1991 Geo PRIZM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
190,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Door is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 32 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Door | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Structure:Body:Door: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 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 | 3 |
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: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 29 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 | 16 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
1995: 16; 1996: 5; 2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2005: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 3
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Door leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10108656 · 2005-01-21 (January 21, 2005)
TIRES HAVE BELT SEPARATIONS AND AS WELL AIR BUBBLES WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BLOW. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED, SHORTLY AFTER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10108656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285366 · 2009-09-16 (September 16, 2009)
1991 GEO PRISM HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, BEFORE HITTING THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0738-90.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10285366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10366545 · 2010-11-17 (November 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CARBON MONOXIDE WAS PRESENT BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 190,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10366549 · 2010-11-17 (November 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC USED FOR DOOR KNOBS DISINTEGRATED AND WERE INOPERABLE FOR THE PASSENGER DOORS. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO FRACTURED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE PARTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 190,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366549 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 478143 · 1995-01-06 (January 6, 1995)
WHEN PULLING ON INSIDE DOOR RELEASE HANDLE, PLATE BEHIND IT BROKE TWICE, DISABLING DOOR RELEASE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481211 · 1995-02-13 (February 13, 1995)
ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481483 · 1995-01-20 (January 20, 1995)
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481483 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.
90V191000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 1990-11-09 (November 9, 1990)
LUG NUTS THAT RETAIN WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING OF LUG NUTS RETAINING THE WHEELCOVER AND WHEEL COULD RESULT IN A LOOSE WHEEL THAT COULD FALL OFF WITH POTENTIALFOR LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REMOVE ORIGINAL WHEEL COVER, TORQUE LUG TO SPECIFICATION, AND INSTALL FULL WHEEL COVERS THAT ARE RETAINED BY SPRING CLIPS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