FaultScore report
Owners have filed 130 complaints about the 1995 GEO Prizm with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 7 worst.
FaultScore 70/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the GEO Prizm.
How this is worked out130
Complaints
40
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
32
Injuries reported
96,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 150,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 84,000 mi
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 150,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 96,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 96,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
3 crashes, 0 fires
2 crashes, 0 fires
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.
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.
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.
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
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.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Risk: THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE BATTERY CAN HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD INSIDE THE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE TERMINAL ALLOWING THE CONNECTION INSIDE OF THE TERMINAL TO SEPARATE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION, OR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STEERING
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IT RATTLES AND THE RIGHT WHEEL MAKES NOISE. FRONT AXLE BROKE AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10532919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IT RATTLES AND THE RIGHT WHEEL MAKES NOISE. FRONT AXLE BROKE AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10532919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING 50- 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SUDDEN BANG. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT MOMENTARILY, AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE SIDEWALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SPUN APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES AND STOPPED MOVING SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE POLICE STORAGE COMPOUND. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. REMAILED 05/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF AN INVESTIGATION WAS DONE. UPDATED06/09/08
NHTSA complaint #10220353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRISM. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 5 MPH. BECAUSE SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WHERE SOME PREVIOUS ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROAD SHE WAS TRAVELING ON. BUT THE NIGHT OF THIS INCIDENT THE ROAD WAS FAIRLY LEVELED. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE WAS ALREADY STOPPING. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT THAT SHE IS AWARE OF. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES,SUCH AS SEVERE BRUISING, HEAD INJURIES, BUSTED NOSE AND BLACK EYES. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE INSURANCE AGENCY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 96V070000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR. SHE CONTACTED GM MANUFACTURER AND SHE WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 30, 2005.
NHTSA complaint #10135125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
REPORTING ON BEHALF OF OUR INSURED. AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HIT POT HOLE. NO FRONTAL IMPACT. INJURY TO DRIVER. AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10093680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING OVER A HILL FRONT TIRES STARTED TO WOBBLE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSUMER FOUND SCREWS FROM RACK AND PINION STEERING ON THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES
DANGEROUSLY POOR WINTER TRACTION ON A TIRE LABELED AS ALL-SEASON.
NHTSA complaint #10561801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
DRIVERS SIDE RESTRAINT RETRACTING MECHANISM CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT. PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT RETRACTING MECHANISM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT OR LOCK, AND FREQENTLY JAMS SO IT CAN'T BE PULLED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10547892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IT RATTLES AND THE RIGHT WHEEL MAKES NOISE. FRONT AXLE BROKE AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10532919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IT RATTLES AND THE RIGHT WHEEL MAKES NOISE. FRONT AXLE BROKE AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10532919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING 50- 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SUDDEN BANG. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT MOMENTARILY, AND THEN BACK TO THE RIGHT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE SIDEWALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SPUN APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES AND STOPPED MOVING SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE POLICE STORAGE COMPOUND. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. REMAILED 05/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF AN INVESTIGATION WAS DONE. UPDATED06/09/08
NHTSA complaint #10220353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GEO PRISM. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 5 MPH. BECAUSE SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WHERE SOME PREVIOUS ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROAD SHE WAS TRAVELING ON. BUT THE NIGHT OF THIS INCIDENT THE ROAD WAS FAIRLY LEVELED. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE WAS ALREADY STOPPING. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT THAT SHE IS AWARE OF. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES,SUCH AS SEVERE BRUISING, HEAD INJURIES, BUSTED NOSE AND BLACK EYES. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE INSURANCE AGENCY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 96V070000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR. SHE CONTACTED GM MANUFACTURER AND SHE WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS OCCURRED ON AUGUST 30, 2005.
