1990 GEO PRIZM

1 recalls, 54 complaints

10E002000 Feb 11, 2010
SUSPENSION
Defect Description
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE ... Read more
Consequence
THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
12,657 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: RIDE CONTROL, LLC

Complaint Statistics

54 total complaints 5 crashes 2 fires 6 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2
WHEELS1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jun 2, 2006
Incident date: Jun 2, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE SEAT BELT IS USED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED; THE SEAT BELT COULD NO LONGER BE REPLACED DUE TO THE ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Apr 15, 2002
Incident date: Jun 14, 1998
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
TIRES Apr 26, 1999
Incident date: Feb 24, 1999
GENERAL TIRES UPC 20111G165-80R18, SIZE 165-80-13. CONSUMER PURCHASED TIRES ON 02/29/96. WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, TIRES FELL APART. WIRES/ RUBBER CAME OUT. DAMAGE DONE TO FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES AT OWN EXP... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Nov 27, 1998
Incident date: Feb 19, 1998
DOORS MISALIGNED AND NOT FITTING PROPERLY CAUSING THE SENSOR TO LIGHT (NOT CLOSING PROPERLY).
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Nov 27, 1998
Incident date: Feb 19, 1998
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Nov 27, 1998
Incident date: Feb 19, 1998
TRANSMISSION FELL OUT DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BOLTS.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER Nov 27, 1998
Incident date: Feb 19, 1998
STRUTS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION AND PULLING.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT Nov 27, 1998
Incident date: Feb 19, 1998
STRUTS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION AND PULLING.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Nov 27, 1998
Incident date: Feb 19, 1998
FRAME MISALIGNED CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRES.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Oct 25, 1998
NONE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Oct 25, 1998
NONE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Sep 22, 1998
SEAT BELTS COME APART.
SUSPENSION Aug 23, 1998
Incident date: Jun 1, 1992
DOOR HANDLES MALFUNCTIONED. GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE. REAR STRUTS WE WORN IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. DEALER REFUSED TO STAND BY WARRANTY.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT Aug 11, 1998
Incident date: Jun 20, 1998
CV JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jul 8, 1998
Incident date: Jun 3, 1998
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LURCHED INTO A STOP. THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THAT THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
SUSPENSION:REAR Feb 5, 1998
Incident date: Oct 1, 1997
AXLE FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Feb 5, 1998
Incident date: Aug 26, 1997
ENGINE FAILED.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Jan 14, 1998
Incident date: Mar 1, 1991
ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION Dec 28, 1997
Incident date: May 1, 1997
VEHICLE COMES TO AN ABRUPT STOP, LIKE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AFTER THE SECOND INSTANCE, THE VEHICLE WILL STARTS BUT WILL NOT MOVE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Jan 2, 1997
Incident date: Dec 10, 1996
ALTERNATOR FAILED THREE TIMES. *AK
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT Oct 21, 1996
REAR HATCH HYDRAULIC UNITS FAILED TO SUPPORT HATCH WHEN LIFTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Aug 8, 1996
PLASTIC COVER FEMALE PORTION WHICH HOLDS BUCKLE IN PLACE HAS DETACHED FROM SEAT BELT, RENDERING PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.*AK
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Aug 5, 1996
Incident date: Jul 21, 1996
FAILURE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE.*AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK Aug 5, 1996
Incident date: Jul 21, 1996
FAILURE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE.*AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING Jul 31, 1996
Incident date: Jan 1, 1996
REPLACED FRONT END BEARINGS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 31, 1996
Incident date: Jan 1, 1996
REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY Jul 31, 1996
Incident date: Jan 1, 1996
REPLACED STARTER TWICE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Jul 31, 1996
Incident date: Jan 1, 1996
REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO VIBRATION. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER Jul 31, 1996
Incident date: Jan 1, 1996
REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER TWICE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jul 22, 1996
Incident date: Dec 1, 1995
