Geo STORM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
201 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
129,997 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 to 1995 model years. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 201 complaints (16.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 35 | 17.4% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 7.0% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 33 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 29 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 20 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 33; Air Bags:Frontal: 29; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 20; Electrical System:Ignition: 13; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 10; Electrical System: 9
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 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 189 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 | 44 |
| 1996 | 32 |
| 2000 | 42 |
| 2001 | 35 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 44; 1996: 32; 2000: 42; 2001: 35; 2002: 25; 2003: 15; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Module leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 35 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 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 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 ↗
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 10131943 · 2005-08-08 (August 8, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013914 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW, MY 1992 GEO STORM-4 CYL., HAS EXHIBITED RPM'S ABOVE 2000 WHEN IDLING AT A STOP WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 60 DEGREES F. I MUST KEEP THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY PRESSED TO THE FLOOR SINCE THE AUTO. TRANSMISSION WANTS TO ENGAGE. THIS SYMPTOM ALSO CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO ACT AS IF IT IS ENGAGED IN CRUISE CONTROL, ACCELERATING TO ABOUT 30 MPH, ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT OPTION INSTALLED IN THE CAR AT PURCHASE. I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH ISUZU'S, (THE GEO STORM …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755386 · 2001-12-07 (December 7, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007043 · 2000-10-15 (October 15, 2000)
FAULTY ECU IN MY CAR CAUSE ERRATIC IDLE, MISFIRING, AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN MY CAR AS WELL AS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. *JB *SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******734340
Owner-reported narrative. 191,498 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752415 · 2001-09-20 (September 20, 2001)
THIS CAR HAS HAD A HABIT OF STALLING WHILE GOIN DOWN THE ROAD, AT ANY SPEED( ONCE WHILE IN A SIX LANE HIGHWAY, CROSSING THE MERRIMACK RIVER, IN ST. LOUIS, MO. I HAVE HAD IT TO LEE KINSTLE CHEVROLET/GM, VAN WERT, OH, WINKLE CHEVROLET, PAULDING, OH, AND A CHEVROLET/GEO DEALER, IN BALWIN, MO. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME. I HAVE HAD A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, INCLUDING PLUGS, ROTOR. CAP, AND PLUG WIRES. I HAD ALL THE WIRING GONE OVER TWICE. A NEW FUEL PUMP, TWICE, AND IT STILL STOPS AT ANY MOMENT. I AM AFRAID SOMEONE WILL BE IN A CRASH, DUE TO LOSS OF POWER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978265 · 1996-01-26 (January 26, 1996)
VEHICLE MAKES JERKING MOTION PREMATURE STALLING. CONCLUSION FUEL PUMP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978265 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 | 3 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
1990: 3; 1991: 2; 1992: 1; 1993: 0; 1995: 0