1990 Geo Storm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1990 Geo Storm. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1990 Geo Storm. Newest first.
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch IS securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button IS pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer IS developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
The steering wheel center hub can fracture during certain frontal and near frontal vehicle collisions.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fracturing of the steering wheel hub can decrease thedriver's control of the vehicle and could reduce the crash protection of thesteering system and the driver's side air bag.
Remedy
A steering wheel reinforcement plate and nut will be added to the steering wheel hub.
When using front seatback release levers to tip front seatback forward to gain entry to, or exit from , the rear seat, it IS possible to insert a finger into the seatback hinge mechanism.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in the finger being pinched andpossibly seriously injured.
Remedy
Repair to prevent condition that would permit finger injury.
Owner complaints
45 complaints11 involved a crash1 involved a fire9 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Seat belts › Front
Upon finding out that the IS a recall call on my 1990 geo storm that affect the seat seat belts and air bag the manufacture and dealership both refused to rush the parts needed to affect the repairs and told me that if I wished to drive the car with all the retraint systems in the front under…
Upon finding out that the IS a recall call on my 1990 geo storm that affect the seat seat belts and air bag the manufacture and dealership both refused to rush the parts needed to affect the repairs and told me that if I wished to drive the car with all the retraint systems in the front under recall it was my own problem and they wouldn't even ship the parts by air. my safety isn't worth air frieght. The car IS illegal to operate on the streets with defective seatbeltsl this safety recall IS in my opinion not being dealt with in a timely matter to insure my safety . *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Some one should fix the problem so I can buy a new ecm. *Ak
- Seats
The wire connecting to the pawl, which IS connected to the manual lever to the pawl opposite the lever appears to be engaged but IS only partually engaged, when an accident occurs the partial engagement IS pulled out by the unengaged side resulting in the entire seat to slide forward, as a result the occupant's sustains lower leg or foot injuries in offset frontal crashes. nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition
I have already had the pick-up coil and ignitor module replace at 132,563 miles. Now beginning before 189,000 miles and after the problems with the car not starting (cold or hot) are starting to happen again. Yesterday, 4/17/2001 the car would not start i. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control
The 1990 geo storm (auto) will not only stall, but IS starting to accelerate unintentionally. the car also seems to stall in relativly tight turns. my main problem IS the hesitation and surging/acceleration. I have heard through internet news groups that their IS a defective ecm component on…
The 1990 geo storm (auto) will not only stall, but IS starting to accelerate unintentionally. the car also seems to stall in relativly tight turns. my main problem IS the hesitation and surging/acceleration. I have heard through internet news groups that their IS a defective ecm component on this car and that this defect was communicated to chevy/geo dealers through its technical literature. so far, I am spending hundreds of dollars on repairs that will not solve the problem. if the dealers know about the defective ecm, what kind of recourse can I take to have it repaired and/or receive my money back for the unneeded repairs. if the car continues to do this, it can become a hazard.*ak
- Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Clutch cables were threaded through firewall. Overtime usage of clutch would cause cables to rip through firewall. problem has happened twice, and has been repaired twice. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
I was asking around about why my car idles funny and I was pointed to your page I have to keep my foot on the brake to keep the car from accelerating even though my foot IS not on the peddle also when I start the car it wants to hover at about 2,000 rpm and when I drop the car in gear it surges…
I was asking around about why my car idles funny and I was pointed to your page I have to keep my foot on the brake to keep the car from accelerating even though my foot IS not on the peddle also when I start the car it wants to hover at about 2,000 rpm and when I drop the car in gear it surges and then drops to around 1,500 rpm I also feel as though I have to stand on the brakes sometimes when it IS doing this to keep it from rolling.
