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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

Structure complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
129,351 miles · Dec 13, 2014
Structure

MY HOOD BLOW OFF THE CAR AT 35/40 MPH -- THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF THE HOOD RELEASE OR THE HOOD HINGES MY HOOD WAS THERE BUT ALSO FEEL OFF - *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664055

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Structure

DOORS HINGES AND LATCHES ARE INOPERABLE, CAUSING DOORS TO SWING OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND CANNOT BE CLOSED. DEALER HAS REPAIRED DOORS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893825

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1999
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility

POWER LOCK ON RIGHT REAR DOOR STOPPED WORKING. MOLDING CAME OFF ON RIGHT REAR WINDOW. HEATER KNOB AND RADIO VOLUME KNOB BROKE OFF IN 10 DEGREE F. WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI #710125

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1998
Structure

RECALL ON CENTER CONSOLE, HOWEVER RECALL WORK WAS REJECTED DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA ODI #534740

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 1996
StructureCrash

WITHOUT RELEASING THE LATCHES THE HOOD POPS UP WHEN VEHICLE HIT GUARD RAIL IN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI #977651

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