Model year record

1992 Geo Prizm recalls & problems

The 1992 Geo Prizm has 1 safety recall and 50 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (18 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints50filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported 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.

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

26mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Prizm

24mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Exhaust system › Emission control	18	3	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members › Underbody shields	17	0	0	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Horn	8	3	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly	5	1	1	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor	5	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	5	2	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	5	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	2	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTail lights	1	0	0	—
Interior lighting	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Child seat
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 GEO PRIZM AND A 2008 DOREL JUVENILE GROUP SAFETY 1ST RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22147-MDR. THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 13, 2008. WHILE THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED IN THE REAR-FACING CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT, THE RESTRAINT BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE AND ENABLED THE CHILD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE HARNESS BUCKLE; HOWEVER, THE HARNESS STRAPS AND CHILD WERE PULLED OUT OF THE RESTRAINT SEAT WITH A STRUGGLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.
Oct 31, 2008
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS/ PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Dec 9, 2004
Vehicle speed controlCrash
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…
May 1, 1999
Tires › Valve
VALVE STEM LEAKS CAUSED THE 3 OF 4 MICHELIN TIRES TO GO FLAT THE DAY AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED. NLM
Nov 25, 2000
Structure › Body › Door
3 OUT OF 4 DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN WHERE PLASTIC HOUSING IS LOCATED, CAUSING DOOR HANDLES TO BE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER WILL HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW TO USE OUT DOOR HANLDE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK
Oct 10, 2000
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
NO SUMMARY
Oct 1, 1999
Structure › Body › Door
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF. ALSO, FRONT WINDSHIELD DOES NOT BECOME CLEAN IN FOG.*AK
Jul 11, 2000
Power train › Automatic transmission
I WAS ON MY WAY TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR. MY FATHER HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A PLACE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE CHECKED. THEY PUT A TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT WAS RUNNING PRETTY GOOD BUT AFTER A WEEK OR SO THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES. MY DAD TOOK MY CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ON HIS WAY HOME ,THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS JUST PUT IN THE CAR LOCKED UP ON HIM. I DID NOT FILL OUT THE DEALER INFORMATION BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE OWNER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER…
Jan 15, 2000

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