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1991 Geo Prizm

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Geo Prizm do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →
46Owner complaints

Model-year median: 46

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
37
199046
199150
199277
1993134
1994
Compare all Prizm years →

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

What owners reported most

Structure
13Engine And Engine Cooling
10Seat Belts
6Electrical System
5Latches/locks/linkages
4
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Tires
3Equipment
2Power Train
2Steering
1Suspension
1Visibility
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: 3 of 46 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 6 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 reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2001
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLES /BRAKELIGHT BURNING OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF REPLACEMENT. EVERY GEO PRIZM I SEE ON THE ROADS TODAY HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HATE THE FEAR OF WONDERING WETHER OR NOT THEY BLEW WHILE I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE RISK OF GETTING A TICKET FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DE…

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLES /BRAKELIGHT BURNING OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF REPLACEMENT. EVERY GEO PRIZM I SEE ON THE ROADS TODAY HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HATE THE FEAR OF WONDERING WETHER OR NOT THEY BLEW WHILE I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE RISK OF GETTING A TICKET FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #755054

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

RIGHT REAR WINDOW IS VERY HARD TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. YH

NHTSA ODI #782010

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1996
Electrical SystemEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR, ALSO ALTERNATOR FAILED, CAUSING STARTING PROBLEMS; FOUL ODOR ENTERED VEHICLE FROM AIR CONDITIONER AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #510664

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 1996
Electrical System

SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER THE DASH BOARD, CAUSED WIRING TO MELT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #987052

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERHOOD WHILE DRIVING, ALL WIRES UNDERHOOD BURNED OUT, ALL WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED, SPEED 30 MPH, NO WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #986912

Official recalls

1

90V191000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Nov 9, 1990

LUG NUTS THAT RETAIN WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING OF LUG NUTS RETAINING THE WHEELCOVER AND WHEEL COULD RESULT IN A LOOSE WHEEL THAT COULD FALL OFF WITH POTENTIALFOR LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REMOVE ORIGINAL WHEEL COVER, TORQUE LUG TO SPECIFICATION, AND INSTALL FULL WHEEL COVERS THAT ARE RETAINED BY SPRING CLIPS.

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.