Geo METRO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
402 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 2001 model years. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 402 complaints (10.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 48 | 11.9% |
| Engine operation | 25 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 5.5% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.2% |
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 | 42 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 29 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 17 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 14 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 13 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 42; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 29; Structure:Body:Door: 17; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 14; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 14; Air Bags: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 367 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 116 |
| 1996 | 80 |
| 2000 | 66 |
| 2001 | 44 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 116; 1996: 80; 2000: 66; 2001: 44; 2002: 29; 2003: 27; 2004: 14; 2005: 12; 2006: 4; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 25 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 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 10069031 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567807 · 2002-10-28 (October 28, 2002)
CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS IN MOTION WHEN THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND, FOLLOWED BY LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALL BRAKING AND STEERING POWER WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UNISTRUT FRAME ON THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN. CHEVROLET DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS ENVIRONMENTAL AND NO REIMBURSEMENT OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WILL BE INCURRED. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES PAID. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976025 · 1995-12-01 (December 1, 1995)
COMPUTER BOX MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL/STOP WITH NO WARNING. PROBLEM REOCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802167 · 1996-09-10 (September 10, 1996)
WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY AT APPROX. 5MPH, THE BOLT WHICH HELD BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSED AXEL TO DETACH, TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND RIGHT FRONT FELL OFF, HITTING RIGHT FRONT FENDER*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975385 · 1995-11-24 (November 24, 1995)
BOLT FOR SHIFTING FORK BROKE. UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481079 · 1995-02-08 (February 8, 1995)
STEERING RACK FAILED. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488071 · 1995-08-18 (August 18, 1995)
DOME LIGHT SWITCH WIRING AT ROCKER PANEL FAULTY. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967292 · 1995-06-20 (June 20, 1995)
SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE CAR YOU ALWAYS GET A SHOCK. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724406 · 2000-06-22 (June 22, 2000)
I JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK AND WAS AT WORK...THE TANK LEAKED ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT AND I LOST 1/2 A TANK OF GAS...THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD...MY GRANDSON COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR WHEN A FIRE COULD START...I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK OR I WILL LOSE MY JOB....IT IS UND=SAFE TO DRIVE THIS WAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958620 · 1995-01-12 (January 12, 1995)
VEHICLE RAN OVER OBJECT IN ROAD; REAR GAS TANK ERUPTED; VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958620 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
1989: 2; 1990: 2; 1991: 2; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 0; 1995: 1; 1996: 0; 1997: 1; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0