1996 Geo Prizm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1996 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 1996 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
61 complaints22 involved a crash2 involved a fire22 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 1996 geo prizm. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag and front passenger air bag abruptly deployed when the ignition switch was engaged. The contact sustained burn injuries to both arms and chest. Medical attention was not received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 228,194.
- Steering · Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 1996 geo prizm. While driving various speeds over a bump in the road, the vehicle pulled to the left. The failure recurred two or three times per day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. While driving at an unknown speed…
TL* the contact owns a 1996 geo prizm. While driving various speeds over a bump in the road, the vehicle pulled to the left. The failure recurred two or three times per day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. While driving at an unknown speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. Also, at 40,000 miles, the tires became worn out within 10,000 miles. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 10e002000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,140.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Three of my doors on my 1996 geo prizm locks have failed, shutting the doors permanently. I have only one door to get in/out of my car. I have spoken to other geo owners and they are experiencing the same problem. I now have to SE if I can find a shop to get the doors unlocked so I no longer have to climb over the seat to get in to drive. heaven help me if I get into an accident.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tire tread separated while driving. *mr the consumer heard a loud noise and felt a pull while the vehicle was in motion. *sc (dayton tire). *jb
- Seat belts › Rear/other
Rear seat belts would unlock from the buckle without warning. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The seat belts lock in the retracted position they are unable to be used. This usually starts with them sticking when you try to pull them down to buckle. I have two geo prizms a 1996 and a 1997 they both have had this problem for a long time.*ak
- Unknown or other
My rear window literally shattered today (june 5, 2003) while I was a work the car was parked the two front side windows where rolled down approximately 2 to 3 inches the temperature here today reached only 71 degrees with a slight wind and it was overcast so it was not extremely hot yet it shattered have you had any simular reports of this happening
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver's seat belt will not buckle. The belt does not come out of holder. *ak
- Seat belts › Rear/other
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the rar seat belts.dealer was not contacted at the time of the call. Ph
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer states that while driving and no warning the engine caught on fire under the hood, the consumer was able to pull over to the side of the road, dealer notified. ts *nlm
- Air bags › Frontal
In an accident vehicle rolled over several times and none of the air bags deployed on impact, causing serious injuries to driver.*ak
- Tires
While driving rear driver's side tire came completely off of axle. driver lost control , resulting in an accident. Driver sustained serious injuries. *Ak
- Power train
I got a report from carfax and found out that the car I bought two years ago had over 37,000 more miles on it .the dealer sold me this car knowing that the odometer had been rolled back.because it has been two years ago,do I still have any rights?. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While traveling at 25 mph another vehicle pulled out in front of consumer's vehicle, and it hit drivers side of other vehicle head-on. consumer's vehicle airbags did not deploy. please provide any further information.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The drivers seatbealt completly unwound while buckled and will not retract. The front passenger seatbelt will not pull out easily. In order to get it buckled it must be tugged continuosly moving a quarter inch at a time.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Rear lap seat belt IS inoperative, belt will not latch. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Driver's side front and rear shoulder belt would tigthen down on users while driving. dealer was notified, and replaced seat belt system. At present mileage of 71,000 miles problem IS reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Seats
While driving 55 mph and without warning vehicle was involved in a side collision. Driver's side seat broke, and consumer ended up in back seat of vehicle.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Winshield wipers work intermittently. This results in inoperativewindshield wipers which reduce driver's visibility, and increases risk of a vehicle crash. dealer was notified, and unwilling to assist because part was not covered under a manufacturer's recall, and vehicle was out of its warranty. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.*ak
- Seat belts
Rear buckle wouldn't unlock when consumer was trying to take car seat out. Consumer purchased another , and dealer couldn't cover it because warranty expired. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Consumer states driver side seat belt would lock up and not release prohibiting one from putting it on, it would also lock up while wearing it restricting movement. *jb
- Air bags › Frontal
Frontal collision with a tree at 35 mph. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Dealer/ manufacturer were not notified at this time. *Ak *jb
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Both seatbelts were in use the drivers failed as well, by breaking free at the retractor.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
A fire had developed under the hood while at a stop light. local fire department arrived, but fire extinguished itself before they arrived. vehicle at an independent repair shop. mechanic believed that fire was due to an electrical short. manufacturer notified. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak
- Wheels
Wheels were improperly installed onto the center shoulder of the hub, the wheel center caps were also improperly installed causing the tabs on the inside to bend or break, consumer requests a payment in full for the repairs that were done due to the improper installation of the wheels. *slc
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.
- 52551Steering column squeak when turning steering wheel during high ambient interior temperatures (lubricate lower steering column bushing).
Every Geo Prizm model year
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