1991 Geo Storm
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1991 Geo Storm. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1991 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.
Owner complaints
90 complaints19 involved a crash1 involved a fire16 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 1991 geo storm. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while sitting at a traffic stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, they were unable to repair the vehicle. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
- Engine and engine cooling
7 months and 5 replacement ecus on my 1991 geo storm gsi, and still has dangerous issues of stalling on highway and when pulling out into traffic. the problem IS that between 1985 and 1995, ac delco used a insulative spray on the circuit boards in these ecus/computers which shrinks over time…
7 months and 5 replacement ecus on my 1991 geo storm gsi, and still has dangerous issues of stalling on highway and when pulling out into traffic. the problem IS that between 1985 and 1995, 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. gm knows about this fault in their ac delco ecus/computers and has even gone so far as to include supplemental instructions on how to test for shorts and broken circuits in the ecu/computer to their technical literature, though they refuse to repair or replace the problem at their own expense. Gm went further and began using a different insulative spray on all of their ecus/computers in 1996, though they do not use this new spray on their factory reconditioned ecus/computers for the geo storm models. *Tr
- Electrical system
1992 geo storm manual transmission. when engine gets hot ( summer months ) engine idle increases to 2,500 - 3,500 rpm. must use foot to pull up on accelarator. car begins to overheat lurches forward. car also stalls without warning. heard it has to do with faulty ecm. very dangerous situation. *Jb
- Unknown or other
The e.c.u. IS bad in my 1991 geo storm 2+2. It IS a common problem with these cars and gm will not do anything about it. *la
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer replaced the distributor cap, spark plug wires and rotor, however the problem recurred. *jb
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
During warm weather the vehicle's throttle will stick at 2000. through my research I have found this to be the fault of the ecu. it IS a very dangerous thing to have your throttle stick. dt
- Vehicle speed control
Vehicle would intermittently lurch forward when brakes were applied. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Ongoing problem with engine stalling / cutting off while driving at multiple speed. Vehicle been to dealer, but problem reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
This IS the 2ND ecm control module in 2 years. . .Both were new with only a year warranty. . .Problem only shows up in the summer. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
General motors used a shrinking sealant on the computer boards in these cars which they have since quite using and admit it was a problem, but still use it on the replacement parts when this shrinks it pulls the components on board loose, causing poor idle/ hesitation and stalling even during acceleration (ie when pulling out in traffic). *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Idle becomes rough, bounces and dies, fails to start or starts and check engine light IS on, runs very bad. once car sits for a while, starts to run fine, does it when it IS warm out. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine control computer improperly built causing erractic idle from 2000rpm to 500rpm, car stalls and will not start. isuzu has been contacted about this and has stated"we do not make cars" and they fail to rectify the problem. there are very many of us who would like to see this issue resolved…
Engine control computer improperly built causing erractic idle from 2000rpm to 500rpm, car stalls and will not start. isuzu has been contacted about this and has stated"we do not make cars" and they fail to rectify the problem. there are very many of us who would like to see this issue resolved as our cars stalling in traffic and idling erractically IS causing a lot of problems as in poor efficiency and unneeded downtime. the problem IS in the insulative spray on the main circuit bopar dof the units that breaks down over time due to heat and extreme(hot or cold) temps. GMC has recognized this problem and fails to do anything about it. we would like this issue addressed and I speak for the over 500 members of the geo storm owners club, www.stormowners.com. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Suspension › Front
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
I was coming down a 2 lane and it just stopped and got rear ended when it shut off it was the ecm shorted because of sealant from factory. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
For the last 4YRS. I have had trouble at start-up,idle,drivability of the engine. All sensors related to the ignition had been checked or replaced. now on 12/1/01 the alternator over charged the electrical system causing a complete burn-up of the ecm,main circuit panel and some of the wiring…
For the last 4YRS. I have had trouble at start-up,idle,drivability of the engine. All sensors related to the ignition had been checked or replaced. now on 12/1/01 the alternator over charged the electrical system causing a complete burn-up of the ecm,main circuit panel and some of the wiring harness. Neither the 50amp main fuse or the 30amp ecm fuse blew (like they should have) stopping the 160 amps from the alternator. *ak
