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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

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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

4 reports
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190,000 miles · Nov 17, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC USED FOR DOOR KNOBS DISINTEGRATED AND WERE INOPERABLE FOR THE PASSENGER DOORS. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO FRACTURED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE PARTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MIL…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC USED FOR DOOR KNOBS DISINTEGRATED AND WERE INOPERABLE FOR THE PASSENGER DOORS. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO FRACTURED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE PARTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10366549

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 · Mar 13, 1996
Latches/locks/linkages

HOOD; FAILURE ON THE HOOD, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #980642

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1996
Latches/locks/linkages

PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE HOOD LATCHES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #977966

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.