1997 GEO METRO

1 recalls, 90 complaints - 24 TSBs

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.

Consequence

IF THE SHIFT LEVER WERE TO COME OUT OF "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.

32,903 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

90 total complaints 14 crashes 3 fires 13 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)	2

Incident date: May 7, 2004

ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE ... Read more

Incident date: May 7, 2004

Incident date: Jan 1, 2005

THE CONSUMER SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN FROM 65 MPH AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC THEN LOOSENED O RINGS TO STOP THE NOISE AN... Read more

Incident date: Aug 30, 2002

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A WHEEL HAD COME OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF A TRACTOR TRAILER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHEEL SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *JB

Incident date: Nov 3, 2004

CONSUMER WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT OWNER AND WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 3, 2004

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 10, 2004

I HELPED MY MOTHER IN LAW PURCHASE A NEW 1997 GEO METRO FROM A DEALER IN 1997. I AM DISSATIFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT JOB. THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO ALSO BE HAPPENING ON THE HOOD. IN ADDITION THE CHROME PAINT HAS WORN OFF THE WHEEL COVERS LAST YEAR. WE ... Read more

Incident date: Jan 10, 2004

STALLING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS.*AK

Incident date: Apr 5, 2000

FRONT DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 1, 2003

CIGARETTE LIGHTER WHEN PRESSED IN WILL HURL OUTWARD INTO THE CAR WHEN IT IS HOT. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY UNLESS YOU HOLD ONTO THE LIGHTER. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS DEFECT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT USED AT A DEALERSHIP, IN 2/ 1999 THE INCIDENT DATE WAS CHOSEN AT RANDOM. *JB

Incident date: Feb 27, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

Crash

Incident date: Feb 23, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 20, 2000

BROUGHT CAR JULY 11, 2000-DEC. 20,2000-TRANSMISSION REPLACED-AUG. 23, 2002 THROUGH SEPT. 30, 2002-SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON CRANK SENSOR SEAL O-RING REPLACED, BURNING OIL, HAS A SHAKE TO IT WHEN DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN, AND ALL THIS HAPPENED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. MR

Incident date: Aug 1, 2002

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, VEHICLE ROLLED, JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK, UPROOTED A FENCE, THE TOP OF THE FENCE HIT THE WINDHSIELD CAUSING IT TO CRACK, THE FENCE WENT UP OVER THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE FROM THE FRONT, TO THE BACK. I HAVE THE ESTIMATE FROM THE BODY SHOP THAT I... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Aug 2, 2002

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED OFF, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK AND HIT A FENCE, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING IT. THE VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE FENCE AND THE FENCE SCRATCHED THE VEHICL... Read more

Incident date: Aug 2, 2002

Incident date: Jul 13, 2002

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A DEER, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK *JB

Crash

Incident date: Jul 15, 2000

AT 35-40MPH AND WITH NO WARNING, ENGINE STALLED, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CONNECTOR AT THE FUEL INJECTOR, THE CONNECTORS CONTACT HAD SLIGHTLY OPENED, CONSUMER CLOSED SOME OF THE CONTACTS AND NOW THE ENGINE RUNS WELL. *SLC

Incident date: Jun 1, 2001

DRIVER'S SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASE, TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR. WAS TOLD THERE IS NO REMEDY.*AK

Incident date: Jul 2, 2001

VEHICLE WAS GOING 70MPH AND BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. CONSUMER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR BURNS, BUT NO INJURIES FROM AIRBAGS. CONSUMER WILL ADD VIN TO FORM.

Incident date: Apr 1, 2000

WHEN PULLING OUT OR TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS ENGINE WILL STALL. THIS DEFECT TYPICALLY OCCURS DURING WARM TO HOT WEATHER ON A FREQUENT BASIS. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH, AND THAT GAS COULD HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED .*AK CONSUMER STATES THROTTLE AND DISTRIBUT... Read more

Incident date: Jun 24, 2000

AS CONSUMER WAS INSPECTING FIRESTONE (TUWSPS 15580R13) TIRES, CONSUMER NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRES HAD SPIKES OVER AN INCH LONG ALL AROUND THE INSIDE AND THE COLOR AROUND THE PERIMETER IS BROWN/RUST NOT BLACK. *JB