- Electrical system · Suspension
While traveling about 65mph on highway speedometer dropped to zero and vehicle just shut off. Without prior warning. then, he realized that vehicle wouldn't respond. vehicle had to be towed. *ak consumer states ignition module had to be replaced.*jb
- Unknown or other
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Vehicle suddenly accelerated. consumer had to hold the brakes so that vehicle would slowdown. also, consumer smelled gasoline coming though the vent area. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Seems to be a common problem with 1990/91 1.6 geo storms. No safety defect listed in the summary. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Problem with the ecu IS a GMC manufacturing defect. dealer will not replace ecu. ecu has problem with board laminate expanding and contracting with temperature change which causes damage to the circuit board and chip connections. should be recalled and replaced by gm free of charge for all geo…
Problem with the ecu IS a GMC manufacturing defect. dealer will not replace ecu. ecu has problem with board laminate expanding and contracting with temperature change which causes damage to the circuit board and chip connections. should be recalled and replaced by gm free of charge for all geo storms. exhaust header IS made of iron and rusts immediately after installation. a few years afterwards, exhaust header will crack and must be replaced at owner's cost. this part should be replaced by dealer with same part, free of charge, every time it breaks, or replaced with a component that will not rust and crack. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Suspension › Front
Every since ive had the car in aug of 1999 the struts or shocks, whichever it has,have been shot...the car rocks side to side when I drive over a bump or a dip... The scariest part of that IS that it happens more on the freeway and I also have three kids in the car with me, ive almost lost control…
Every since ive had the car in aug of 1999 the struts or shocks, whichever it has,have been shot...the car rocks side to side when I drive over a bump or a dip... The scariest part of that IS that it happens more on the freeway and I also have three kids in the car with me, ive almost lost control of the car a couple of times...cant fix the problem because the part IS just too expensive....also the passenger door has not opened since ive had the car....ive tried working on it but its just to hard to get the panel off the door...earlier this month my water pump started leaking and on 03/10/00 it finally went out and at the same time the timing belt broke....so now im without a car...hopefully nothing else happened....the cvboot on the front drivers side IS also torn...so most likely the axle will go out too...if there IS something u can do for me please let me know....thank u...sharlene. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Ac delco used a insulative spray on the circuit boards in these ecus/computers which shrinks over time when exposed to warm and cool temperature conditions, such as the normal conditions that an automobile IS subjected to. The shrinking insulative spray contracts and pulls the electronic components…
Ac delco used a insulative spray on the circuit boards in these ecus/computers which shrinks over time when exposed to warm and cool temperature conditions, such as the normal conditions that an automobile IS subjected to. The shrinking insulative spray contracts and pulls the electronic components from the circuit board, breaking solder connections and causing shorts. The symptoms of this fault are most notably erratic idle, idle revving and dropping, idle dipping often with engine dying, idle hanging high above 2,000 rpm, and engine dying or stalling for no reason with no trouble codes. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Ecm failure began slightly after I purchased the car with 80000 miles on it. engine would run, then shut down for no apparent reason, which could be a severe hazard. mechanic identified problem, and dealership reported they had seen many storms with the same problem. since then I have spoken to…
Ecm failure began slightly after I purchased the car with 80000 miles on it. engine would run, then shut down for no apparent reason, which could be a severe hazard. mechanic identified problem, and dealership reported they had seen many storms with the same problem. since then I have spoken to 20 or 30 other storm owners whos cars developed simialr problems after 3 years or 80000 miles depending on how car was driven. would also like to recieve further correspondance on ability to have car recalled on such premises. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
This IS concerning the varying idle speed problems on the storm that was repaired by isuzu/gm under warranty, but does not cover vehicles out of warranty. My car's idle speed varies and surges, resulting in stalls and occasional jerky takeoffs.
- Vehicle speed control · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
At idle after car warms up, engine tends to surge up from 800rpm to 3000rpm while in drive. This lauches the car forward at a stop.
- Electrical system › Wiring · Electrical system › Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk
Vehicle fire due to possible electrical wiring failure. A wiring to rear trail lighting burnt. (ohio state police report). *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer drove off from stop light. Someone stopped in front of consumer, and she rearended the other vehicle on front end. The air bag on the driver's side did not deploy. The vehicle IS totalled. *ak
- Seats
Vehicle was involved in a collision. upon inpact, the driver's and passenger's seat broke and went to the rear of the vehicle which resulted in the front passenger falling to the rear of the vehicle because of the seat breaking. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Owner hit another car head-on and air bag didn't deploy. *ak
- Steering
Recall repairs to steering wheel could not be made because parts were not available. dealer said owerer would be notified in writing when parts become available.
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Airbag didnt deploy and seat belts didnt lock during crash. Cause unknown. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The vehicle was rearended by a van at 70 mph, causing the front driver's seat to break and lay flat. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering column loosening
There is no summary currently available
- Seat belt buckles failure
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.
- 43020Unknown
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