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1997 Geo Metro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Geo Metro do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 36.

About this comparison →
63Owner complaints

Model-year median: 36

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
68
1994109
199588
199663
199733
199823
199919
2000
Compare all Metro years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
14Power Train
11Air Bags
8Service Brakes, Hydraulic
7Fuel System, Gasoline
5
All reported categories
Visibility
5Seats
4Structure
4Vehicle Speed Control
4Seat Belts
3Suspension
3Tires
3Unknown Or Other
3Electrical System
2Exterior Lighting
2Parking Brake
2Steering
2Wheels
2Equipment
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: 4 of 63 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Tires complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainTires

ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, THE O…

Read full complaint

ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, THE OIL SWITCH WAS BAD, AND THE PCV VALVE WAS BAD. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHEED THE 25 MPH MARK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10110924

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2001
Tires

AS CONSUMER WAS INSPECTING FIRESTONE (TUWSPS 15580R13) TIRES, CONSUMER NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRES HAD SPIKES OVER AN INCH LONG ALL AROUND THE INSIDE AND THE COLOR AROUND THE PERIMETER IS BROWN/RUST NOT BLACK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #560362

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AT TIME OF SALE ALL OF THE GOODYEAR TIRES WERE WORN OUT.

NHTSA ODI #540069

Official recalls

1

98V225001 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Sep 21, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SHIFT LEVER WERE TO COME OUT OF "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.

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.