1990 Geo STORM: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10058249 · 2004-02-16 (February 16, 2004)
UPON FINDING OUT THAT THE IS A RECALL CALL ON MY 1990 GEO STORM THAT AFFECT THE SEAT SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP BOTH REFUSED TO RUSH THE PARTS NEEDED TO AFFECT THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME THAT IF I WISHED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ALL THE RETRAINT SYSTEMS IN THE FRONT UNDER RECALL IT WAS MY OWN PROBLEM AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN SHIP THE PARTS BY AIR. MY SAFETY ISN'T WORTH AIR FRIEGHT. THE CAR IS ILLEGAL TO OPERATE ON THE STREETS WITH DEFECTIVE SEATBELTSL THIS SAFETY RECALL IS IN MY OPINION NOT BEING DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY MATTE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483041 · 1995-08-16 (August 16, 1995)
MUFFLER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483041 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 548100 · 2001-07-06 (July 6, 2001)
THE WIRE CONNECTING TO THE PAWL, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE MANUAL LEVER TO THE PAWL OPPOSITE THE LEVER APPEARS TO BE ENGAGED BUT IS ONLY PARTUALLY ENGAGED, WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS THE PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT IS PULLED OUT BY THE UNENGAGED SIDE RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD, AS A RESULT THE OCCUPANT'S SUSTAINS LOWER LEG OR FOOT INJURIES IN OFFSET FRONTAL CRASHES. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 548100 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 720297 · 2000-03-18 (March 18, 2000)
EVERY SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR IN AUG OF 1999 THE STRUTS OR SHOCKS, WHICHEVER IT HAS,HAVE BEEN SHOT...THE CAR ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR A DIP... THE SCARIEST PART OF THAT IS THAT IT HAPPENS MORE ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALSO HAVE THREE KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME, IVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES...CANT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PART IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE....ALSO THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS NOT OPENED SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR....IVE TRIED WORKING ON IT BUT ITS JUST TO HARD TO GET THE PANEL OFF THE DOOR...EARLIER THIS MON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721508 · 2000-04-15 (April 15, 2000)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721759 · 2000-04-21 (April 21, 2000)
PROBLEM WITH THE ECU IS A GMC MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE ECU. ECU HAS PROBLEM WITH BOARD LAMINATE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND CHIP CONNECTIONS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY GM FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL GEO STORMS. EXHAUST HEADER IS MADE OF IRON AND RUSTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION. A FEW YEARS AFTERWARDS, EXHAUST HEADER WILL CRACK AND MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DEALER WITH SAME PART, FREE OF CHARGE, EVERY TIM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721759 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V203000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 1989-11-16 (November 16, 1989)
WHEN USING FRONT SEATBACK RELEASE LEVERS TO TIP FRONT SEATBACK FORWARD TO GAIN ENTRY TO, OR EXIT FROM , THE REAR SEAT, IT IS POSSIBLE TO INSERT A FINGER INTO THE SEATBACK HINGE MECHANISM.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FINGER BEING PINCHED ANDPOSSIBLY SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Remedy: REPAIR TO PREVENT CONDITION THAT WOULD PERMIT FINGER INJURY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V091001 · Air Bags
Reported: 1992-07-06 (July 6, 1992)
THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Consequence: FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Remedy: A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
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 ↗