Model year record

1991 Geo Storm recalls & problems

The 1991 Geo Storm has 2 safety recalls and 90 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (21 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints90filed by owners

Crashes · fires19 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths16 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V103007466,902 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Air bagsJul 6, 1992

Air bags

Recall 92V091001211,306 vehicles

Problem: THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Risk: FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Fix: A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.

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

1991 Geo Storm 2-DR. HB.

OverallNot 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

Storm

28mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Storm

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Storm

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Storm

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/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*
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	21	6	1	3	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	20	0	0	1	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	17	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	16	15	0	11	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly	13	4	0	2	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Buckle assembly	6	2	0	1	—
StructureBody › Hood; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	3	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Head restraint	3	3	0	4	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch; Doors › Latch	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system; Fuel injection system	2	1	0	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element	1	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO STORM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Jan 10, 2006 · 40,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
7 MONTHS AND 5 REPLACEMENT ECUS ON MY 1991 GEO STORM GSI, AND STILL HAS DANGEROUS ISSUES OF STALLING ON HIGHWAY AND WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM IS THAT BETWEEN 1985 AND 1995, AC DELCO USED A INSULATIVE SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS IN THESE ECUS/COMPUTERS WHICH SHRINKS OVER TIME WHEN EXPOSED TO WARM AND COOL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, SUCH AS THE NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT AN AUTOMOBILE IS SUBJECTED TO. THE SHRINKING INSULATIVE SPRAY CONTRACTS AND PULLS THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD, BREAKING SOLDER CONNECTIONS AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS FAULT ARE MOST NOTABLY ERRATIC IDLE, IDLE REVVING AND DROPPING, IDLE DIPPING OFTEN WITH ENGINE DYING, IDLE HANGING…
Jan 5, 2008 · 100 miles
Electrical system
1992 GEO STORM MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT ( SUMMER MONTHS ) ENGINE IDLE INCREASES TO 2,500 - 3,500 RPM. MUST USE FOOT TO PULL UP ON ACCELARATOR. CAR BEGINS TO OVERHEAT LURCHES FORWARD. CAR ALSO STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. HEARD IT HAS TO DO WITH FAULTY ECM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB
Jun 14, 2001 · 86,000 miles
Unknown or other
THE E.C.U. IS BAD IN MY 1991 GEO STORM 2+2. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *LA
Sep 1, 2003
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND ROTOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
Mar 15, 2003
Vehicle speed control › Linkages
DURING WARM WEATHER THE VEHICLE'S THROTTLE WILL STICK AT 2000. THROUGH MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE THE FAULT OF THE ECU. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO HAVE YOUR THROTTLE STICK. DT
Jan 1, 1996
Vehicle speed control
VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LURCH FORWARD WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
May 5, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING / CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
May 5, 2002

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

NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN LOOSENINGClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE95035 · opened Jun 7, 1995 · closed Oct 10, 1995
SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILUREClosedLed to recall 95V103007
There is no summary currently available
EA95014 · opened Apr 25, 1995 · closed Jul 28, 1995