1997 Geo METRO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
30,925 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 37 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 21.6% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 16.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 13.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
2000: 12; 2001: 10; 2002: 6; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10099754 · 2004-12-10 (December 10, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT OWNER AND WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 19,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552419 · 2000-05-26 (May 26, 2000)
THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022392 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
STALLING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103502 · 2005-01-14 (January 14, 2005)
THE CONSUMER SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN FROM 65 MPH AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC THEN LOOSENED O RINGS TO STOP THE NOISE AND STALLING, BUT THE NOISE AND THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE STALLING OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP FOR ANY REASON. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110924 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, THE OIL SWITCH WAS BAD, AND THE PCV VALVE WAS BAD. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHEED THE 25 MPH MARK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559360 · 2001-02-02 (February 2, 2001)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723012 · 2000-05-22 (May 22, 2000)
FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN FUEL TANK IS ONLY HALF TO LESS THAN HALF EMPTY. FRIGHTNIG WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCES AND NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE FUEL TO GET TO THE NEXT GAS STATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8012627 · 2002-06-25 (June 25, 2002)
AT 35-40MPH AND WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE STALLED, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CONNECTOR AT THE FUEL INJECTOR, THE CONNECTORS CONTACT HAD SLIGHTLY OPENED, CONSUMER CLOSED SOME OF THE CONTACTS AND NOW THE ENGINE RUNS WELL. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8012627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861923 · 2000-05-15 (May 15, 2000)
TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE BRAKES, AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT JERKED OUT OF POSITION, AND CAUSED CONSUMER TO FALL AGAINST STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER SUSTAINED FRACTURED RIBS AND A CONCUSSION DUE TO HER HEAD HITTING AGAINST FRONT GLASS. VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING 5 MPH, AND JUST ENTERING AN INTERSECTION FROM A RED STOP LIGHT WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861923 at NHTSA ↗