THIS ECU PROBLEM IS VERY UNSAFE! IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SURGE AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN BRAKING OR FAIL TO STAY RUNNING IN TAFFIC. THE ECU ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND CUT-OUT AT HI-WAY SPEEDS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC.*AK
1991 Geo Storm
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1991 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: 3 of 90 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 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
19 reportsFAULTY ECM CAUSES ERRATIC IDLE SPEEDS. AFTER STARTING, ENGINE RPMS DROP AND ENGINE MAY STALL WITHIN 30 SECONDS EVERY TIME ENGINE IS STARTED. WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR IDLING, ENGINE WILL OFTEN STALL OUT. ENGINE WILL ALSO OFTEN REV TO OVER 2,000 RPMS. THIS HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A STOP. …
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FAULTY ECM CAUSES ERRATIC IDLE SPEEDS. AFTER STARTING, ENGINE RPMS DROP AND ENGINE MAY STALL WITHIN 30 SECONDS EVERY TIME ENGINE IS STARTED. WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR IDLING, ENGINE WILL OFTEN STALL OUT. ENGINE WILL ALSO OFTEN REV TO OVER 2,000 RPMS. THIS HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A STOP. THIS PROBLEM REPORTEDLY OCCURS DUE TO MALFUNCTION IN ECU DUE TO SHRINKAGE OF THE INSULATION USED ON IT.
THIS IS KNOWN TO BE AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND RELATED ISUZU VEHICLES. THE ITEM WAS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AND CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT FLARES UP, CAUSING THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
THE PROBLEM IS THAT BETWEEN 1985 AND 1995, 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 ELECTRONI…
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THE PROBLEM IS THAT BETWEEN 1985 AND 1995, 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. *AK
THE FIRST ECU WENT WHEN I WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THE RPMS WERE ERRATIC I GOT IT FIXED, ORDERED A NEW ECU COST ME $950. IT LASTED NO MORE THAN 3 MONTHS AND THE SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED ON THE NEW ONE. I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP SPENDING ALMOST $1000 EVERY THREE MONTHS. I ALSO DON'T WANT TO SELL THE CAR AND HAVE THE NEW OWNER HAVE…
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THE FIRST ECU WENT WHEN I WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THE RPMS WERE ERRATIC I GOT IT FIXED, ORDERED A NEW ECU COST ME $950. IT LASTED NO MORE THAN 3 MONTHS AND THE SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED ON THE NEW ONE. I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP SPENDING ALMOST $1000 EVERY THREE MONTHS. I ALSO DON'T WANT TO SELL THE CAR AND HAVE THE NEW OWNER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE CONTACTED ISUZU, AND GM. ISUZU SAID "THEY DO NOT MAKE CARS CAN'T HELP YOU" GM SAID ALMOST THE SAME THING "THATS COMMON" BUT YET THEY HAVE SWITCHED TO A NEW METHOD OF MAKING ECU'S/ECM'S.. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *AK
THE PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY 1991 GEO STORM GSI, IS EVERYTIME I'M AT A RED-LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WITH THE CAR AT A COMPLETE STOP, MY IDLE WILL SHOOT UP FROM THE NORMAL 800-900 RPMS, TO 2,000-3,000 RPMS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED STORM, SINCE YOU HAVE TO FIRMLY PRESS ON THE BRAKE PE…
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THE PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY 1991 GEO STORM GSI, IS EVERYTIME I'M AT A RED-LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WITH THE CAR AT A COMPLETE STOP, MY IDLE WILL SHOOT UP FROM THE NORMAL 800-900 RPMS, TO 2,000-3,000 RPMS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED STORM, SINCE YOU HAVE TO FIRMLY PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM LURKING FORWARD AND HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF YOU, OR INJURING OR EVEN KILLING A WALKING PEDESTRIAN THAT HAPPENS TO BE CROSSING THE STREET. IT IS ALSO A HAZARD FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS BECAUSE ENGAGING THE ENGINE AT 2,000-3,000 RPM WILL RESULT IN VIOLENT FORWARD MOTION. EXAMPLE: YOU ARE PULLED UP TO A STOPLIGHT AND YOUR FOOT ACCIDENTALLY SLIPS OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. IF YOUR CAR IS IDLING CORRECTLY AT 800 RPM, THE CAR MOVES A FOOT FORWARD AND THE ENGINE DIES, BUT IF THE VEHICLE IS IDILING AT 2,000-3,000 RPMS, THE VEHICLE WILL LAUCH FORWARD LIKE A ROCKET. SCENARIO TWO, THE ENGINE IS HOVERING AT 2,000 RPM, UNCONTROLLABLY, AND YOUR FOOT SLIPS OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. YOUR CAR BOLTS FORWARD RUNNING OVER THE PEDESTRIAN WHO HAPPENED TO BE CROSSING IN THE CROSSWALK. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY GEO STORM OWNERS HAVE, BUT HAVE HAD NO LUCK IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH GENERAL MOTORS. THE PROBLEM, FROM WHAT A SPECIALIZED MECHANIC TOLD ME, COULD BE THE ECM OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ENGINE CONTROL MODULE" WHICH IS THE ENGINE COMPUTER. ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED, AS WE VERY MUCH NEED IT AT THIS TIME FOR OUR SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. THANKS, EDUARDO ZABALLA. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/50/15 )
DUE TO A DEFECTIVE COMPUTER PROBLEM, VEHICLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WILL IDLE HIGH IN RPMS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHICH MAY RESULT A CRASH. *AK
CAR WAS PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY IT WAS OFF IT CUT IT SELF BACK ON AND OFF AND TIRE WAS TURNING. TT
VEHICLE STARTED UP BY ITSELF WITH NO KEYS IN IGNITION/NO DRIVER AND WENT UPHILL, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *SKD
Official recalls
295V103007 · 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.
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
Illustration