1994 Geo Prizm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1994 Geo Prizm. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1994 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.
The front seat belt buckle anchor straps were not properly heat treated. In the event of an accident, the seat belt buckle can separate from the anchor strap. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the seat belt buckle separates from the anchor strapin a sudden stop or accident, the seat occupant IS exposed to increased risk ofpersonal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the buckle assembly anchor straps and replace those with suspect date codes "52733d 032" or "52733d 042".
Owner complaints
134 complaints39 involved a crash7 involved a fire39 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Body
My hood blow off the car at 35/40 mph -- there IS nothing left of the hood release or the hood hinges my hood was there but also feel off - *tr
- Air bags › Frontal
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 geo prizm. on february 19, 2009, the driver's side air bag deployed while the contact was turning the vehicle. she suffered second degree burns on her neck, chest, and face. in addition, her nose and finger were swollen. the failure occurred without warning. the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 geo prizm. on february 19, 2009, the driver's side air bag deployed while the contact was turning the vehicle. she suffered second degree burns on her neck, chest, and face. in addition, her nose and finger were swollen. the failure occurred without warning. the contact feels that this IS a manufacturer defect and would like the issue investigated. the speed was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 23,902.
- Air bags › Frontal
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 geo prizm. when the contact placed the key into the ignition, the air bags immediately deployed without warning. she suffered minor injuries and cuts to the left side of her face. her face was swollen and she complained of a severe burn-like injury to her chest area. the manufacturer had not been notified. the failure and current mileages were less than 238,975.
- Tires
While driving on the interstate at about 65 mph, I began to notice a vibration that was getting worse as I drove along. The road appeared to be in very good (smooth) condition so, after about 2 minutes, I pulled onto the shoulder and examined the tires by feel to see if there was anything…
While driving on the interstate at about 65 mph, I began to notice a vibration that was getting worse as I drove along. The road appeared to be in very good (smooth) condition so, after about 2 minutes, I pulled onto the shoulder and examined the tires by feel to see if there was anything noticeable. The left rear (drivers side) tire had a large bulge in the tread area. the failure occurred under the following conditions: * car IS a 1994 geo prism lsi with 2 passengers and a light luggage load * tire was a wynstar phaser R23 size 185/65r14 86T m&s * had been driving for about 8 hours at 65 mph * tire pressure had been preset at 32 psi * weather conditions clear and dry - temperature approx. 85 deg. *Tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic
During light to medium braking, the ABS active light would illuminate and the anti-lock brake system would begin un-locking the brakes. this would be desirable in the winter, on ice, in a panic situation. it was however dry and sunny on the numerous occasions that this problem occurred. nobody…
During light to medium braking, the ABS active light would illuminate and the anti-lock brake system would begin un-locking the brakes. this would be desirable in the winter, on ice, in a panic situation. it was however dry and sunny on the numerous occasions that this problem occurred. nobody was injured during these malfunctions, only because of the lack of other traffic at the intersections involved. I temporarily fixed the problem by removing the main ABS relay. the ABS IS disengaged but the vehicle can now stop. *Tr
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Dt: the contact tried to order a new driver's side seat belt from a dealer for 1994 geo prizm. The gm dealer did not have it and could not get one. The consumer ordered it from toyota. the contact's vehicle was compatible with a toyota corolla. the contact wanted to complain that he should have…
Dt: the contact tried to order a new driver's side seat belt from a dealer for 1994 geo prizm. The gm dealer did not have it and could not get one. The consumer ordered it from toyota. the contact's vehicle was compatible with a toyota corolla. the contact wanted to complain that he should have been able to get a seat belt for his car from general motors. Also, he was concerned that other people will not know there was an alternative for this.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
While driving at approx. 30 mph around a slight right hand curve, the rear end of the vehicle became squirrelly and while attempting to apply the brakes the left rear wheel assembly broke free of the car which caused an immediate veer to the right directly into a utility pole. visual evaluation…
While driving at approx. 30 mph around a slight right hand curve, the rear end of the vehicle became squirrelly and while attempting to apply the brakes the left rear wheel assembly broke free of the car which caused an immediate veer to the right directly into a utility pole. visual evaluation of the wheel assembly and remaining spindle shaft components revealed that the outer wheel bearing loosened/failed and when wheel assembly wobbled the spindle shaft sheared at the outer bearing's inner race shoulder (i have digital pictures).*ak my daughter (owner & operator of the vehicle) was injured as a direct result of contact with the utility pole. Her injuries included a fractured right forearm, lacerations, facial burns from contact with the air bag and bruising from the seatbelt. the car was totaled and has since been junked. It had approx. 120,000 miles on it
- Air bags
While driving 45 mph driver side airbag deployed inadvertently. As a result, driver sustained head and neck lacerations, and temporary loss of hearing in the left ear. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving 25 mph on flat surface air bag deployed without warning. Driver sustained burn ing face injuries. *ak
- Service brakes, air › Antilock
Front left brake wears unusually fast. had brakes replaced 2 times in as many years. ABS not working. had my geo for 9 years, this IS the first time I've had problems with braking system.*ak
- Air bags · Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Never informed of recalls for air bag light and driver restraint system. found recalls on nhtsa website. notified gm, waiting on response.*ak
- Air bags
While driving at 50 mph vehicle was in a frontal collision. The air bag had a delay deployment upon impact.*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
