1997 Geo METRO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
30,925 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 37 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 21.6% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 16.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 13.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
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 | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2
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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
2000: 12; 2001: 10; 2002: 6; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 10004095 · 2002-12-21 (December 21, 2002)
THE CONSUMER NOTICED A WHEEL HAD COME OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF A TRACTOR TRAILER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHEEL SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009518 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011643 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018319 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
CIGARETTE LIGHTER WHEN PRESSED IN WILL HURL OUTWARD INTO THE CAR WHEN IT IS HOT. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY UNLESS YOU HOLD ONTO THE LIGHTER. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS DEFECT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT USED AT A DEALERSHIP, IN 2/ 1999 THE INCIDENT DATE WAS CHOSEN AT RANDOM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018321 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
FRONT DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022392 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
STALLING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052774 · 2004-01-10 (January 10, 2004)
I HELPED MY MOTHER IN LAW PURCHASE A NEW 1997 GEO METRO FROM A DEALER IN 1997. I AM DISSATIFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT JOB. THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO ALSO BE HAPPENING ON THE HOOD. IN ADDITION THE CHROME PAINT HAS WORN OFF THE WHEEL COVERS LAST YEAR. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR, WASHING , WAXING ETC AS WE HAVE ALL OUR OTHER VEHICLES SO I DON'T BELIEVE IMPROPER MAINTENACE IS THE CAUSE. IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099754 · 2004-12-10 (December 10, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT OWNER AND WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 19,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099754 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V225001 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 1998-09-21 (September 21, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.
Consequence: IF THE SHIFT LEVER WERE TO COME OUT OF "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