1993 Geo Prizm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1993 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 1993 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.
If liquid IS spilled in the console box area, the air bag warning light can illuminate and stay "on" during normal driving conditions.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This leakage condition could cause the air bag to inadvertently deploy.
Remedy
Dealers will install a protective cover over the air bag sensor to prevent possible malfunction caused by the spilling of liquid substances on the sensor. Air bag sensors damaged by previous liquid spillage will be replaced.
Owner complaints
77 complaints21 involved a crash2 involved a fire19 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 geo prizm. when applying the brakes, the vehicle would travel longer than expected before coming to a complete stop. the failure occurred while driving at any speed. the mechanic stated that the front wheel sensor failed. the contact stated that the ABS light…
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 geo prizm. when applying the brakes, the vehicle would travel longer than expected before coming to a complete stop. the failure occurred while driving at any speed. the mechanic stated that the front wheel sensor failed. the contact stated that the ABS light constantly remained illuminated. the vehicle has not been repaired. the current mileage was 183,000 and failure mileage was 180,000.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
1993 prizm hood unlatched and opened hitting the windshield. *ts *jb
- Steering · Suspension
1993 chevrolet prizm was involved in an accident. *ts the driver stated that the vehicle began to shake and when he applied the brakes to slow down the vehicle turned around and traveled off the roadway and into a ditch. both passengers in the vehicle sustained injuries to their head and back. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
Dt: the contact states there IS a nhtsa recall campaign 96v107000 concerning the air bag sensor control module. this vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, butit IS not included in the recall due to vin. *ak.
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
Purchased a 1993 geo prizm from a private party, before the purchase we noted that the nhtsa described a recall of this vehicle for the air bag sensor module. within a short period of time of our ownership of this car the air bag light came on. when I contacted the chevrolet customer service…
Purchased a 1993 geo prizm from a private party, before the purchase we noted that the nhtsa described a recall of this vehicle for the air bag sensor module. within a short period of time of our ownership of this car the air bag light came on. when I contacted the chevrolet customer service department, I was told that my car does not qualify for the recall repair because my vin number IS not part of the defective series of cars. however, in reviewing the nhtsa website I find that many others experienced the same problem as I have, and in addition, the 1993 toyota corolla, which the geo prizm IS its counterpart, have also had similar problems. what makes chevrolet so sure that my car's air bag sensor module IS not defective? I have not had a reasonable explanation for this problem, other than "my car's vin number does not match." *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving smoke came from under the hood. driver pulled over, and fire department was called. the cause of the fire was unknown. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide leaking into passenger compartment due to cracked exhaust manifold. Replaced cracked manifold two times, the second one lasted 16 months. This IS a safety issue due to the carbon monoxide!! Exhaust repair shops told me that this IS a very common problem with geo…
Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide leaking into passenger compartment due to cracked exhaust manifold. Replaced cracked manifold two times, the second one lasted 16 months. This IS a safety issue due to the carbon monoxide!! Exhaust repair shops told me that this IS a very common problem with geo prizm and toyota corolla models. At over $300 to replace each time, I can not afford to keep replacing. The main concern I have though IS with the carbon monoxide issue. IS this being investigated? *la
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
While driving car home from work I noticed engine noise getting louder. Upon closer inspection the following morning I found that the exhaust manifold was cracked completely into two seperate pieces.also noticed odor from exhaust leaking into pasenger compartment.aparently I am not the only one…
While driving car home from work I noticed engine noise getting louder. Upon closer inspection the following morning I found that the exhaust manifold was cracked completely into two seperate pieces.also noticed odor from exhaust leaking into pasenger compartment.aparently I am not the only one with this problem and would think that exhaust fumes are a large problem for my eighteen month old son.i want to know if anyone has or IS investigating this and what if anything was or will be done about it. *la
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer states while driving the air bag light stay illuminated. ts
- Air bags
When driving 60mph the air bag light stay illuminated. ts
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Dear sir or madam: I own a 1993 geo prizm. twice, I have had the exhaust manifold repaired by a welder because it was cracked and leaking exhaust fumes into the vehicle. despite the welder's best efforts, the manifold keeps developing more cracks. I wanted to replace it with a used manifold.…
