1997 Geo Metro
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1997 Geo Metro. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1997 Geo Metro. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
63 complaints13 involved a crash2 involved a fire12 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train · Tires › Tread/belt
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…
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
- Engine 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…
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
- Unknown or other
The consumer noticed a wheel had come off the right side of a tractor trailer while driving on the highway, the wheel subsequently hit the drivers side of the consumers vehicle. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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
- Structure › Body › Trunk lid · Wheels › Hub
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Stalling problems. while driving engine will stop running. Manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recalls.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Front driver seat air bag did not deploy. *jb
- Unknown 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
- Air bags › Frontal
The vehicle was in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. *jb
- Air bags › Frontal
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags did not deploy, consumer was injured.*jb
- Power train › Manual transmission
Brought car july 11, 2000-dec. 20,2000-Transmission replaced-aug. 23, 2002 through sept. 30, 2002-service engine light still on crank sensor seal o-ring replaced, burning oil, has a shake to it when driving and slowing down, and all this happened in the last two years. mr
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
The vehicle was parked, the emergency brake was engaged, vehicle rolled, jumped a parking block, uprooted a fence, the top of the fence hit the windhsield causing it to crack, the fence went up over the vehicle causing damage from the front, to the back. I have the estimate from the body shop that it was taken to. I also have witnesses that saw that the parking brake was engaged.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights · Parking brake › Conventional · Structure › Body · Suspension · Unknown or other · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
While the vehicle was parked, it started to roll back with the vehicle being turned off, and the emergency brake up. contacted dealer. *ak the vehicle jumped a parking block and hit a fence, which hit the windshield, cracking it. The vehicle went under the fence and the fence scratched the…
While the vehicle was parked, it started to roll back with the vehicle being turned off, and the emergency brake up. contacted dealer. *ak the vehicle jumped a parking block and hit a fence, which hit the windshield, cracking it. The vehicle went under the fence and the fence scratched the vehicle from the front to the back. it damaged the front bumper, front lights, hood, fender, vent screen, left wiper arm, right to left wipers, lift gate, rear lights, and possible suspension damage. the total estimate IS 3026.15. *scc
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle was involved in a collision with a deer, and neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer have not been notified at this time.*ak *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline
At 35-40mph and with no warning, engine stalled, could have caused an accident. Dealer notified. *ak consumer found that the problem was with the connector at the fuel injector, the connectors contact had slightly opened, consumer closed some of the contacts and now the engine runs well. *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's seatbelt will not retract. Has been this way since purchase, taken to dealer 3 times for repair. Was told there IS no remedy.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle was going 70mph and both front airbags deployed without any type of impact. consumer and passenger received minor burns, but no injuries from airbags. consumer will add vin to form.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When pulling out or traveling at low speeds engine will stall. this defect typically occurs during warm to hot weather on a frequent basis. dealership informed consumer that vehicle IS not being driven enough, and that gas could have been contaminated .*ak consumer states throttle and…
When pulling out or traveling at low speeds engine will stall. this defect typically occurs during warm to hot weather on a frequent basis. dealership informed consumer that vehicle IS not being driven enough, and that gas could have been contaminated .*ak consumer states throttle and distribution cap were sprayed and fuel injection cleaner was used frequently, consumer also states a new air filter was put in. *jb
- Tires
As consumer was inspecting firestone (tuwsps 15580r13) tires, consumer noticed one of the tires had spikes over an inch long all around the inside and the color around the perimeter IS brown/rust not black. *jb
- Visibility › Windshield
Window on driver's side failed to up & down properly. Interferes with door regulator. Door would jam. Window tilts forward. Has happened four times. Been to dealer and repaired under warranty first time. Warranty ran ou. Took vehicle to an independent mechanic for repairs. Each time repaired problem would reappear. passenger side window does not come down.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
After the lever IS released from park and put into reverse to backup the automatic transmission can easily slide into neutral and slide into drive without ever having to touch the button. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Vehicle stalls when starting from a complete stop. vehicle sometimes does not start. sometimes goes away for a couple of days, then comes back. Contacted dealer, and dealer tuned up vehicle to fix problem. But, problem still occurs. *Ak the manufacturer had agreed to replace the fuel injection harness free of charge. *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission
The timing chain failed prematurely. nlm
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
When placing vehicle in park shift gear will not stay in park position. This could cause vehicle to roll freely. also, vehicle will not disengage out of park position. Consumer also, recall 98v225001/manufacturer's recall 98052 does not include this vehicle due to vin. *ak a diagnosis determind that the shifter cable was damaged due to gear shift malfunctions. *yh
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and heard a snapping noise. front wheel broke, and vehicle rolled three times and landed on roof upside down, and airbags didn't deploy. there were no injuries. *Ak
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.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10171318This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10166638This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10157018This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10154641This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10138060This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10137901This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
- 10114947This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10114924This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10113443This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10082506This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient temperature areas due to calibration concerns.
- 615110Product recall campaign for vehicles exhibiting a condition whereby the automatic transaxle 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.*tt
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
Every Geo Metro model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.