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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

What owners actually said

37 reports
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 · Nov 7, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

ENGINE FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #524432

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 1997
Electrical System

ALTERNATOR FAILED THREE TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #513361

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1996
StructureInjury

REAR HATCH HYDRAULIC UNITS FAILED TO SUPPORT HATCH WHEN LIFTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #803758

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 1996
Seat Belts

PLASTIC COVER FEMALE PORTION WHICH HOLDS BUCKLE IN PLACE HAS DETACHED FROM SEAT BELT, RENDERING PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #800679

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1996
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

FAILURE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #800432

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

REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #506823

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1996
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #986580

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 1996
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE PLASTIC LATCH PLATE BROKE. *DH

NHTSA ODI #506136

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1996
Exterior Lighting

REAR WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT, CONTINUES TO FAIL, AFTER REPLACEMENT OF 6 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #983693

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.