #90V191000. HOWEVER, VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #852040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gordonsville, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED-2 PLACES REPLACEMENT WAS OF DIFFERENT DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #712112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.