1991 Geo Prizm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1991 Geo Prizm. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1991 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.
Lug nuts that retain wheels and wheel covers may have been torqued to lower than recommended specifications.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Insufficient clamping of lug nuts retaining the wheelcover and wheel could result in a loose wheel that could fall off with potentialfor loss of control and an accident.
Remedy
Remove original wheel cover, torque lug to specification, and install full wheel covers that are retained by spring clips.
Owner complaints
46 complaints3 involved a crash3 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 geo prizm. The contact stated that while trying to decelerate, the brake lights failed and were dim. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who informed the contact that he needed to replace the wiring. The vehicle was repaired for the wiring and the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 geo prizm. The contact stated that the plastic used for door knobs disintegrated and were inoperable for the passenger doors. The gear shift also fractured and was difficult to maneuver. The parts had previously been replaced but the failure continued. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 geo prizm. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, carbon monoxide was present because the manifold had been fractured. The vehicle was repaired twice but the failure continued. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
- Tires
1991 geo prism had a tire blow out and she lost control of the vehicle and hit another vehicle, before hitting the median wall. *kb ohio traffic crash report # 10-0738-90.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tires have belt separations and as well air bubbles which caused the tires to blow. When taken to get serviced, shortly after the same thing happened. *nm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
I have had a problem with my vehicles /brakelight burning out after a few days of replacement. Every geo prizm I see on the roads today have the same exact problem. I hate the fear of wondering wether or not they blew while I'm driving my vehicle. Also the risk of getting a ticket for something that IS obviously a manufacture defect. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Jan/01 - discovered cracked exhaust manifold. Was told by salvage yard that this IS a common problem with geos and they can't keep manifolds in stock because of the frequency. new manifold installed to replace cracked one. the new one cracked approx. 1-2 months later.*ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Door handles continuously break off, thus far consumer had to have 3 different door handles replaced.*ak *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Exhuast manifold cracked, causing carbon monoxide fumes to leak into passenger's compartment. dealer has been contacted.*ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Headlights · Exterior lighting › Tail lights · Structure › Body › Door · Suspension › Front · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing · Visibility › Power window devices and controls · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield washer spayers got clogged. Yh
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver side lap safety belt will not latch/ I recently purchased the vehical and I can contact the original owner to find out the exact date of and mileage of failure please let me know if it IS pertinate. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission slips out of gear, and vehicle hesitates and makes loud noises. *ak
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
While driving approximately 20mph heard a sound & was not able to steer vehicle. The wheels would not turn either left or right. It felt like vehicle had a flat. Lost control of vehicle & hit a pole vehicle was totaled. There was a recall #90v191000. However, vehicle IS not covered under recall. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Exhaust manifold cracked-2 places replacement was of different design.
- Exterior lighting › Tail lights
No summary
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Theleft rear seatbelt will not unfasten. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
As I stopped at a gas station and attempted to fill up with gas, my jacket sleeve caught on fire from flames coming out from the tank. the tank never exploded, adn we were able to put the fire out with an extinguisher.
- Structure › Body › Door
Interior door handles broke. qcaw
- Structure › Body › Door
The defective interior passenger's door handle and both rear door handles broke off, making the doors not operable from the inside. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Shoulder belt did not lock during a rearend collision.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Exhaust manifold.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Ehaust fumes in the passenger compartment and noise coming from the engine resulted from a crack in the exhaust manifold.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Upon driving the vehicle there IS a very loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle due to the exhaust manifold which has a crack, consumer has replaced the manifold. Plase provide further details. *ak
- Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Ring gear on differential failed.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Tires
All four tires had to be replaced due to uneven wear, also alternator failed, causing starting problems; foul odor entered vehicle from air conditioner and rear passenger's side interior door latch broke. *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.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Every Geo Prizm model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.