Model year record

1991 Geo Prizm recalls & problems

The 1991 Geo Prizm has 2 safety recalls and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (14 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints46filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionFeb 11, 2010

Suspension

Recall 10E00200012,657 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

WheelsNov 9, 1990

Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 90V191000654 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: REMOVE ORIGINAL WHEEL COVER, TORQUE LUG TO SPECIFICATION, AND INSTALL FULL WHEEL COVERS THAT ARE RETAINED BY SPRING CLIPS.

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.

Fuel economy

Prizm

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Prizm

24mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Prizm

24mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

Prizm

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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*
StructureBody › Door	14	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Exhaust system	11	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; 12v/24v/48v battery	8	0	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Webbing	6	1	0	2	—
Exterior lightingTail lights; Headlights	6	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Wheel bearing	6	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch; Doors › Latch	4	0	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield wiper/washer	4	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Delivery	3	0	2	0	—
TiresTread/belt	3	1	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	3	0	0	0	—
Power trainDriveline › Differential unit; Automatic transmission	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

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.
Dec 13, 2009 · 170,000 miles
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.
Nov 1, 1997 · 190,000 miles
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.
Oct 17, 2010 · 190,000 miles
TiresCrash
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.
Aug 16, 2009
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. *NM
Jan 1, 2005
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. *AK
Oct 1, 1998
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.*AK
Feb 14, 2001
Structure › Body › Door
DOOR HANDLES CONTINUOUSLY BREAK OFF, THUS FAR CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT DOOR HANDLES REPLACED.*AK *JB
Mar 21, 2001

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.