1990 GEO STORM

3 recalls, 56 complaints - 1 TSBs

95V103007 May 24, 1995
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.
92V091001 Jul 6, 1992
AIR BAGS
Defect Description
THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
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.
211,306 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
89V203000 Nov 16, 1989
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Defect Description
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
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FINGER BEING PINCHED ANDPOSSIBLY SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Remedy
REPAIR TO PREVENT CONDITION THAT WOULD PERMIT FINGER INJURY.
15,200 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

56 total complaints 12 crashes 3 fires 9 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
STEERING2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK2
SEATS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Feb 16, 2004
Incident date: Feb 16, 2004
UPON FINDING OUT THAT THE IS A RECALL CALL ON MY 1990 GEO STORM THAT AFFECT THE SEAT SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP BOTH REFUSED TO RUSH THE PARTS NEEDED TO AFFECT THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME THAT IF I WISHED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ALL THE RETRAINT SYSTEMS IN THE FRONT UNDER RECALL... Read more
AIR BAGS Feb 16, 2004
Incident date: Feb 16, 2004
UPON FINDING OUT THAT THE IS A RECALL CALL ON MY 1990 GEO STORM THAT AFFECT THE SEAT SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP BOTH REFUSED TO RUSH THE PARTS NEEDED TO AFFECT THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME THAT IF I WISHED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ALL THE RETRAINT SYSTEMS IN THE FRONT UNDER RECALL... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE Jun 11, 2002
SOME ONE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM SO I CAN BUY A NEW ECM. *AK
SEATS Aug 28, 2001
THE WIRE CONNECTING TO THE PAWL, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE MANUAL LEVER TO THE PAWL OPPOSITE THE LEVER APPEARS TO BE ENGAGED BUT IS ONLY PARTUALLY ENGAGED, WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS THE PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT IS PULLED OUT BY THE UNENGAGED SIDE RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD, AS A RESULT TH... Read more
1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Apr 24, 2001
Incident date: Apr 17, 2001
I 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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 3, 2001
Incident date: Dec 7, 2000
THE 1990 GEO STORM (AUTO) WILL NOT ONLY STALL, BUT IS STARTING TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO STALL IN RELATIVLY TIGHT TURNS. MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE HESITATION AND SURGING/ACCELERATION. I HAVE HEARD THROUGH INTERNET NEWS GROUPS THAT THEIR IS A DEFECTIVE ECM COMPONENT ON THIS... Read more
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) Feb 23, 2001
CLUTCH CABLES WERE THREADED THROUGH FIREWALL. OVERTIME USAGE OF CLUTCH WOULD CAUSE CABLES TO RIP THROUGH FIREWALL. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE, AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 26, 2000
Incident date: Oct 17, 2000
I WAS ASKING AROUND ABOUT WHY MY CAR IDLES FUNNY AND I WAS POINTED TO YOUR PAGE I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE PEDDLE ALSO WHEN I START THE CAR IT WANTS TO HOVER AT ABOUT 2,000 RPM AND WHEN I DROP THE CAR IN GEAR IT SURGES AND... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 5, 2000
Incident date: Sep 12, 1999
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
SUSPENSION Sep 5, 2000
Incident date: Sep 12, 1999
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
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: May 9, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL Jun 15, 2000
Incident date: Jun 14, 2000
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES SO THAT VEHICLE WOULD SLOWDOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE COMING THOUGH THE VENT AREA. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Jun 15, 2000
Incident date: Jun 14, 2000
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES SO THAT VEHICLE WOULD SLOWDOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE COMING THOUGH THE VENT AREA. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE May 19, 2000
Incident date: May 5, 1995
SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1990/91 1.6 GEO STORMS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Apr 27, 2000
Incident date: Sep 20, 1998
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 ST... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE Apr 27, 2000
Incident date: Sep 20, 1998
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 ST... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Apr 18, 2000
Incident date: Mar 18, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 18, 2000
Incident date: Aug 3, 1999
EVERY SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR IN AUG OF 1999 THE STRUTS OR SHOCKS, WHICHEVER IT HAS,HAVE BEEN SHOT...THE CAR ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR A DIP... THE SCARIEST PART OF THAT IS THAT IT HAPPENS MORE ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALSO HAVE THREE KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME, IVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL O... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE Feb 7, 2000
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 ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE Jul 12, 1999
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 2... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL Jun 27, 1999
THIS IS CONCERNING THE VARYING IDLE SPEED PROBLEMS ON THE STORM THAT WAS REPAIRED BY ISUZU/GM UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DOES NOT COVER VEHICLES OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CAR'S IDLE SPEED VARIES AND SURGES, RESULTING IN STALLS AND OCCASIONAL JERKY TAKEOFFS.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL Jun 27, 1999
AT IDLE AFTER CAR WARMS UP, ENGINE TENDS TO SURGE UP FROM 800RPM TO 3000RPM WHILE IN DRIVE. THIS LAUCHES THE CAR FORWARD AT A STOP.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 27, 1999
AT IDLE AFTER CAR WARMS UP, ENGINE TENDS TO SURGE UP FROM 800RPM TO 3000RPM WHILE IN DRIVE. THIS LAUCHES THE CAR FORWARD AT A STOP.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK Feb 17, 1999
Incident date: Mar 24, 1998
