1990 Geo Prizm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1990 Geo Prizm. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1990 Geo Prizm. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
37 complaints5 involved a crash1 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Dt*: the contact stated the driver's side seat belt will not retract. this occurs every time the seat belt IS used. the vehicle was not involved in any accidents that would have caused this failure. the manufacturer and dealer were contacted; the seat belt could no longer be replaced due to the…
Dt*: the contact stated the driver's side seat belt will not retract. this occurs every time the seat belt IS used. the vehicle was not involved in any accidents that would have caused this failure. the manufacturer and dealer were contacted; the seat belt could no longer be replaced due to the availability of the parts. there are no after market parts available. when the consumer did find a part, no one was willing to install the lap belt for fear of liability. Updated 05/30/06. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Tires
General tires upc 20111g165-80r18, size 165-80-13. Consumer purchased tires on 02/29/96. While driving and without warning, tires fell apart. Wires/ rubber came out. Damage done to front of the vehicle. manufacturer contacted, and could not remedy the problem. Consumer replaced tires at own expense. Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Power train › Automatic transmission · Structure › Body › Door · Structure › Frame and members · Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut · Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
Transmission fell out due to corrosion of the bolts.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
None
- Seat belts › Front
Seat belts come apart.
- Suspension
Door handles malfunctioned. gear shift will not move. rear struts we worn in less than 1 year after purchase. dealer refused to stand by warranty.
- Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint
Cv joints were defective when vehicle started to make noise. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving vehicle lurched into a stop. The wheels locked up. mechanic informed owner that the transmission locked up. manufacturer has been notified. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Suspension › Rear
Engine failed.
- Structure › Body › Door
All of the interior door handle in vehicle have broken.
- Power train › Manual transmission
Vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, like slamming on the brakes. after the second instance, the vehicle will starts but will not move.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator failed three times. *ak
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
Rear hatch hydraulic units failed to support hatch when lifted. Please describe details. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Plastic cover female portion which holds buckle in place has detached from seat belt, rendering passenger side seat belt inoperative.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Lock · Structure › Body › Door
Failure on the passenger side door handle, the passenger side door will not open from the inside.*ak
- Electrical system › Starter assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
Replaced torque converter twice. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt buckle plastic latch plate broke. *Dh
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
When driving with headlights on, the right brake light does not come on. Please describe details. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes vibrated when applied at speeds above 40 mph. *Dsh
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Rear window brake light, continues to fail, after replacement of 6 times. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Failure ofthe brake unit, when you apply force to the brake, the vehicle shakes. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield
Headlight glare from oncoming traffic reflects in windshield, blinding driver. *Sd
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
When driving and parked car the hood latch came loose . tt
- Exterior lighting · Exterior lighting › Brake lights
The car set on fire from a short in light rear bulb. tt *jb
Every Geo Prizm model year
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