1990 Geo Metro
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1990 Geo Metro. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1990 Geo Metro. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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.
Mislocated attaching spot welds of the hood striker assembly cause cracks to start on the hood inner panel. If cracks occur, the hood striker assembly may not properly engage the hood latch when the hood IS closed.
Risk and remedy
Risk
An improperly engaged hood latch may result in a hoodfly-up while the vehicle IS in motion. This would obstruct the driver's viewand could cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Gm dealers will (a) install two bolts and nuts to secure the striker assembly to the hood inner panel, and (b) ensure that the hood latch assembly fasteners are properly tightened.
Owner complaints
39 complaints5 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Inquiring about whether recall # 95v103007 IS an actual recall .
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
The door latch handles stay up when opened. I have 2 door handles doing this, the front passenger side & rear driver's side. when the doors are openen the handles stay up and when the door IS pulled shut the door will not latch. the window has to be rolled down and the handle pushed down to…
The door latch handles stay up when opened. I have 2 door handles doing this, the front passenger side & rear driver's side. when the doors are openen the handles stay up and when the door IS pulled shut the door will not latch. the window has to be rolled down and the handle pushed down to latch door. note: this IS not a poor lubrication problem. It may improve slightly, but only temprorarily. if the passenger thinks the door IS latched it will open suddenly when the vehicle turns risking fall out of passenger or property or personal injury liability from the door swinging open.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine IS burning oil while driving, and smoke comes out really badly. Driver can't see traffic behind her. Consumer feels unsafe. *ak
- Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
While vehicle was being driven at 75 mph, latch on the hood on driver's side broke, causing the hood to fly up and break windshield. driver was able to pull to shoulder safely. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. hood and windshield have not been replaced. Consumer believes that there was a recall on the hood latch years ago, but IS unsure as to whether or not it was done. *ak *ML
- Exterior lighting › Headlights · Interior lighting
The headlights and dash lights went out while driving. The dash lights came back on but the headlights did not. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Hood latch striker broke after two years. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Dealer has not honored nhtsa recall 95v-103.007/manufacturer's recall 91c-52, concening seat belt buckle failure since august 10, 1997 up to the present. Consumer has been told on serveral occasions that the kit has not been received, or they would contact consumer when it arrived, need nhtsa's help in this matter. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
It's been 1 month since contacting the dealer concerning hood latch assembly recall. Hood latch IS broken so badly that the entire hood needs to be replaced. The dealer IS giving me the run around. I've called them 3 times already this week. The dealer IS saying that they need approval to repair it…
It's been 1 month since contacting the dealer concerning hood latch assembly recall. Hood latch IS broken so badly that the entire hood needs to be replaced. The dealer IS giving me the run around. I've called them 3 times already this week. The dealer IS saying that they need approval to repair it and that the main office IS checking to see if recall IS still in effect. I've been having to drive my car for a month fearing that the hood will fly up and cause an accident. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Excessive co emmissions. A tsb was issued on this problem.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belt recall repairs refused.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
While driving 60 mph, the hood latch released, causing the hood to go in the upright position which caused no visibility and a broken windshield. *ak *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Received notice (395v10300). Called dealer & set up an appointment. Took vehicle in. Dealer had vehicle for over 2 hours before informing owner they had no parts for vehicle. Would have to get parts from another dealership, if they have any. not satisfied. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The driver's side seat belt doesn't restrain the driver. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Structure of the hood assembly latch recall number 93v189001, consumer had the work corrected in aprilof 95 and on feb 27, 1997 when operating the vehicle the hood flew up. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
Head rest failed to provide proper support in accident, causing head injury.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Hood latch broke, causing hood to open while driving, prior to recall.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
During a frontal impact accident at 25 mph, front seat belt failure was experienced. The seat belts did not lock in place upon impact.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv) · Interior lighting · Visibility › Glass, side/rear · Visibility › Windshield
Front passenger window stuck. *Dh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Oil plug loosened, causing oil to leak out.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
Seat belt retractor failed. *Sd
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belt attached to door, causing driver to be ejected from car when door opened during accident, causing injury. *Dh
- Steering › Rack and pinion › Rack
Steering rack failed. *Dh
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
During rear end collision, while stopping,, drivers' seatback rest broke, then collapsed rearward, resulting in an injury. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Consumer side seat belt doesn't restrain. Please describe. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Experiencd outside door lock malfunction, rendering doors inoperative from outside when all doors won't open with key. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seat belt buckles failure
There is no summary currently available
- Takata seat blt bckls fail
There is no summary currently available
- Hood fly-ups
There is no summary currently available
- Rear suspension fails
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 43020Unknown
- 37961The administrator of the us environmental protection agency (epa) and general motors have determined that certain 1990 geo metro vehicles with 1.0L engines may exceed high altitude carbon monoxide federal emission standards. This condition applies to vehicles registered in colorado, nevada new mexico and utah (vehicles which have moved to thes states from california which are equipped with rpo YF5 do not require this campaign repair). These standards were established to protect the the public health and welfare from dangers of air pollution. Excess emission of pollutants may cause a vehicle to fail state mandated emission tests. To correct this condition, vehicles registered in the four affected states will have a redesigned oxygen sensor installed.
- 37830Message to dealers correcting incorrect information contained in manufacturer recall 90c51.
- 37827Message announcing manufacturer recall 90c51.
- 37826Message announcing manufacturer recall 90c51.
Every Geo Metro model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.