NHTSA complaint #10135125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
REPORTING ON BEHALF OF OUR INSURED. AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HIT POT HOLE. NO FRONTAL IMPACT. INJURY TO DRIVER. AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10093680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
PROBLEMS WITH BLACK AND WHITE SPOTS DEVELOPING ON THE VEHICLE'S HOOD, ROOF AND ON TOP OF THE TRUNK. *MR
NHTSA complaint #10089558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE TECHNICIAN AT THE GARAGE INDICATED THE PROBLEM SHE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER WITH THE RECALL INFORMATION BUT THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10083585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
YOUR WEBSITE STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE: 95 GEO PRIZM FOR AIRBAGS FRONTAL SENSOR CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
NHTSA complaint #10082469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE "ALMOST STALLS." THE LIGHT COMES ON AND A DECREASE IN RPM AND ENGINE HESTITATION OCCURS. LIGHT DID STAY ON FOR 1 HOUR, BUT WHEN DEALER CHECKED THERE WERE NO CODES RECORDED. DEALER CHECKED CAR 2 SEPARATE TIMES WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10043136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE "ALMOST STALLS." THE LIGHT COMES ON AND A DECREASE IN RPM AND ENGINE HESTITATION OCCURS. LIGHT DID STAY ON FOR 1 HOUR, BUT WHEN DEALER CHECKED THERE WERE NO CODES RECORDED. DEALER CHECKED CAR 2 SEPARATE TIMES WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10043136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
CONSUMER STATES THE HARMONIC BALANCER WENT OUT CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THREE RETRACTORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY,ONE ON DRIVER'S SIDE BELT/ BELT RETRACTOR BEHIND DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THE ON ON PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR. SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT, THEY WILL JUST HANG IN PLACE. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8015910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING OVER A HILL FRONT TIRES STARTED TO WOBBLE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSUMER FOUND SCREWS FROM RACK AND PINION STEERING ON THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING OVER A HILL FRONT TIRES STARTED TO WOBBLE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSUMER FOUND SCREWS FROM RACK AND PINION STEERING ON THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKES MAKE HIGH PITCHED SOUNDS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT WORN OUT, THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE 2ND SET OF BRAKES BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT TAKE THE NOISE ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #785684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
BOTH FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED UPON REAR END COLLISION IMPACT-IS THIS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #761383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DRIVERS RESTRAINT DOES NOT LOCKS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
A BEVERAGE WAS SPILLED INTO CONSOLE WHILE DRIVING, AND AN HOUR LATER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT RECALL 96 V 107 000, AND THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE. DRIVER STATED THAT RECALL EXPLAINED EXACT PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT EFFECTED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE BUCKLING DRIVER IN SEAT BEL SEAT BELT BOLT BECAME UNDONE, AND CONSUMER WAS NOT RESTRAINT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8001865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKES MAKE HIGH PITCHED SOUNDS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT WORN OUT, THE CONSUMER CHANGED THE 2ND SET OF BRAKES BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT TAKE THE NOISE ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #785684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #753306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CAR PURCHASED NEW IN 1995(MAY OR JUNE, TOO LAZY TO GO TO THE CAR AND LOOK!) FIRST THE RIGHT REAR SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT ,SO WE PUT THE BABY IN THE MIDDLE OR LEFT REAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE SOME MINOR FLAWS CORRECTED AS WITH MOST NEW CARS(A "PUNCH" LIST). THE SEATBELT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY . SHORTLY THERE AFTER IT DID IT AGAIN. AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THE RIGHT REAR HAS NEVER RETRACTED SINCE. I WAS ABLE TO FREE THE LEFT ONE OCCASIONALLY(2 OR 3) TIMES THEN IT PERMANENTLY LOCKED. WE HAD TO PUT THE CHILD'S SEAT IN THE MIDDLE ; THE BEST PLACE FOR IT .THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHEN THE CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO BUY NEW SEATBELTS AND PAY THE LABOR TO FIX THEM. SCREW THAT! WE JUST TRAVELLED 3 TO THE CAR OR REAR RIDING ADULTS HAD NO SEATBELTS. HAD ANOTHER CHILD IN 1998. BOUGHT A USED VOLVO!! END OF STORY. THANKS! HOYO (PAM'S HUSBAND).
NHTSA complaint #747477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CAR PURCHASED NEW IN 1995(MAY OR JUNE, TOO LAZY TO GO TO THE CAR AND LOOK!) FIRST THE RIGHT REAR SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT ,SO WE PUT THE BABY IN THE MIDDLE OR LEFT REAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE SOME MINOR FLAWS CORRECTED AS WITH MOST NEW CARS(A "PUNCH" LIST). THE SEATBELT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY . SHORTLY THERE AFTER IT DID IT AGAIN. AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. THE RIGHT REAR HAS NEVER RETRACTED SINCE. I WAS ABLE TO FREE THE LEFT ONE OCCASIONALLY(2 OR 3) TIMES THEN IT PERMANENTLY LOCKED. WE HAD TO PUT THE CHILD'S SEAT IN THE MIDDLE ; THE BEST PLACE FOR IT .THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHEN THE CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO BUY NEW SEATBELTS AND PAY THE LABOR TO FIX THEM. SCREW THAT! WE JUST TRAVELLED 3 TO THE CAR OR REAR RIDING ADULTS HAD NO SEATBELTS. HAD ANOTHER CHILD IN 1998. BOUGHT A USED VOLVO!! END OF STORY. THANKS! HOYO (PAM'S HUSBAND).
NHTSA complaint #747477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.