1991 GEO METRO

2 recalls, 65 complaints - 2 TSBs

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Defect Description

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

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 SUR... Read more

466,902 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Defect Description

MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY ENGAGED HOOD LATCH MAY RESULT IN A HOODFLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEWAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

GM DEALERS WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

356,097 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

65 total complaints 7 crashes 1 fires 13 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH	12
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	9
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD	2

Incident date: Jun 25, 2004

WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident date: May 5, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR COLLISION WHERE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS BECAME UN-BUCKLED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER BEING EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND KILLED. RELATED RECALL 95V103007, MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDE... Read more

Crash 1 injured 1 deaths

Incident date: Aug 1, 2002

CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS IN MOTION WHEN THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND, FOLLOWED BY LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALL BRAKING AND STEERING POWER WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UNISTRUT FRAME ON THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN. CHEVROLET DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 6, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT HAD A FLAT, VEERING TO RIGHT. ALSO GRINDING NOISE. WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS TORN AND RUBBED ON WHEEL WELL FRAME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRAME WHERE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES FAILED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. *SLC

Incident date: Apr 6, 2001

Incident date: Jan 1, 2001

GUARDS THAT COVER FUEL LINES UNDERNEATH VEHICLE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *AK *SLC

Incident date: Jan 25, 2001

RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND SHOWED A RECALL ON THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY UNIT! MY HOOD FLUNG OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTERSTATE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO HIT THE MAIN WINSHIELD AND CRACK! LUCKILY THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF DID NOT IMPLODE AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH TO ME! AND LUCKILY THE INT... Read more

Incident date: May 5, 2000

DRIVER'S SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONED. IN A CRASH DRIVER WAS SEATBELTED, BUT SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, DEALER HAD FIXED THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT FOR THE RETRACTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Dec 17, 1999

VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE . SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED AT THE TIME. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOCATION/POSITIONING OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. RUBBER COATING ON THE FILLER TUBE FAILED, ALLOWING SALT FROM THE ROAD TO COME IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH METAL FILLER TUBE. TUBE IS LESS THAN 6 INCHES FROM LEFT REAR WHEE... Read more

Incident date: Oct 20, 1999

WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO RECALL EARLIER AND OUR DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE LATCH OR OFFER TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD BROKEN DUE TO THE HOOD FLYING UP AS OF 10/30/1999

CONSUMER RECIVED RECALL LETTER. WHEN DEALER WAS CONTACTED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

Incident date: Apr 12, 1996

THE CAR WAS STRUCK FROM BEHING AT A STOP LIGHT BY A BUS. THE SEAT BROKE BACKWARDS INJURING THE DRIVER, DUE TO LACK OF RESTRAINT.

1 injured

Incident date: Feb 26, 1999

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION OF STALLING AND DECELERATION DUE TO FACTORY INSTALLED FAULTY PARTS. NATIONAL SERVICE BULLETINS 92-362-6A & 91-442-6E (BOTH ISSUED WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY) INDICATE THE NEED FOR "REVISED" PARTS. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM INHE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 13, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PUT THE WINDSHIELD BACK DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROLBEM. *AK

Incident date: Jun 29, 1998

CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 95V103007. CONSUMER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE REPLACED WITHIN A SIX YEAR PERIOD. *AK

THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT LOCK UP WHEN PULLED ABRUPTLY. *AK

Incident date: Dec 31, 1997

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASH. DOES RECALL EXSIST.

Incident date: Jun 27, 1996

HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD (FLEW OPEN), CONSUMER HAD NO NOTICE OF PRIOR RECALL ON LATCH.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

Incident date: May 26, 1995

HOOD OF DRIVERS CAR FLEW UP DUE TO LATCH FAILURE SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD. WAS REPAIRED ONCE BUT THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN.

