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: 1 of 37 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
37 reports
125,500 miles · Jun 2, 2006
Seat Belts
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 AVAILABILITY OF THE PARTS. TH…
Read full complaint
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 AVAILABILITY OF THE PARTS. THERE ARE NO AFTER MARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER DID FIND A PART, NO ONE WAS WILLING TO INSTALL THE LAP BELT FOR FEAR OF LIABILITY. UPDATED 05/30/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158868
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #760518
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 1999
Tires
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 EXPENSE. AK
NHTSA ODI #836371
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
NONE
NHTSA ODI #700073
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1998
Seat Belts
SEAT BELTS COME APART.
NHTSA ODI #541576
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 1998
Suspension
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.
NHTSA ODI #540282
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1998
Power Train
CV JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826525
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1998
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LURCHED INTO A STOP. THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THAT THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #825132
Mileage unknown · May 26, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure
FRAME MISALIGNED CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #536032
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1998
Structure
ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN.
NHTSA ODI #528864
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1990 Geo Prizm Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year