1990 Geo STORM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 33 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 15.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.1% |
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 | 6 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 9; 2000: 9; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 501340 · 1996-02-08 (February 8, 1996)
STEERING COLUMN MOVES UP AND DOWN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968561 · 1995-07-11 (July 11, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING INTO DRIVEWAY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718427 · 2000-02-07 (February 7, 2000)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742889 · 2001-03-22 (March 22, 2001)
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 RECOUR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734836 · 2000-10-20 (October 20, 2000)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863637 · 2000-06-15 (June 15, 2000)
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES SO THAT VEHICLE WOULD SLOWDOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE COMING THOUGH THE VENT AREA. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863637 at NHTSA ↗