1998 Geo Metro
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1998 Geo Metro. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
33 complaints5 involved a crash6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The headlights do not aim correctly. after a few frustrating attempts to adjust my headlights I realized they entire assembly raises up at high speeds and needs to be manually manipulated (kicked) back in to place where it remains until the next trip which requires speeds above 55 mph. the…
The headlights do not aim correctly. after a few frustrating attempts to adjust my headlights I realized they entire assembly raises up at high speeds and needs to be manually manipulated (kicked) back in to place where it remains until the next trip which requires speeds above 55 mph. the headlight assembly IS secured by a screw and a hard plastic nipple in the headlight assembly which IS wedged into a rubber grommet mounted on the chassis. I believe that this rubber grommet stretches, hardens or dry rots over time weakening its effectiveness. during my 45 minute drive each morning pass another chevrolet metro with its right headlight pointing high and to the right as it passes me which IS exactly what mine does. while driving at night I have noticed that every metro I see has headlight alignment problems which are to the extreme. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling
This problem exists every time the car IS driven. After driving the car with various drive times, stopping and allowing the car to sit for approx 25-30 mins then trying to drive the car again it stalls out and dies in 2-7 of driving. In most case the car has died in the middle of intersections and…
This problem exists every time the car IS driven. After driving the car with various drive times, stopping and allowing the car to sit for approx 25-30 mins then trying to drive the car again it stalls out and dies in 2-7 of driving. In most case the car has died in the middle of intersections and on the freeway. It usually take 1-2 minutes to restart it before it will run. The car has been to the dealership numerous times since september '03 and on the last trip to the dealer, they now acknowledge that there IS a problem and have not been able to find what IS causing it. My car has now been there for two weeks, and they still have it. They replaced the map sensor, but it has not fixed the problem. I am afraid of causing an accident if my car were to stall and die in traffic. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While driving 15-18 mph, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle hit a street pole. the consumer/passenger sustained minor injuries. *ak *sc *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The brakes on my metro has been fixed 5 times since I bought it, I bought it brand new. 5 times in 5 years. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The vehicle made a grinding and chattering noise upon acceleration. the consumer took the vehicle to chevrolet and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. *nlm
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
The heater emitted a smell when it was on.*jb
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Interior fan will not work due to heater a/c control failure. because of this, the defogging system will not work, and since metro hatchbacks are extremely prone to fogging, the car IS not safe to drive in the mornings or evenings. rolling down the windows does not help this problem. we also own a 1992 metro which had the same component fail (see separate report).
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
Windshield wipers work intermittently, washer failed, windshield wiper handle switch fell off. Vehicle taken to dealer, dealer found handle switch had cracked well into the steering column. *Ak *tt
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Car was parked, transmission failed, car went backwards and hit other vehicle.*ak
- Parking brake › Conventional
Parking brake IS defective. Consumer hears a clicking noise when he engages parking brake, and feels that brakes may not hold vehicle while parked on a slope. *note: consumer owned a 1994, geo, metro that rolled backwards while parked on a slope. consumer stated that both brake mechanisms were identical. please provide additional information/attachments. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Car under warranty 12,000 mi. Water in both doors growing mold and in air vents. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield
While driving about 20 mph rear windshield shattered and broke off, dropping glass every where.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
Intermittently when letting up on gas pedal motor and speed will increase . It has even increased on its own. Dealer has replaced accelerator pedal sensor, but defect still occurs. Consumer has been complaining about defect for over a year. *ak now there IS spntaneous increase and decrease in speed continuously for 7-8 miles. *yh
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Rear and side collision I was thrown from drivers seat to rear of vehicle while wearing my seat belt. My seat belt twisted and allowed my body to be ejected to the interior rear of my car. *ak
- Tires
The goodyear invicta GL 155-80-13 tires on the vehicle required replacement, vehicle experienced a flat tire on one, tire had a fist sized bubble on the sidewall, inspection showed remaining tires were also defective, consumer requesting reimbursement due to defect tires. *mjs
- Air bags · Air bags › Side/window · Seats
Consumer was involved in a side impact, forced into into another vehicle head-on at speed of 40 mph. Upon impact, neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. also, driver's side seat broke in the reclining position, causing injuries to driver's side occupant. vehicle was totaled.*ak *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine stalls when changing gears dealer unable to diagnose problem. nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Consumer concerned because there IS one more inch of brake pedal travel after the brake booster was replaced, there IS also a spongy effect when pushing down on the broke, consumer believes this happens because the booster was put on without adjusting the clevis rod or brake pedal. nlm
- Steering
Vehicle's steering IS extremely difficult and excessive effort required. *Mjs
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When shifting and or applying the brakes the vehicle will stall out and die. dealer has inspected the vehicle several times, and has not been able to correct the problem. manufacturer has been notified. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Brake vacuum power booster failed causing the vehicle to not stop intermittently. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle unexpectedly stall out and died without warning. dealer has not been able to correct the problem. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving at 50 mph traffic came to a stop, and consumer rear ended someone. Upon impact, passenger's side airbag deployed, but driver's side did not. *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
- 6092333Some customers may comment that the black plastic housing around the outside rear view mirror turns chalky or IS dull in color.
Every Geo Metro model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.