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: 0 of 50 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 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. 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.
4 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
50 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2008
Child Seat
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 GEO PRIZM AND A 2008 DOREL JUVENILE GROUP SAFETY 1ST RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22147-MDR. THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 13, 2008. WHILE THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED IN THE REAR-FACING CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT, THE RESTRAINT BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE AND ENABLED THE CHILD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 GEO PRIZM AND A 2008 DOREL JUVENILE GROUP SAFETY 1ST RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 22147-MDR. THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 13, 2008. WHILE THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED IN THE REAR-FACING CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT, THE RESTRAINT BUCKLE FAILED TO RELEASE AND ENABLED THE CHILD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE HARNESS BUCKLE; HOWEVER, THE HARNESS STRAPS AND CHILD WERE PULLED OUT OF THE RESTRAINT SEAT WITH A STRUGGLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10247344
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS/ PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10105111
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
ON JUNE 4TH, 2001 VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, CAUSING IT TO RUN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD JUST SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN TO 2 TO 5 MPH. BODY SHOP IS IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER. *AK INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND INFORMED CONS…
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ON JUNE 4TH, 2001 VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, CAUSING IT TO RUN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD JUST SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN TO 2 TO 5 MPH. BODY SHOP IS IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER. *AK INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT UNDERTAKE AN EXAMINATION AS IT WOULD NOT BE COST EFFECTIVE. IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER LUBED THE SWITCH. EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED. BATTERY REPLACED. STARTER REPLACED. TIMING BELT REPLACED. RADIATOR REPLACED. BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS TURNED TWICE, BRAKE SPRING KIT INSTALLED. ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS CORRODED AXLE WHOSE COVER HAS BEEN DESTROYED, NEEDS REPLACED. *SCL
NHTSA ODI #889820
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Tires
VALVE STEM LEAKS CAUSED THE 3 OF 4 MICHELIN TIRES TO GO FLAT THE DAY AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #558677
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2000
Structure
3 OUT OF 4 DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN WHERE PLASTIC HOUSING IS LOCATED, CAUSING DOOR HANDLES TO BE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER WILL HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW TO USE OUT DOOR HANLDE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #872632
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #727630
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
StructureVisibility
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF. ALSO, FRONT WINDSHIELD DOES NOT BECOME CLEAN IN FOG.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865192
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
Power Train
I WAS ON MY WAY TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR. MY FATHER HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A PLACE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE CH…
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I WAS ON MY WAY TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR. MY FATHER HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A PLACE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE CHECKED. THEY PUT A TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT WAS RUNNING PRETTY GOOD BUT AFTER A WEEK OR SO THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES. MY DAD TOOK MY CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ON HIS WAY HOME ,THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS JUST PUT IN THE CAR LOCKED UP ON HIM. I DID NOT FILL OUT THE DEALER INFORMATION BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE OWNER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720146
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2000
Structure
I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THESE FAILURES. NO DEFECT(S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717138
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING A HELICOPTER-LIKE BLADE SOUND CAME FROM CAR. CHARGED FOR FUEL PUMP ALTHOUGH FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838826
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.
1992 Geo Prizm Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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