The 1997 Geo Metro has 1 safety recall and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (17 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints63filed by owners
Crashes · fires13 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.
Risk: IF THE SHIFT LEVER WERE TO COME OUT OF "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.
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
1997 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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
17
0
1
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
11
1
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
8
1
2
1
—
Air bags Frontal
8
7
0
3
—
Visibility Windshield; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
6
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Storage › Tank assembly
5
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Linkages; Accelerator pedal
4
1
0
1
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner
4
2
0
6
—
Structure Body › Bumpers; Body
4
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Macpherson strut; Front › Stabilizer bar
3
0
0
0
—
Tires Tread/belt
3
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage; Front › Retractor
3
1
0
2
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 1, 2005Engine and engine cooling › Engine THE CONSUMER SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN FROM 65 MPH AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC THEN LOOSENED O RINGS TO STOP THE NOISE AND STALLING, BUT THE NOISE AND THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE STALLING OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP FOR ANY REASON. *AK *SC
May 7, 2004Power train ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, THE OIL SWITCH WAS BAD, AND THE PCV VALVE WAS BAD. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHEED THE 25 MPH MARK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. *TC
Nov 3, 2004 · 19,850 miles · crash · 1 injuryService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip CONSUMER WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT OWNER AND WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
Jan 10, 2004 · 42,000 milesStructure › Body › Trunk lid I HELPED MY MOTHER IN LAW PURCHASE A NEW 1997 GEO METRO FROM A DEALER IN 1997. I AM DISSATIFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT JOB. THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO ALSO BE HAPPENING ON THE HOOD. IN ADDITION THE CHROME PAINT HAS WORN OFF THE WHEEL COVERS LAST YEAR. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR, WASHING , WAXING ETC AS WE HAVE ALL OUR OTHER VEHICLES SO I DON'T BELIEVE IMPROPER MAINTENACE IS THE CAUSE. IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Jun 4, 2003Engine and engine cooling › Engine STALLING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS.*AK
Apr 5, 2000 · 10 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal FRONT DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
Mar 1, 2003Unknown or other CIGARETTE LIGHTER WHEN PRESSED IN WILL HURL OUTWARD INTO THE CAR WHEN IT IS HOT. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY UNLESS YOU HOLD ONTO THE LIGHTER. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS DEFECT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT USED AT A DEALERSHIP, IN 2/ 1999 THE INCIDENT DATE WAS CHOSEN AT RANDOM. *JB
Feb 27, 2003 · 147,000 miles · crashAir bags › Frontal THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.