1995 Geo Prizm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1995 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 1995 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 battery can have a defective weld inside the positive and/or negative terminal allowing the connection inside of the terminal to separate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can result in a no-start condition, or a battery explosion.
Remedy
Dealers will replace defective batteries.
Owner complaints
96 complaints27 involved a crash1 involved a fire27 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
Dangerously poor winter traction on a tire labeled as all-season. *tr
- Seat belts
Drivers side restraint retracting mechanism consistently fails to retract. Passenger side restraint retracting mechanism intermittently fails to retract or lock, and freqently jams so it can't be pulled out. *tr
- Steering · Suspension
I have problems with the front of my car. It rattles and the right wheel makes noise. Front axle broke and I had it repaired but did not fix the problem. Mechanic could not find the problem. *tr
- Power train › Axle assembly
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 geo prizm. while driving 50- 55 mph, the contact heard a sudden bang. the vehicle veered to the left momentarily, and then back to the right. he was unable to control the vehicle and struck the sidewall on the highway. the vehicle spun approximately 180 degrees and…
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 geo prizm. while driving 50- 55 mph, the contact heard a sudden bang. the vehicle veered to the left momentarily, and then back to the right. he was unable to control the vehicle and struck the sidewall on the highway. the vehicle spun approximately 180 degrees and stopped moving shortly afterwards. the vehicle was destroyed and towed to the police storage compound. he was informed that the crash was caused by a failed axle. the contact was injured and a police report was filed. the current and failure mileages were 84,000. Remailed 05/07/08. *lj updated 06/09/08 *bf an investigation was done. Updated06/09/08
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
Dt: the contact owns a 1995 geo prism. The air bag deployed without an accident. The speed was about 5 mph. because she was slowing down for a red light the front driver and front passenger air bags deployed. There where some previous road construction on the road she was traveling on. But the…
Dt: the contact owns a 1995 geo prism. The air bag deployed without an accident. The speed was about 5 mph. because she was slowing down for a red light the front driver and front passenger air bags deployed. There where some previous road construction on the road she was traveling on. But the night of this incident the road was fairly leveled. The contact did not lose control of the vehicle because she was already stopping. The air bag warning light was not that she IS aware of. One passenger sustained injuries,such as severe bruising, head injuries, busted nose and black eyes. she was transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The insurance agency told her that there was nhtsa recall 96v070000 concerning the air bag sensor. She contacted gm manufacturer and she was told this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. This occurred on august 30, 2005. *Ak
- Air bags
Reporting on behalf of our insured. Airbag deployed after hit pot hole. No frontal impact. Injury to driver. Air bags were not repaired. *Ak
- Structure
Problems with black and white spots developing on the vehicle's hood, roof and on top of the trunk. *mr *nm
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving srs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. the vehicle was taken to a garage, and mechanic determined that the sensor needed to be replaced. *Ak the technician at the garage indicated the problem she was experiencing was the subject of a recall. The consumer called the dealer with the recall information but they informed her that the vehicle's vin was not included. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
Your website states that there IS a recall on my vehicle: 95 geo prizm for airbags frontal sensor control module which IS a problem that I have on my vehicle. however I was told there was no recall for my vehicle identification number. *jb
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling
Check engine light comes on and engine "almost stalls." the light comes on and a decrease in rpm and engine hestitation occurs. light did stay on for 1 hour, but when dealer checked there were no codes recorded. Dealer checked car 2 separate times with no evidence of any defects. *la
- Steering
Consumer states the harmonic balancer went out causing loss of power steering. Please provide any additional information. *nlm
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Three retractors are not working properly,one on driver's side belt/ belt retractor behind driver's side, and the on on passenger's side rear. seat belts will not retract, they will just hang in place. Contacted dealer ,and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion · Tires
While driving over a hill front tires started to wobble, and vehicle rolled over. consumer found screws from rack and pinion steering on the ground. please provide any further information.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
The brakes make high pitched sounds even though they were not worn out, the consumer changed the 2ND set of brakes because she can not take the noise anymore. *Yh
- Seats
Both front seats collapsed upon rear end collision impact-is this normal. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
When brakes are applied drivers restraint does not locks. dealer has been notified. Dealer and manufacturer have been contacted. Please provide further information.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
A beverage was spilled into console while driving, and an hour later airbag light was on. Consumer contacted dealer about recall 96 v 107 000, and they were not aware of any recall on that vehicle. driver stated that recall explained exact problem, but this vehicle not effected due to vin. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
While buckling driver in seat bel seat belt bolt became undone, and consumer was not restraint. Please provide further information. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Car purchased new in 1995(may or june, too lazy to go to the car and look!) first the right rear seatbelt would not retract ,so we put the baby in the middle or left rear. the car was taken in to have some minor flaws corrected as with most new cars(a "punch" list). The seatbelt was fixed under…
Car purchased new in 1995(may or june, too lazy to go to the car and look!) first the right rear seatbelt would not retract ,so we put the baby in the middle or left rear. the car was taken in to have some minor flaws corrected as with most new cars(a "punch" list). The seatbelt was fixed under warranty . shortly there after it did it again. As well as the left rear started doing the same thing. The right rear has never retracted since. I was able to free the left one occasionally(2 or 3) times then it permanently locked. We had to put the child's seat in the middle ; the best place for it .the dealer was contacted when the car went in for service and I was told I would have to buy new seatbelts and pay the labor to fix them. Screw that! we just travelled 3 to the car or rear riding adults had no seatbelts. Had another child in 1998. Bought a used volvo!! end of story. thanks! hoyo (pam's husband). *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Was driving vehicle approximately 35mph and had rear ended another vehicle when brakes had locked. Upon impact with other vehicle, air bags failed to deploy. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Would be driving at various speeds when brakes would lock up without being applied. Problem would happen at any time. Could smell brakes burning. Had mechanic look at brakes, and they were completely overhauled. Had an accident previously when brakes locked up. currently, brakes being repaired again after being test driven & and locking up on mwchanic. *ak
- Vehicle speed control · Vehicle speed control › Linkages
When making a turn the accelerator got stuck. There were children present, vehicle was racing up curb. another time accelerater got stuck consumer was changing lanes and gas pedal got stuck again. consumer turned of keys, and hit a van with a pregnant women in it.*ak *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's side and passenger's side seat belt buckles stick in buckle housing. Also, rear seat belts locks in retractor mechanism. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Both seat belts in my car are considered defective by my dealer. gm agreed to pay for the new seat belts after I argued for an hour with a representative on the phone and then went down to the dealership to argue with the service manager. to replace two seat belts in a 95 geo prism the cost IS…
Both seat belts in my car are considered defective by my dealer. gm agreed to pay for the new seat belts after I argued for an hour with a representative on the phone and then went down to the dealership to argue with the service manager. to replace two seat belts in a 95 geo prism the cost IS upwards of $650. the customer service representative from gm actualy siad that I had broke them from "over-usage". I wonder why if it IS a law that people wear a seat belt while opperating a car, why it IS not a law that the car manufacturers guarantee their seat belts for the life of the car? my seat belts were replace for free in part because I am aggressive, mouthy, and I out-wit both the customer service rep and the service manager at hall chevrolet. how many people have actualy paid to get their defective seat belts fixed?*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
- 10208027This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10171318This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 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.
- 10166638This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 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.
- 10157018This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 10154641This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 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.
- 10138060This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10114947This 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.
- 10114924This 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.
- 10113443This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 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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