IllustrationSOME ONE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM SO I CAN BUY A NEW ECM. *AK
1990 Geo Storm
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 Geo Storm do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 50.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Storm years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 45 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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
9 reportsI HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PICK-UP COIL AND IGNITOR MODULE REPLACE AT 132,563 MILES. NOW BEGINNING BEFORE 189,000 MILES AND AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING (COLD OR HOT) ARE STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. YESTERDAY, 4/17/2001 THE CAR WOULD NOT START I. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THEN, HE REALIZED THAT VEHICLE WOULDN'T RESPOND. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK CONSUMER STATES IGNITION MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB
PROBLEM WITH THE ECU IS A GMC MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE ECU. ECU HAS PROBLEM WITH BOARD LAMINATE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND CHIP CONNECTIONS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY GM FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL GEO STORMS. EXHAUST HEADER IS MADE …
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PROBLEM WITH THE ECU IS A GMC MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE ECU. ECU HAS PROBLEM WITH BOARD LAMINATE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND CHIP CONNECTIONS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY GM FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL GEO STORMS. EXHAUST HEADER IS MADE OF IRON AND RUSTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION. A FEW YEARS AFTERWARDS, EXHAUST HEADER WILL CRACK AND MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DEALER WITH SAME PART, FREE OF CHARGE, EVERY TIME IT BREAKS, OR REPLACED WITH A COMPONENT THAT WILL NOT RUST AND CRACK. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AC DELCO USED A INSULATIVE SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS IN THESE ECUS/COMPUTERS WHICH SHRINKS OVER TIME WHEN EXPOSED TO WARM AND COOL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, SUCH AS THE NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT AN AUTOMOBILE IS SUBJECTED TO. THE SHRINKING INSULATIVE SPRAY CONTRACTS AND PULLS THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD, BREAKI…
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AC DELCO USED A INSULATIVE SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS IN THESE ECUS/COMPUTERS WHICH SHRINKS OVER TIME WHEN EXPOSED TO WARM AND COOL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, SUCH AS THE NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT AN AUTOMOBILE IS SUBJECTED TO. THE SHRINKING INSULATIVE SPRAY CONTRACTS AND PULLS THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD, BREAKING SOLDER CONNECTIONS AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS FAULT ARE MOST NOTABLY ERRATIC IDLE, IDLE REVVING AND DROPPING, IDLE DIPPING OFTEN WITH ENGINE DYING, IDLE HANGING HIGH ABOVE 2,000 RPM, AND ENGINE DYING OR STALLING FOR NO REASON WITH NO TROUBLE CODES. *AK
ECM FAILURE BEGAN SLIGHTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 80000 MILES ON IT. ENGINE WOULD RUN, THEN SHUT DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHICH COULD BE A SEVERE HAZARD. MECHANIC IDENTIFIED PROBLEM, AND DEALERSHIP REPORTED THEY HAD SEEN MANY STORMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THEN I HAVE SPOKEN TO 20 OR 30 OTHER STORM OWNERS WHO…
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ECM FAILURE BEGAN SLIGHTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 80000 MILES ON IT. ENGINE WOULD RUN, THEN SHUT DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHICH COULD BE A SEVERE HAZARD. MECHANIC IDENTIFIED PROBLEM, AND DEALERSHIP REPORTED THEY HAD SEEN MANY STORMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THEN I HAVE SPOKEN TO 20 OR 30 OTHER STORM OWNERS WHOS CARS DEVELOPED SIMIALR PROBLEMS AFTER 3 YEARS OR 80000 MILES DEPENDING ON HOW CAR WAS DRIVEN. WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECIEVE FURTHER CORRESPONDANCE ON ABILITY TO HAVE CAR RECALLED ON SUCH PREMISES. *AK
REPLACE ALTERNATOR 4 TIMES, POSSIBLE BECAUSE A HEAT SHEILD IS NEEDED, VEHICLE RESULTS IN STALLING OUT. TT
FIRE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, POSSIBLY DUE TO SHORT IN TAIL LIGHT WIRING. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
Official recalls
395V103007 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
May 24, 1995
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
92V091001 · Air Bags
Jul 6, 1992
THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Remedy: A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
89V203000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Nov 16, 1989
WHEN USING FRONT SEATBACK RELEASE LEVERS TO TIP FRONT SEATBACK FORWARD TO GAIN ENTRY TO, OR EXIT FROM , THE REAR SEAT, IT IS POSSIBLE TO INSERT A FINGER INTO THE SEATBACK HINGE MECHANISM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FINGER BEING PINCHED ANDPOSSIBLY SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Remedy: REPAIR TO PREVENT CONDITION THAT WOULD PERMIT FINGER INJURY.
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
2PE95035 · Steering Column Loosening
Opened Jun 7, 1995 · Closed Oct 10, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA95014 · Seat Belt Buckles Failure
Opened Apr 25, 1995 · Closed Jul 28, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available