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE. A WIRING TO REAR TRAIL LIGHTING BURNT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT). *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK Aug 26, 1998
Incident date: Mar 24, 1998
FIRE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, POSSIBLY DUE TO SHORT IN TAIL LIGHT WIRING. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Aug 26, 1998
Incident date: Mar 24, 1998
FIRE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, POSSIBLY DUE TO SHORT IN TAIL LIGHT WIRING. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT).
Fire
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Apr 29, 1998
Incident date: Apr 27, 1998
CONSUMER DROVE OFF FROM STOP LIGHT. SOMEONE STOPPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER, AND SHE REARENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE ON FRONT END. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLED. *AK
Crash 1 injured
SEATS Sep 9, 1997
Incident date: Sep 3, 1997
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON INPACT, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BROKE AND WENT TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FALLING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BREAKING. *AK
Crash 2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 4, 1997
Incident date: Jun 28, 1997
OWNER HIT ANOTHER CAR HEAD-ON AND AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
Crash 1 injured
STEERING Jul 30, 1997
RECALL REPAIRS TO STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE MADE BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER SAID OWERER WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Mar 21, 1997
Incident date: Feb 7, 1997
AIRBAG DIDNT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DIDNT LOCK DURING CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Mar 21, 1997
Incident date: Feb 7, 1997
AIRBAG DIDNT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DIDNT LOCK DURING CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Crash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Nov 20, 1996
Incident date: Aug 22, 1994
THE VEHICLE WAS REARENDED BY A VAN AT 70 MPH, CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT TO BREAK AND LAY FLAT. *AK
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Nov 14, 1996
Incident date: May 19, 1992
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED TWICE.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD Oct 31, 1996
Incident date: Oct 28, 1996
THE VEHICLE HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Sep 17, 1996
EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Sep 10, 1996
REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL FOR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE-95V103007, THE BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON WAS WORKING FINE, NOW THE BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK OR WORK CORRECTLY. PLEASE EXPLAIN.*AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jun 12, 1996
Incident date: Jun 10, 1996
HIT IN THE FRONT-END AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Crash
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Feb 29, 1996
Incident date: Jun 1, 1993
STEERING COLUMN MOVES UP AND DOWN. TT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Feb 1, 1996
Incident date: Jan 24, 1996
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN REAR END COLLISON. TT
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Feb 1, 1996
UPON IMPACT, DURING FRONTAL CRASH, AT APPROX. 20MPH, 12:00 ON FRONT BUMPER, AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. TT
Crash 1 injured
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Jan 31, 1996
Incident date: Jan 31, 1995
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN REACHING SPEEDS 55 MPH. TT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jan 26, 1996
Incident date: Jan 24, 1996
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER BELT. TT
Crash 1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Jan 25, 1996
Incident date: Mar 21, 1991
MUFFLER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Jan 22, 1996
Incident date: Oct 20, 1995
THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Dec 6, 1995
Incident date: Dec 2, 1995
DURING THE COURSE OF AN ACCIDENT AT 10 MPH THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
Crash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Sep 22, 1995
Incident date: Jan 1, 1991
REPLACE ALTERNATOR 4 TIMES, POSSIBLE BECAUSE A HEAT SHEILD IS NEEDED, VEHICLE RESULTS IN STALLING OUT. TT
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Jul 24, 1995
THE MUFFLER CAME OFF,THE TWO FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME APART, THE WINDOW WILL NOT COME DOWN . TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jul 24, 1995
THE MUFFLER CAME OFF,THE TWO FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME APART, THE WINDOW WILL NOT COME DOWN . TT
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Jul 24, 1995
THE MUFFLER CAME OFF,THE TWO FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME APART, THE WINDOW WILL NOT COME DOWN . TT

Showing 50 of 56 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1990 GEO STORM

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 28.0 24.0 Regular $2,600
1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 21.0 29.0 24.0 Regular $2,600
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 26.0 33.0 29.0 Regular $2,150
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 23.0 31.0 26.0 Regular $2,400

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, 1990 GEO STORM

1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
151100 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
MSG01145 May 1, 1995
151100 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
UNKNOWN

NHTSA Safety Investigations, GEO STORM

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

PE95035 Opened: Jun 7, 1995 , Closed: Oct 10, 1995
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1990
STEERING COLUMN LOOSENING
There is no summary currently available

GEO STORM - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the GEO STORM across all model years (1990, 1992).

6 Total Recalls
347 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
78 Reported Crashes
5 Reported Fires
3 Reported Deaths

GEO STORM - Year by Year

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

Year Recalls Complaints
1995 0 3 View
1993 0 71 View
1992 1 107 View
1991 2 109 View
1990 (current) 3 56

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Model Recalls Complaints
PRIZM 16 800 View
TRACKER 12 453 View
METRO 10 810 View
GEO 0 4 View
SPECTRUM 0 12 View