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1996 Geo Metro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Geo Metro do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 36.

About this comparison →
88Owner complaints

Model-year median: 36

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
50
199368
1994109
199588
199663
199733
199823
1999
Compare all Metro years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
28Electrical System
12Engine And Engine Cooling
9Service Brakes, Hydraulic
7Seats
6
All reported categories
Visibility
6Exterior Lighting
5Tires
5Power Train
4Suspension
4Vehicle Speed Control
4Seat Belts
3Structure
3Equipment
2Parking Brake
2Steering
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Wheels
1

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: 5 of 88 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports

Suspension complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
141,685 miles · Feb 21, 2009
StructureSuspension

I PURCHASED A 1996 GEO METRO SEDAN FROM A FRIEND AND I HAD DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARMS AND BROKE THE AXEL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO SEE THIS IN OTHER METROS. I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND IF THERE WAS I WOULD …

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 1996 GEO METRO SEDAN FROM A FRIEND AND I HAD DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARMS AND BROKE THE AXEL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO SEE THIS IN OTHER METROS. I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND IF THERE WAS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BECAUSE NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR. IF YOU COULD CONTACT ME THAT WOULD BE GREAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259525

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2005
EquipmentSuspension

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FRAME. THERE WAS SO MUCH LIQUID THAT THE FRAME HOLDING THE WHEEL RUSTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10113641

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 1997
Exterior LightingSuspensionVisibility

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #515522

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 1995
SuspensionVisibility

PASSENGER EJECTED OUT LEFT BACK WINDOW, RESULTING IN DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #483332

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.