1999 Geo Prizm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1999 Geo Prizm. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
24 complaints7 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Seats
TL* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet prizm. The contact was driving 30 mph and became involved in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver's seat was pushed backward, causing the contact to sustain injuries to the back. The contact was wearing the seatbelt at the time of the seat…
TL* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet prizm. The contact was driving 30 mph and became involved in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver's seat was pushed backward, causing the contact to sustain injuries to the back. The contact was wearing the seatbelt at the time of the seat failure. A police report was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 125,000. The vin was not available.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle owners manual does not provide specific instructions as to how to adjust the headlamp along the horizontal axis(horizontal adjustment) or vertical axis (vertical adjustment) if the headlamp deviates from the nominal adjusted position or the correct aimed position. this may prove to be fatal if the vehicle owner drives the vehicle with headlamps unadjusted especially in rural areas of the country.
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer state while traveling 25-35 mph in result of rear ending another vehicle consumer air bags did not deploy at any time. Dealer and manufacture has been contacted. Please provide further information. Ts
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Power train › Automatic transmission
Sometimes key won't turn in ignition, and steering wheel wont move and gear shift won't move. Cause unknown. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving 55 mph and without any indication vehicle would stall out. Also, when traveling around curves engine would stall. Dealer has been contacted, but could not duplicate problem. Please provide further information. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS braking light comes on dashboard when applying brakes. pedal goes all the way to the floor, and vehicle will slide when braking and pulsating. dealership IS aware of problem.*ak
- Air bags · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
While driving on a rainy day the front end of the vehicle struck another vehicle and driver airbag did not deploy.*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
I have complained about a loss of brakes several times with gm. This time, I managed to jerk the steering wheel around and a large log truckl missed me by inches. Gm cannot duplicate the problem, I have a vehicle I don't dare to drive anymore.
- Air bags
Airbag light started blinking. Dealer checked flash codes. Flash code 44 confirmed. New ABS harness on order.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Driver's side ball joint completely dry. dealer replaced. still creaking when go over bumps or reverse and turn wheel.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
I have inconsistant, "intermitent" loss of brakes. 3 people have experienced this problem while driving the vehicle. The service departments at 2 different dealerships have been unable to duplicate the problem. The brakes will take at first, disappear for a couple of seconds, the pedal goes almost…
I have inconsistant, "intermitent" loss of brakes. 3 people have experienced this problem while driving the vehicle. The service departments at 2 different dealerships have been unable to duplicate the problem. The brakes will take at first, disappear for a couple of seconds, the pedal goes almost to the floor and the brake returns (so far). the loss happens in both cold/hot weather & wet/dry conditions without warning. I am told the car IS 'safe' to drive, although I consider this problem 'unsafe'.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Vehicle speed control
The drl module failed, causing several lighting anomiles and odd engine revving followed by the engine stopping. following that, the engine started normally but died when the lights were manually activated. after that,the car started and the same lighting anomolies repeated, the engine died and…
The drl module failed, causing several lighting anomiles and odd engine revving followed by the engine stopping. following that, the engine started normally but died when the lights were manually activated. after that,the car started and the same lighting anomolies repeated, the engine died and the lights woulnd't turn off. with the drl module disconnected, the lights did not operate. the part wasn't in stock at the dealerships in my area and it had to be ordered. I was without my car from 5/17 until the afternoon of 5/21.*ak
- Air bags
Airbag light indicating defect/failure of airbags illuminates. intermittent problem. dealer unable to duplicate. occurred 12 different times from 36,600 to 36,700. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While traveling air bag indicator light would flash through travel. Vehicle has been repaired four times, but problem returned. Please provide further information. Please provide further information. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
I was rearended in an accident on 10-11-00 at a stop light, which in turn pushed me into the car in front of me, I was hit at 45 miles an hour, my trunk was compacted to 6 inches. the front right side has a 2 foot area that IS missing and then cought on fire, and yet my air bags didn't deploy.…
I was rearended in an accident on 10-11-00 at a stop light, which in turn pushed me into the car in front of me, I was hit at 45 miles an hour, my trunk was compacted to 6 inches. the front right side has a 2 foot area that IS missing and then cought on fire, and yet my air bags didn't deploy. either the passenger or drivers. the car was still under warrenty and had no problems with the air bags that could be seen or checked. this IS very trubbling to me.
