1991 Geo STORM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
65 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 65 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 11 | 16.9% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 9.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.5% |
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 | 10 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 6 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 10; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 10; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 7; Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 6; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 62 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 | 12 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 16; 1996: 12; 2000: 15; 2001: 8; 2002: 9; 2003: 2; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10016050 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND ROTOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041562 · 2003-10-09 (October 9, 2003)
THE E.C.U. IS BAD IN MY 1991 GEO STORM 2+2. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041562 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 10232601 · 2008-06-28 (June 28, 2008)
7 MONTHS AND 5 REPLACEMENT ECUS ON MY 1991 GEO STORM GSI, AND STILL HAS DANGEROUS ISSUES OF STALLING ON HIGHWAY AND WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM IS THAT BETWEEN 1985 AND 1995, 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…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560245 · 2014-01-16 (January 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO STORM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481976 · 1995-02-15 (February 15, 1995)
VEHICLE STARTED UP BY ITSELF WITH NO KEYS IN IGNITION/NO DRIVER AND WENT UPHILL, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486492 · 1995-05-26 (May 26, 1995)
AIRBAG FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY, ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501082 · 1996-02-01 (February 1, 1996)
STEERING COLUMN LOOSE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501082 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.
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 ↗