Incident date: May 22, 1998

WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO UP & DOWN PROPERLY. INTERFERES WITH DOOR REGULATOR. DOOR WOULD JAM. WINDOW TILTS FORWARD. HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. BEEN TO DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FIRST TIME. WARRANTY RAN OU. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. EACH TIME REPAIRED PROBLE... Read more

AFTER THE LEVER IS RELEASED FROM PARK AND PUT INTO REVERSE TO BACKUP THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAN EASILY SLIDE INTO NEUTRAL AND SLIDE INTO DRIVE WITHOUT EVER HAVING TO TOUCH THE BUTTON. NLM

Incident date: Feb 1, 2000

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOES NOT START. SOMETIMES GOES AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN COMES BACK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER TUNED UP VEHICLE TO FIX PROBLEM. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK THE MANUFACTURER HAD AGREED TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTION... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 2000

THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM

RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM

RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM

Incident date: Jun 1, 2000

WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK SHIFT GEAR WILL NOT STAY IN PARK POSITION. THIS COULD CAUSE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL NOT DISENGAGE OUT OF PARK POSITION. CONSUMER ALSO, RECALL 98V225001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98052 DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *AK A DIAGNOSIS D... Read more

Incident date: Feb 7, 2001

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE. FRONT WHEEL BROKE, AND VEHICLE ROLLED THREE TIMES AND LANDED ON ROOF UPSIDE DOWN, AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

Crash

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS DIFFICULTY GOING UP. *SLC

THE CONSUMER HEARS A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THINKS IT COULD BE THE REAR STABILIZER BAR. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING OVER 60 MPH, THE SAFETY BELT TREMBLES. *SLC

Incident date: Dec 21, 2000

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER AIR BAG FAILURES ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. THANK YOU. *AK

Crash 1 injured

CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP BROKE DOWN 10+TIMES IN TWO YEAR'S. EVERYTIME THEY SAY IT IS FIXED SOMETHING ELSE HAPPEN'S I AM HANDYCAP AND ON OXYGEN I HAVE GOT STUCK OUT IN MY CAR AT LEAST THREE TIMES WAITING FOR HELP. THE REASON I BOUGHT THE METRO IS FOR SAFETY I HAVE HAD NOTING BUT TROUBLE. ALL MY LIFE ... Read more

Incident date: May 22, 1997

THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT MARK CHRISTOPHER CHEV. IN ONTARIO, CA IN THE BEGINNING AND NOW ALL BRAKE REPAIRS SINCE 8-31-98 HAVE BEEN DONE THROUGH PEP BOYS IN RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA. NOBODY CAN SEEM TO TELL ME WHY THE BRAKES ARE WEARING OUT AS FAST AS THEY ARE (BESIDES LAYING THE BLAME ON EACH OTHER). I H... Read more

Incident date: Sep 9, 1999

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AXLE KEEPS FALLING OFF WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. GM HAS NOT PROVIDED HELP. *AK *ML

Incident date: Apr 11, 2000

THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. YH

FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN FUEL TANK IS ONLY HALF TO LESS THAN HALF EMPTY. FRIGHTNIG WHEN TRAVELING LONG DISTANCES AND NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE FUEL TO GET TO THE NEXT GAS STATION. *AK

SOMETIMES FAILS TO START FOR NO REASON.WILL STOP RUNNING EVEN DURING DRIVING.PROBLEM HAS BEEN CHECKED AND RECHECKED AND CANNOT BE FOUND.UNDEPENDABLE AND UNSAFE. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED BUT WAS NO HELP. POSSIBLY COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. SHOULD BE RECALLED. *AK

Showing 50 of 90 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1997 GEO METRO

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.0L 3-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	37.0	44.0	40.0	Regular	$1,550
1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	26.0	31.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200
1.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	33.0	39.0	35.0	Regular	$1,800

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, 1997 GEO METRO

24 manufacturer communications from 16 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	5
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.	4
353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES	3
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	2
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	2
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	2
036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	1
103500 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT	1

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and

353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock ce

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock c

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock c

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock c

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

199000 TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

350000 EQUIPMENT

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBR

353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.

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

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

103500 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

PRODUCT RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR VEHICLES EXHIBITING A CONDITION WHEREBY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN PARK, BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPR

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC

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