FaultScore

GEO Prizm suspension problems

36 of the 795 complaints filed about the GEO Prizm are about the suspension — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1991.

36

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

7

Crashes

0

Fires

Suspension complaints by model year

1990 Prizm 5 13.9%
1991 Prizm 6 16.7%
1992 Prizm 1 2.8%
1993 Prizm 3 8.3%
1994 Prizm 6 16.7%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

1995 Prizm 6 16.7%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

1996 Prizm 3 8.3%

Median failure at 55,140 miles

1997 Prizm 3 8.3%

Median failure at 167,000 miles

1998 Prizm 1 2.8%
1999 Prizm 1 2.8%
2001 Prizm 1 2.8%

What owners said

1996 GEO Prizm at 55,140 miles ST Augustine, FL

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GEO PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES PER DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, AT 40,000 MILES, THE TIRES BECAME WORN OUT WITHIN 10,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,140.

NHTSA complaint #10882689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 GEO Prizm at 150,000 miles Miamisburg, OH Crash

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.

1997 GEO Prizm at 167,000 miles Hudson, NM

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT CONNECTING TO THEIR APPROPRIATE BUCKLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA complaint #10417921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 GEO Prizm Chicago, IL Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION

1993 CHEVROLET PRIZM WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TS THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE TURNED AROUND AND TRAVELED OFF THE ROADWAY AND INTO A DITCH. BOTH PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THEIR HEAD AND BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10166960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 GEO Prizm at 120,000 miles Westfield, MA Crash 1 injured

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 30 MPH AROUND A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND CURVE, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME SQUIRRELLY AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY BROKE FREE OF THE CAR WHICH CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE VEER TO THE RIGHT DIRECTLY INTO A UTILITY POLE. VISUAL EVALUATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND REMAINING SPINDLE SHAFT COMPONENTS REVEALED THAT THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING LOOSENED/FAILED AND WHEN WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOBBLED THE SPINDLE SHAFT SHEARED AT THE OUTER BEARING'S INNER RACE SHOULDER (I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES).*AK MY DAUGHTER (OWNER & OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE) WAS INJURED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF CONTACT WITH THE UTILITY POLE. HER INJURIES INCLUDED A FRACTURED RIGHT FOREARM, LACERATIONS, FACIAL BURNS FROM CONTACT WITH THE AIR BAG AND BRUISING FROM THE SEATBELT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND HAS SINCE BEEN JUNKED. IT HAD APPROX. 120,000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA complaint #10093050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 GEO Prizm Milwaukee, WI Crash

SUSPENSION:REAR

THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE CAR THE RIGHT WAY . AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #758421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 GEO Prizm Pleasant Grove, UT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT COMPLETELY DRY. DEALER REPLACED. STILL CREAKING WHEN GO OVER BUMPS OR REVERSE AND TURN WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #747675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 GEO Prizm Middletown, RI Crash

SUSPENSION:REAR

ON JUNE 4TH, 2001 VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, CAUSING IT TO RUN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD JUST SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN TO 2 TO 5 MPH. BODY SHOP IS IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER. *AK INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT UNDERTAKE AN EXAMINATION AS IT WOULD NOT BE COST EFFECTIVE. IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER LUBED THE SWITCH. EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED. BATTERY REPLACED. STARTER REPLACED. TIMING BELT REPLACED. RADIATOR REPLACED. BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS TURNED TWICE, BRAKE SPRING KIT INSTALLED. ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS CORRODED AXLE WHOSE COVER HAS BEEN DESTROYED, NEEDS REPLACED. *SCL

NHTSA complaint #889820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 GEO Prizm Moscow Mills, MO

SUSPENSION:REAR

STRUTS CAUSE TIRE TO FAIL AND ROAD HANDLING IN DRY OR RAIN ,RAIN IS WORSE( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P175/65R14 )

NHTSA complaint #730937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 GEO Prizm Austin, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 GEO Prizm 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.

1991 GEO Prizm Austin, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT

MISALIGNMENT OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES. YH

NHTSA complaint #782010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 GEO Prizm Boulder, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

WHEEL BEARING FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #784717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 GEO Prizm Boulder, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

WHEEL BEARING FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #784717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 GEO Prizm Sandusky, OH

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

REAR WHEELS HAVE TILTED TOO FAR INWARD, AND CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROCK WHEN MAKING A TURN. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REA RWHEELS DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATION.

NHTSA complaint #863199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 GEO Prizm Arlington, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WHEN DRIVING OVER 55 MPH WHEELS WILL START TO SHAKE AND SWERVE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER HAS DONE FRONT END ALIGNMENT 4 TIMES, ROTATED, AND BALANCED TIRES. ALSO, CONSUMER HAS BOUGHT NEW TIRES, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #860863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 GEO Prizm Kincheloe, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING AN ICEBALL, VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE, CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING, THERE WAS NO STABILIZER BAR MADE FOR 1994 MODEL, THEY WERE ONLY MADE FOR NEWER MODELS. CONSUMER DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA complaint #859616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 GEO Prizm LOS Angele, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

VEHICLE NEEDED ALIGMENT. YH

NHTSA complaint #549763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 GEO Prizm Truman, AR

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 25MPH & WOULD BE TURNING CORNERS OR CURBS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JUST GO OUT. WOULD HAVE NO STEERING CONTROL. FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON ICE. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN. BEEN TO DEALER 3-4 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. MECHANICE REPLACED THE STEERING SENSORS AT LEAST 4 TIMES. ALSO HAD THE STEERING PUMP REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #851096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 GEO Prizm Hesperia, CA Crash

SUSPENSION:REAR

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT FORWARD,AT 70 MPH, ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT. I COUNTER STEERED AND THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE LEFT, SO I COUNTER STEERED AGAIN. THEN, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SPIN AND ENDED UP ON THE CENTER DIVIDER. WHEN I CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTERWARDS, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, RIM, BRAKE DRUM AND BEARING WERE GONE. THEY WERE NOT NEAR THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND THE SPINDLE WAS CLEANLY BROKEN IN HALF.

NHTSA complaint #705555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GEO Prizm problems