1989 Geo METRO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 21 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 5 |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 3 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 5; Structure:Body:Hood: 3; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 20 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 | 10 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 9; 2001: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
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 485198 · 1996-06-20 (June 20, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK BRACKET HOLS=DINGF THE SRICER'S BACK SEAT BROKE, DRIVER FELL INTO REAR OF VEHICLE. DON HAROUFFI <[email removed]. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489264 · 1995-04-21 (April 21, 1995)
HOOD BRACKET BROKE, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP, LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND ACCIDENT, PRIOR TO RECALL. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507963 · 1996-08-27 (August 27, 1996)
HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 754390 · 2001-11-11 (November 11, 2001)
ON OCTOBER 8, 2001, THE HOOD OF OUR 1989 GEO METRO FLEW UP AND CRACKED OUR WINDSHIELD, DESTROYED THE HOOD AND OBSCURED OUR VISION. AFTER TALKING WITH ANOTHER GEO OWNER WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON GEO METROS FOR A HOOD LATCH DEFECT. WHEN LOOKING AT OUR HOOD IT WAS EVIDENT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED HAS THE SPOT WELDS DID NOT HOLD. I CONTACTED THIS SITE FIRST AND IT APPEARS THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN FOR THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, WHEN CALLING THE DEALER TO PROCEED I WAS TOLD MY CAR DID NOT COME UP FOR A RECALL IN THE SYSTEM. I THEN CONTACTED GM TO F…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 754390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800352 · 1996-08-01 (August 1, 1996)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT HOOD CAME OPEN, ALMOST ACCIDENT, COULDN'T SEE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801959 · 1996-09-06 (September 6, 1996)
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE DURING HEAD ON COLLISON. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802870 · 1996-09-24 (September 24, 1996)
THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. CAUSING THE HOOD TO OPEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. RECAL NO 93 V 189 001 FOR THE HOOD LATCHES, HAD BEEN FIXED ON 2-17-96.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802870 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
93V189001 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 1993-11-23 (November 23, 1993)
MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY ENGAGED HOOD LATCH MAY RESULT IN A HOODFLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEWAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V103007 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