- Air bags
Air bag warning light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within the system. dealer replaced the air bag wiring and the module which did not correct the problem. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer was involved in a frontal collision in which driver's/passenger's air bags did not deploy, and seat belts did not lock . please give any further details. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Steering
The driver was traveling at 50mph along a straight highway when sudddenly the steering wheel started moving violently from side to side. The driver was unable to maintain control, left the road and flipped the car several times landing upside down. The driver removed her seatbelt and was attempting…
The driver was traveling at 50mph along a straight highway when sudddenly the steering wheel started moving violently from side to side. The driver was unable to maintain control, left the road and flipped the car several times landing upside down. The driver removed her seatbelt and was attempting to exit through the back broken window when the front airbags very slowly started to inflate. The airbags never fully inflated. The side airbags never inflated. We are anxious to find out if there IS a way to determine whether a steering defect lead to the accident.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
On 4 occassions when going approx. 40-45 mph, engine seemed as if the power just sort of dropped out for several seconds. on two separate occassions, when stopped at a stoplight, when light turned green & I pushed on gas pedal to accelerate, car completely turned itself off. dealer could not re-create problem and offered no explanation. *ak
- Air bags
Air bag light illuminates intermittently. nlm
- Tires
Consumer started hearing a noise at 18,000 miles. it was a cupping noise coming from tire located on the inside edge of the rear tires due to the angle of the vehicle. *ak
- Air bags
Air bag warning light flashes periodically. This has been an ongoing problem for the last six months. Dealer was not able to fix the problem. please provide any further information. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Air bag did not deploy in accident. I have had the air bag warning light on since I bought the vehicle. the dealership said it was due to a defective driver side airbag sensor, and this would not prevent the front airbags from deploying. dealer stated that they could not fix the defect, because…
Air bag did not deploy in accident. I have had the air bag warning light on since I bought the vehicle. the dealership said it was due to a defective driver side airbag sensor, and this would not prevent the front airbags from deploying. dealer stated that they could not fix the defect, because it would not correct the warning light problem, and they removed the sensor that was bad (for the side air bag), but didn't have one to replace it with. I contacted the manufacturer about this problem, and they could not resolve the issue. daniel's told me they have three other prizms with the same problem that they cannot fix. I feel that I could have been seriously injured due to the non-functioning safety component (front air bag) and that other people may be injured from the same problem. the policeman that investigated the accident also recommended that I find out why the air-bag did not deploy. *Ak
- Air bags
Air bag light comes at any random time and will not cut off. Dealer was contacted and part was replaced. *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.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10190934Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components are showing some form of corrosion. This corrosion may be red in appearance (rust) if the component is steel, forged iron or cast iron. This corrosion may also be grey or white in color if the component is constructed of an aluminum alloy.
- 10190933Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components are showing some form of corrosion. This corrosion may be red in appearance (rust) if the component is steel, forged iron or cast iron. This corrosion may also be grey or white in color if the component is constructed of an aluminum alloy.
- 10190932Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Evaluating Damage In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The Dealer must record the wheel ID stamp or the cast date on the wheel in order to assure this requirement. Refer to Refinisher's Responsibility Outside Company later in this bulletin.
- 10190931Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Evaluating Damage In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The Dealer must record the wheel ID stamp or the cast date on the wheel in order to assure this requirement. Refer to Refinisher's Responsibility Outside Company later in this bulletin.
- 10082506This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient temperature areas due to calibration concerns.
- 10012558Avoiding oil baffle damage during oil fill process.
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