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
The date & mileage are only for the most recent occurence. It started late april 2001 at about 70,000 miles; I'D bought the car used the previous september & it had driven ok throughout the winter. The problem has been happening off & on ever since. The car will be going 55 mph or more; about 5 or…
The date & mileage are only for the most recent occurence. It started late april 2001 at about 70,000 miles; I'D bought the car used the previous september & it had driven ok throughout the winter. The problem has been happening off & on ever since. The car will be going 55 mph or more; about 5 or more minutes after startup (it varies), the rpm gauge/idle suddenly drops to 0, the car might buck slightly,the engine light comes on, & the car stalls. Pressing the gas pedal has no effect; all I can do IS coast to a stop. So far, I've been lucky; I've been able to coast to the shoulder w/no incident. Usually after a couple minutes, I can start the car again,but this past saturday, I was stranded for over an hour before the car would start. The problem happens irregularly, usually when it's warm outside. The idle also revs on its own; whenever I take my foot off the gas & the speed drops below 30 mph, it revs & jumps forward unless I immediately hit the brakes -- very dangerous when I'm heading towards a stoplight! The car has had both its ignition coil & fuel injectors replaced, and all belts are new; all maintenance IS kept up, & there are no other problems with the car that would cause either of these issues. after driving our mechanic & us nuts for several months, we finally found out that the problems were due to shorts caused by bad insulative spray on the ecu/computer circuit board (the original factory installed unit), & we also found out that we weren't alone in having these problems -- that other storm & isuzu owners were having the same trouble. The faulty ecu IS what gm/isuzu refuse to recognize. Isuzu claims the problems are "normal" -- I've yet to drive any car where stalling & dying at high speed on the highway IS considered "normal". *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
I sent one complaint today, with some errors. I am sending this complaint to correct these errors, and also to complain a little more. I can bareley make it to school in my car without worring if it IS going to die or not. Several times it has died in the middle of busy intersections not only…
I sent one complaint today, with some errors. I am sending this complaint to correct these errors, and also to complain a little more. I can bareley make it to school in my car without worring if it IS going to die or not. Several times it has died in the middle of busy intersections not only putting myself in danger, but also the other motrists around me. I am a young kid on a tight budget and would like to see something done about this. Thank you. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Headrest & seatback failed on rear impact.caused additional injuries when driver hit pole&tree
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Consumer replaced exhaust pipe once, and currently vehicle needs exhaust pipe replaced again, vehicle has had an ehaust leak.*ak consumer has since replaced exhaust pipe.*jb
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
The symptoms of this fault are most notably erratic idle, idle revving and dropping. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When I start the car with the engine cold, as soon as the choke turns off, the engines dies, I have to tap the accelerator to keep the engine running. once the engine IS operating temperature, I shift the transaxle into park, and the idle shoots up to 2000 rpms, the engine idles up and down while…
When I start the car with the engine cold, as soon as the choke turns off, the engines dies, I have to tap the accelerator to keep the engine running. once the engine IS operating temperature, I shift the transaxle into park, and the idle shoots up to 2000 rpms, the engine idles up and down while the car IS in park. the idle also drop temporarily when the brakes are depressed this started happening during the last week when the weather turned hot for the summer.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Car has erratic idle at times and rpms will stick sometimes well above normal idle. it IS ecu that IS causing the problem. quite a few of my friends experience this problem with the geo storms. a recall IS in order if you ask me!*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The ecm died, and according to a survey, a lot of other peoples have also, recall it! *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Car loses power with no indication of a problem. all speeds. been chasing problem for almost 3 years now. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
This ecu problem IS very unsafe! It causes the vehicle to surge at intersections when braking or fail to stay running in taffic. The ecu also causes the vehicle to sputter and cut-out at hi-way speeds, causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down in traffic.*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.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 43020Unknown
Every Geo Storm model year
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