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1990 Geo Prizm

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Geo Prizm do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →
37Owner complaints

Model-year median: 46

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
37
199046
199150
199277
1993
Compare all Prizm years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seat Belts
7Engine And Engine Cooling
6Power Train
6Structure
6Suspension
4
All reported categories
Electrical System
3Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Air Bags
1Seats
1Steering
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

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

Power Train complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
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 · Dec 28, 1997
Power Train

VEHICLE COMES TO AN ABRUPT STOP, LIKE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AFTER THE SECOND INSTANCE, THE VEHICLE WILL STARTS BUT WILL NOT MOVE.

NHTSA ODI #527563

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #506823

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 1995
Power TrainWheels

AUTO-TRAN: WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, TRANSMISSION FROZE; WHEELS LOCKED UP; STARTED MAKING UNFAMILIAR SOUND; SEVERAL LOUD THUMPS, THEN FROZE. TT

NHTSA ODI #958580

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.