SEAT BELT BUCKLE PLASTIC LATCH PLATE BROKE. *DH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Jul 8, 1996
Incident date: Jul 20, 1995
WHEN DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS May 9, 1996
Incident date: Apr 1, 1995
BRAKES VIBRATED WHEN APPLIED AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. *DSH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Apr 29, 1996
Incident date: Sep 1, 1995
REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT, CONTINUES TO FAIL, AFTER REPLACEMENT OF 6 TIMES. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Apr 29, 1996
Incident date: Sep 1, 1995
REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT, CONTINUES TO FAIL, AFTER REPLACEMENT OF 6 TIMES. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Apr 2, 1996
Incident date: Apr 1, 1996
FAILURE OFTHE BRAKE UNIT, WHEN YOU APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SHAKES. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Feb 29, 1996
Incident date: Jan 30, 1996
HEADLIGHT GLARE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC REFLECTS IN WINDSHIELD, BLINDING DRIVER. *SD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Feb 29, 1996
Incident date: Jan 30, 1996
HEADLIGHT GLARE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC REFLECTS IN WINDSHIELD, BLINDING DRIVER. *SD
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH Jan 16, 1996
WHEN DRIVING AND PARKED CAR THE HOOD LATCH CAME LOOSE . TT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Jan 4, 1996
Incident date: Jul 15, 1995
THE CAR SET ON FIRE FROM A SHORT IN LIGHT REAR BULB. TT *JB
Fire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jan 4, 1996
Incident date: Jul 15, 1995
THE CAR SET ON FIRE FROM A SHORT IN LIGHT REAR BULB. TT *JB
Fire
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD Oct 31, 1995
Incident date: Oct 1, 1995
VEHICLE'S HOOD FLEW OPEN AND DAMAGE THE WINDSHIELD AND THE HOOD ITSELF, IT HAPPENDED TWICE. TT
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Oct 30, 1995
Incident date: Oct 24, 1995
STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL VEHICLE, IMPACT 12:00 SPEED 28MPH, FLIP OVER. TT
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Jul 21, 1995
Incident date: May 26, 1995
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. *AW
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Jul 6, 1995
Incident date: May 26, 1995
DRIVER LAP AND SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK UP DURING IMPACT, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *AK
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jun 22, 1995
Incident date: May 21, 1995
THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOCKED THE OCCUPANT IN AND WOULD NOT RELEASE AND IT IS A TAKATA SEAT BELT. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Jun 15, 1995
Incident date: May 26, 1995
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD DRIVER IN PLACE UPON REAR ENDING ANOTHER CAR. TT
Crash 1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Jun 9, 1995
Incident date: May 22, 1995
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSE UPON REAR IMPACT. TT
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN May 26, 1995
THE DESIGN OF THE HORN IS HARD TO FIND WHEN DRIVING. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Mar 23, 1995
Incident date: Nov 18, 1994
RADIATOR REPLACED DUE TO CORD LEAKING. *SKD
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jan 30, 1995
Incident date: Aug 3, 1994
DURING HEAD ON COLLISION AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
Crash 1 injured

Showing 50 of 54 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 GEO PRIZM

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 22.0 26.0 24.0 Regular $2,600
1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 21.0 28.0 23.0 Regular $2,700
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 24.0 31.0 27.0 Regular $2,300
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 22.0 29.0 25.0 Regular $2,500

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

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

NHTSA Safety Investigations, GEO PRIZM

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

EA97015 Opened: Jul 22, 1997 , Closed: Sep 21, 1998
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1993
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
There is no summary currently available

GEO PRIZM - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the GEO PRIZM across all model years (1989, 1997).

16 Total Recalls
800 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
197 Reported Crashes
25 Reported Fires
2 Reported Deaths

GEO PRIZM - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2002 0 3 View
2001 0 9 View
2000 0 9 View
1999 0 33 View
1998 0 11 View
1997 2 63 View
1996 1 68 View
1995 3 130 View
1994 3 173 View
1993 2 95 View
1992 1 75 View
1991 2 72 View
1990 (current) 1 54
1989 1 0 View

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GEO 0 4 View
SPECTRUM 0 12 View