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1989 Geo Metro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Geo Metro do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 36.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 27 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

27 reports
68,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicStructureCrash

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

NHTSA ODI #10069031

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

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 …

Read full complaint

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 FURTHER DISCUSS THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. WE HAVE RELACED THE HOOD WITH A USED HOOD WHICH I AM SURE COULD POSSIBLY CONTAIN THE SAME DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER ON THE NHTSA SITE DID NOT MATCH THE GM CAMPAIGN AND FURTHER THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS SO OLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH. I AM IN THE MEANTIME DRIVING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE CAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM GM UNLESS I CALL THEM FOR STATUS AND WHEN I DO THEY HAVE NOTHING NEW TO TELL ME. I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND HOOD AT MY OWN COST AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY CURRENT HOOD IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. I DO NOT SEE ANY BOLTS IN THE LATCH WHICH IS THE REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754390

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH 0IL CARBURETOR. THE CONSUMER OIL SHOOTS UP INTO THE CARBURETOR, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DIE OUT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831327

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 1998
Seat Belts

WHEN THE SEATBELTS ARE IN USE THE BELTS LOCK UP TOO TIGHT AND WILL NOT LOOSEN UNTIL THE BELT BUCKLE COMES LOOSE. DEALER SAYS THAT IS HOW THEY WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #821338

Mileage unknown · May 27, 1997
Structure

OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE ON HOOD FAILURE BEFORE HOOD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #603360

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1996
Seat BeltsInjury

SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #510565

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1996
Structure

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SCREWS PULLED THREW FRAME BODY WITH HINGE ATTACHED, DOOR HUNG ONLY BY ONE SINGLE BOLT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #803687

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1996
Structure

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SCREWS PULLED THREW FRAME BODY WITH HINGE ATTACHED, ALLOWED TO HANG BY ONE SINGLE HINGE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #803686

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1996
Latches/locks/linkages

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

NHTSA ODI #802870

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 1996
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE DURING HEAD ON COLLISON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #801959

Official recalls

2

95V103007 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

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 & remedy

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.

93V189001 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Nov 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

5

EA95014 · Seat Belt Buckles Failure

Opened Apr 25, 1995 · Closed Jul 28, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

PE94092 · Takata Seat Blt Bckls Fail

Opened Dec 21, 1994 · Closed Apr 25, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

EA93006 · Hood FLY-UPS

Opened Feb 26, 1993 · Closed Nov 26, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

There is no summary currently available

Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE92085 · Hood FLY-UP

Opened Oct 26, 1992 · Closed Feb 19, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE90084 · Rear Suspension Fails

Opened May 30, 1990 · Closed Aug 14, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available