SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1994 Geo Prizm

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prizm years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Geo Prizm are substantially higher than the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →
134Owner complaints

Model-year median: 46

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
46
199150
199277
1993134
199496
199561
199650
1997
Compare all Prizm years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
50Seat Belts
22Service Brakes, Hydraulic
13Visibility
12Electrical System
8
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
7Power Train
7Steering
6Structure
5Suspension
5Exterior Lighting
4Seats
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Tires
3Unknown Or Other
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Equipment
1Interior Lighting
1Service Brakes, Air
1Trailer Hitches
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: 12 of 134 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports6 fire reports34 injury reports

Power Train complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Power Train

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH DRIVESHAFT COMMENCED TO LOCK UP, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER , AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMSSION GEAR WAS CHEWED UP. ALSO, INTERNAL OIL SEAL FINL DRIVE IN TRANSAXLE FAILED, FORCING LUBE INTO OTHER HALF OF FRONT TRRANSAXLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #857843

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 1999
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TWO TIRES NEEDED REPLACING. YH

NHTSA ODI #549763

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1999
Power Train

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FELL OFF EVERY TIME VEHICLE WAS GOING OVER A BUMP WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL. IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #846791

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1998
Power Train

LARGE CLAMP NOT FASTENED PROPERLY FROM FACTORY CAUSING CV BOOT TO LEAK GREASE.

NHTSA ODI #543001

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 1997
Air BagsLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION RESULTED IN BURNS TO DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI #526799

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 1996
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #511729

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 1995
Power Train

CRACKED VALVE BODY, CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #480655

Official recalls

1

96V107000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Jun 20, 1996

IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.

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

1

EA97015 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Sep 21, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available