Geo PRIZM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
366 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
104,662 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 65 of 366 complaints (17.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 32 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 4.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 1.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.5% |
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 | 65 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 29 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 27 |
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 13 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 11 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 10 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 65; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 29; Structure:Body:Door: 27; Air Bags: 20; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 13; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 11; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 10
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 321 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 | 78 |
| 1996 | 52 |
| 2000 | 65 |
| 2001 | 57 |
| 2002 | 37 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 23 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
1995: 78; 1996: 52; 2000: 65; 2001: 57; 2002: 37; 2003: 17; 2004: 23; 2005: 9; 2006: 6; 2007: 2; 2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2016: 1; 2019: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 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 503819 · 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
BRAKES VIBRATED WHEN APPLIED AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982221 · 1996-04-02 (April 2, 1996)
FAILURE OFTHE BRAKE UNIT, WHEN YOU APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SHAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 974139 · 1995-10-30 (October 30, 1995)
STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL VEHICLE, IMPACT 12:00 SPEED 28MPH, FLIP OVER. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968798 · 1995-07-14 (July 14, 1995)
UNDER THE STEERING THE SHAFT CAME APART. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10370457 · 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WERE DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE WIRING AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986912 · 1996-07-16 (July 16, 1996)
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERHOOD WHILE DRIVING, ALL WIRES UNDERHOOD BURNED OUT, ALL WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED, SPEED 30 MPH, NO WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976453 · 1995-12-12 (December 12, 1995)
UPON USING THE ACCESSORIES VEHICLE STALLS. RENDERING WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500032 · 1995-11-22 (November 22, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 848503 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, AND VEHICLE HESITATES AND MAKES LOUD NOISES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 848503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720146 · 2000-03-15 (March 15, 2000)
I WAS ON MY WAY TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR. MY FATHER HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A PLACE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE CHECKED. THEY PUT A TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT WAS RUNNING PRETTY GOOD BUT AFTER A WEEK OR SO THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES. MY DAD TOOK MY CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ON HIS WAY HOME ,THE TRANSMISSI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964335 · 1995-04-25 (April 25, 1995)
FLAMES AROUND OPENING OF GAS TANK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764122 · 2002-07-12 (July 12, 2002)
IN ADDITION TO THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING PROPERLY (EXCESSIVE CRANK TIME) THE VEHICLE HAS SUDDEN REDUCTIONS IN SPEED (NOT NORMAL SLOW DOWN) WHEN RELEASING GAS PEDAL. IT IS AS IF THE FUEL IS SUDDENLY CUT OFF SIGNIFICANTLY,CAUSING CAR TO SLOW ERRATICALLY. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND REGULATOR. CAR STILL HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS RELATING TO JERKING WHEN RELEASING PEDAL. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME WITH ONLY 1,230 MILES ON THE CAR AND THEY INDICATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764122 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 |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1990: 0; 1991: 1; 1992: 0; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 2; 1996: 0; 1997: 1; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0