1996 Geo Metro recalls & problems
The 1996 Geo Metro has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 88 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (29 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints88filed by owners
Crashes · fires27 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths22 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Geo Metro.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1996 Geo Metro 4-DR.
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Metro
40mpg combined
| City / highway | 37 / 44 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1 L · 3 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $1,700/year to fuel
Metro
35mpg combined
| City / highway | 33 / 39 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $1,900/year to fuel
Metro
28mpg combined
| City / highway | 26 / 31 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags Frontal | 29 | — |
| Electrical system Ignition; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers | 14 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Cooling system; Engine | 10 | — |
| Seats Front assembly › Recliner | 9 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 7 | — |
| Visibility Windshield wiper/washer; Glass, side/rear | 6 | — |
| Tires Tread/belt | 6 | — |
| Power train Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines; Manual transmission | 5 | — |
| Exterior lighting Brake lights; Headlights | 5 | — |
| Suspension Front | 4 | — |
| Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor | 4 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cruise control | 4 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Feb 25, 2009 · 175,000 milesLatches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GEO METRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REAR DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM NEITHER THE INTERIOR NOR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE HER VEHICLE LISTED IN THE DATABASE AND COULD PROVIDE NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN - Feb 21, 2009 · 141,685 milesStructure › Frame and members
I PURCHASED A 1996 GEO METRO SEDAN FROM A FRIEND AND I HAD DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARMS AND BROKE THE AXEL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO SEE THIS IN OTHER METROS. I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND IF THERE WAS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BECAUSE NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR. IF YOU COULD CONTACT ME THAT WOULD BE GREAT. *TR - Aug 22, 2007 · 116,000 milesStructure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING INTO A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. LOST STEERING AND CAR CAME TO IMMEDIATE STOP. THE RIGHT FRONT FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND DROPPED CAR ONTO THE ASSEMBLY FOR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUSING IT TO BREAK AND ALLOWING THE TIRE TO TURN OUTWARDS AND STOP THE CAR. THERE IS NO REPAIR TO THIS, THE CAR WILL BE JUNKED. IF SHE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS REALLY SURPRISED US AS THE CAR HAD ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE SURFACES THAT WE COULD SEE. WHEN THE GARAGE HAD THE CAR UP ON THE RACK TO SHOW ME THE PROBLEM I COULD SEE QUITE A BIT OF RUSTING ON ALL THE FRONT COMPONENTS, BUT NONE ON THE REAR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE… - Jan 1, 1901Structure › Frame and members
1996 GEO METRO FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TS *JB - Jun 14, 2006Tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND AIR COMING OUT BETWEEN THE VALVE STEM AND THE TIRE. AFTER TEN DAYS, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND AIR COMING OUT IN THE SAME AREA. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THESE INCIDENTS. THE PROPER PRESSURE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNKNOWN AND PRESSURE CHECKS WERE NOT PERFORMED. THERE WAS ALSO NO VIBRATION BEFORE THE INCIDENT. HE BRAND NAME OF THE TIRE IS TURISMO TWO. - Sep 12, 2005 · crashEngine and engine cooling
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A CRANK SHAFT PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. AFTER HEARING A NOISE IN THE ENGINE, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT A BELT BROKE. THE BELT WAS REPLACED, AND A WEEK LATER SHE HEARD ANOTHER NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. AFTER THE CRASH THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER BEING INSPECTED THE BOLT CAME LOOSE IN THE CRANK SHAFT. THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF POWER. SHE COULD HAVE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GET UP TO SPEED. ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD HER IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT. SHE HAS NOT MADE ANY… - Jan 28, 2005 · 115,000 milesElectrical system
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY WIFE'S CAR, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, HAVE BECOME ALMOST OPAQUE. AFTER HAVING THE LIGHTS REPAIRED AT SUBSTANTIAL COST I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO UV EXPOSURE AND THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT ALL MAKES. APPARENTLY SOME MANUFACTURERS PRODUCE LIGHTS THAT CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AFTER EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT. SOME DO NOT. I FEEL THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. IT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIGHT OUTPUT AND IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES LOOKING ABOUT ANY PARKING LOT TO REALIZE THAT MOST GO UNCORRECTED. WHY CAN'T ALL MANUFACTURERS USE HEADLIGHTS THAT DO NOT TURN YELLOW? - Feb 15, 2005Suspension › Front
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FRAME. THERE WAS SO MUCH LIQUID THAT THE FRAME HOLDING THE WHEEL RUSTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF.*AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.