On 5/1/03 I was driving my car at low speeds and it felt like it was losing power and was going to cut off. I applied the gas and the car continued to run. I drove to my home and turned off the ignition. When I tried to start the car again, it would not start. on 05/02/03, the car started but not…
On 5/1/03 I was driving my car at low speeds and it felt like it was losing power and was going to cut off. I applied the gas and the car continued to run. I drove to my home and turned off the ignition. When I tried to start the car again, it would not start. on 05/02/03, the car started but not as quickly as normal. I took the car to a local auto repair shop and described the above situation. they diagnosed the problem as a defective battery. they replaced the battery. On 5/6/03, I had the same intermittent starting problem. I took the car to another shop. they told me the problem was a bad alternator. the car has about 65,170 miles on it. prior to that on 07/31/00, the alternator was replaced at 47,662 miles. Prior to that the alternator was replaced under warranty on 08/06/98 at 28,515. this seems excessive. *nlm the consumer IS having alternator problems with her vehicle. *tc
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
My concern arises from having problem with my air bag sensor. when I took my car into the dealer to have the problem inspected. I was told that the air bag sensor had damaged due to a spill on the console box area where the sensor IS located. I then looked into this further by going on line to…
My concern arises from having problem with my air bag sensor. when I took my car into the dealer to have the problem inspected. I was told that the air bag sensor had damaged due to a spill on the console box area where the sensor IS located. I then looked into this further by going on line to nhtsa and was informed of a recall on my 1994 geo prism vin#1y1sk5364rz0763 for the same sensor. it also listed how the damaged would be caused word by word to what I was told by the dealer was the problem with my car. the recall listed campaign #96v107000; I then contacted chevrolet in order to get more information. I was told by a representative, that my car vin# did not come under the recall campaign. I find it very odd that this would be the case. since what dealer described the problem with my car sensor to matching word to word with the summary listed in nhtsa recall notice summary. I have 3 small children and would appreciate your assistance in the investigation of this situation. sincerely, nora
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
On the 4-door model of the geo prizm lsi, the rear door latch/lock mechanisms fail, making the door un-operable from inside, or outside of the vehicle. should this failure occur as a result of a crash, the occupants of the backseats cannot exit the vehicle without having to crawl over the front…
On the 4-door model of the geo prizm lsi, the rear door latch/lock mechanisms fail, making the door un-operable from inside, or outside of the vehicle. should this failure occur as a result of a crash, the occupants of the backseats cannot exit the vehicle without having to crawl over the front seats (which may not be possible, based on the severity of the crash...). in my case, the two, separate failures were not the result of accidents, but both rear door mechanisms did fail (at different occasions...), which resulted in loss of ability to use the back seats for occupant usage in the method designed/intended. according to the dealership's service center (superstition springs toyota, mesa, az), the electrical solonoid that controls the lock mechanism can fail, causing the loss of operability (at a cost of $300 to replace), and requires replacement of the entire lock/latch mechanism. The same mechanism IS also used on the front doors, as well.
- Trailer hitches
While traveling at 25mph under raining conditions consumer states' lost control of vehicle and hit the trailer hitch of the other vehicle. consumer states none of the airbags deployed. please provide any further information. Ph
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seat belt anchors on consumers vehicle broke. consumer researched and found out that there are a number of recalls due to the defective belts for this vehicle. consumer spoke to a geo representive who explained that there was no recall for the anchor straps. the representative would not confirm in writing what was told to the consumer. *jg
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
At approximately 120,000 miles driver side seatbelt failed to retract and was replaced by owner. At 170,000 miles both rear retractable seatbelt's started jaming because the belt itself folds in half while retracting, causing seatbelt to "lock" up. Seatbelt can be removed and un ammed, but problem continues to repeat itself.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer states when pulling off from a stop the drivers side airbag deployed without warning. Cause IS unknown. consumers face was injured by the airbag. *Jb.*jg
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle hit a concrete divider on highway at 80 mph, and neither airbag deployed. Consumer suffered bruised ribs. vehicle was totalled.*ak *yh
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
ABS: at first, the light was on all the time. A diagnostic test was run, and a sensor was replaced (all that was over $400). Now the light comes on (and stays on) at 49 mph. Another diagnostic test will have to be performed by the dealer to find out what's wrong. As for the window: one day I was…
ABS: at first, the light was on all the time. A diagnostic test was run, and a sensor was replaced (all that was over $400). Now the light comes on (and stays on) at 49 mph. Another diagnostic test will have to be performed by the dealer to find out what's wrong. As for the window: one day I was driving with the window halfway down. When I tried to roll it back up, it wouldn't go. It just stayed there, then started sliding down. A repair shop fixed it.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While vehicle was parked on left and there was a fire that started in enigne.e vehicle totaled. *Ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Doors hinges and latches are inoperable, causing doors to swing open while driving and cannot be closed. Dealer has repaired doors on several occasions. Please provide further details.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's side seat belt doesn't work. seatbelt IS pulled all the way out, and will not retract. consumer has yet to contact dealer. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving at at 55 mph vehicle hit consumer in front, and none of airbags deployed. while driving vehicle at 50 mph consumer's vehicle was rear ended, and none of airbags deployed. Please provide any further imformation.*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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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