Dear sir or madam: I own a 1993 geo prizm. twice, I have had the exhaust manifold repaired by a welder because it was cracked and leaking exhaust fumes into the vehicle. despite the welder's best efforts, the manifold keeps developing more cracks. I wanted to replace it with a used manifold. however, a call to several salvage yards revealed that it's very hard to obtain a good, used manifold for that vehicle. the reason IS that so many of the 1993 prizms that are in salvage yards already have cracked manifolds. it seems to be common among that make and model. shouldn't your organization be concerned with what may be a serious safety issue in these vehicles? I thought so, and that's why I'm writing, today.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer states she hit the back of another vehicle while coming to a stop at a red light, after the incident consumer leaned over the steering wheel to look at the back of the other vehicle to see if there was any damage, after a few seconds of looking, the air bag deployed within three inches of…
Consumer states she hit the back of another vehicle while coming to a stop at a red light, after the incident consumer leaned over the steering wheel to look at the back of the other vehicle to see if there was any damage, after a few seconds of looking, the air bag deployed within three inches of consumers neck, there was no damage done to either vehicle, however consumers air bag deployed about seven seconds after the incident, consumer suffered minor injuries. *Jb
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's restraint does not retract out. dealer has replaced retractor prior to this incident,and problem has reoccurred within 12 months.*ak
- Air bags
Air bag light has come on and stayed on. consumer was informed there was recall 96v107000 on this for this make/model/year of vehicle, however,this vehicle was not included in recall due to vin. sensor in air bag would have to be replaced. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Air bags
Airbag light stays on. there IS a recall on airbags , but this vehicle not included due to vin. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
Recall 96 v 107 000/passive restraint air bag: vehicle experienced a problem with air bag sensor light remaining on during normal driving. dealer/manufacturer notified, and both informed consumer that vehicle was not cover under recall due to vin. *ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Regulators failing, causing power windows to become inoperatives. Dealer notified, and share in half the cost on the 1ST. Incident(driver side); 2ND incident(passenger side); condition reoccur again, and informed to contacted manufacturer. Manufacturer informed consumer that vehicle was out of warranty, and nothing could be done.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
The engine exhaust manifold cracked due to a manufacturer design defect for the second time at the same place. I have owned severeal vehicles during my life and this IS the only one that has had a cracked manifold. the first time it broke it was replaced by the dealer. the second time they refused to replace it because out of warranty. esitmated cost to repair the defective part over $300.00. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Airbag light has been on for a year . consumer IS concerned that airbags will not deploy. *ak
- Structure › Body · Visibility › Windshield
Consumer stated that weird things happened to her vehicle. she was parked inside of a parking lot. when she came out, she noticed that the windshield was smashed in, it was black. also, console was burned out. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
The driver inside door latch broke. occupant cannot open driver's door from the inside of vehicle. please provide further information. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
A crack developed within exhaust manifold at 90,000 miles. *ak
- Child seat
1ST cosco car seat--arm pieces cracked and one of the arms broke off---i called the manufacturer and they reluctantly sent a replacement. This seat had only been used for 1 year...the replacement cosco car seat was used for less than a year and the same thing happened. Both arm pieces cracked…
1ST cosco car seat--arm pieces cracked and one of the arms broke off---i called the manufacturer and they reluctantly sent a replacement. This seat had only been used for 1 year...the replacement cosco car seat was used for less than a year and the same thing happened. Both arm pieces cracked completely and they are metal pieces sticking out of them.. I again contacted cosco via email this time requesting my money back--no was my response and they said they would send replacement pieces to fix the arms...the arms are not fixable!!! I want something done about this---these car seats were 2 different models and still appear new, when the arm pieces had broken. I would like a refund for this product but if nothing else I want their seats checked into for safety...i would appreciate any help you can give me in getting a real resolution to the problem--instead of sorry but to bad!!!! Thank you....
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Intermittently the driver's side seat belt restraint becomes inoperative. the dealer has replaced the restraint prior to the failure. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Turn signal failures
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.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10012558Avoiding oil baffle damage during oil fill process.
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 39293Squeaking or rubbing noise in steering column when turning the steering wheel.
Every Geo Prizm model year
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