Incident date: Aug 12, 1997

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103007). CALLED DEALER & TOOK VEHICLE IN; DEALER NEVER DID REPAIRS. RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE & DID SAME THING. AGAIN DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR. GOT A 3RD NOTICE & AGAIN NO REPAIR FROM DEALER. WAS INFORMED DID NOT HAVE TIME TO REPAIR VEHICLE & DID NOT KNOW WHEN ABLE T... Read more

Incident date: Oct 6, 1997

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103007). CALLED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT & TOOK VEHICLE. WAS INFORMED, AFTER ARRIVING, THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS. TOOK VEHICLE HOME. LEFT TOWN FOR A WHILE. RETURNED & CALLED DEALER TO SEE IF THEY HAVE PARTS AFTER 5 MONTHS, STILL NO PARTS. *AK

Incident date: Mar 27, 1995

SEATBELT FAILED IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.

2 injured

THE MECHANICS WITHIN DRIVER'S/PASSENGER DOORS ARE CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BE SCRATCHED AND LIMITED VISIBILITY. *AK

Incident date: Jul 2, 1997

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35MPH WHEN SHE WAS REARENDED. AT THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN HITTING A POLE AND A TREE. CONSUMER WAS INJURED DUE TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 2, 1997

Crash 1 injured

WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, VEHICLE WAS HIT RIGHT FRONT BY ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE, SPEED UNKNOWN, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER'S DRESS CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING 4 INCH HOLE, DRIVER RECEIVED FACIAL BURNS; INCIDENT REPORTED BY CHRIS KILLAM, FIRE MARSHALL. *AK

Crash Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 17, 1997

CONVERTIBLE TOP LATCH CRACKED, WILL LOCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE BUT NOT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

Incident date: Feb 10, 1994

DEALER FIXED THE RECALL ON THE HOOD ASSEMBLY, BUT NOW THE HOOD HAS CRACKED ALL AROUND THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN FOR THE SAME RECALL NOTICE. *AK

WHEN CAR IS WARM PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR GETS NO RESPONSE. *AK

DRIVER/PASS. WINDOW SLIPS OFF TRACK AND FALLS INSIDE DOOR, ALSO EXPERIENCES KEY BREAKAGE IN IGNITION AND HATCHBACK DOOR. *AK

Incident date: Aug 24, 1996

WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD FLEW UP AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY AT APPROX. 50MPH, SUDDENLY HOOD FLEW UP, SHATTERING WINDSHIELD, BENDING HOOD, GLASS THROUGH OUT INTERIOR, VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR HOOD LATCH DEFECT, DLR REPLACED HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY.

Incident date: Mar 10, 1995

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE. *SD

Incident date: Apr 8, 1996

HOOD LATCH FAILED TWICE, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP/BLOCK DRIVERS VISION. *DH

Incident date: Oct 1, 1995

HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY SEPARATED, CAUSING HOOD TO STRIKE WINDSHIELD. *SD

Incident date: Oct 21, 1995

DRIVING VEHICLE ON I-90, ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION, VEHICLE HIT ROCKS IN ROAD/FLIPPED OVER, DRIVER THROWN FROM VEHICLE, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 5, 1995

SEAT LATCH BROKE WHEN VEHICLE REAR ENDED, CAUSING INJURIES. *DSH

3 injured

THE HOOD HAS BEEN REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL AND THE LATCH STILL DOESN'T WORK 93V189001. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 1995

SEAT BELTS FAILED 3 TIMES. *SD

Incident date: Oct 1, 1995

DOOR LOCKS FAILED 3 TIMES. *SD

Incident date: Feb 7, 1996

METAL PLATE THAT SECURES DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. TT

Showing 50 of 65 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1991 GEO METRO

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.0L 3-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	31.0	35.0	33.0	Regular	$1,900
1.0L 3-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	37.0	45.0	40.0	Regular	$1,550

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1991 GEO METRO

2 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
151100 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	1
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)	1

061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

151100 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

UNKNOWN

NHTSA Safety Investigations, GEO METRO

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1989

SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE