SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1996 Geo Prizm

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Geo Prizm do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →
61Owner complaints

Model-year median: 46

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
77
1993134
199496
199561
199650
199711
199824
1999
Compare all Prizm years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
22Seat Belts
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5Power Train
3Steering
3
All reported categories
Structure
3Suspension
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Seats
2Tires
2Wheels
2Electrical System
1Exterior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
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: 3 of 61 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 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports2 fire reports14 injury reports

Structure complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1999
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

DURING LOW IMPACT COLLISION (KNICKED OTHER VEHICLE) STUCTURE FOLDED DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL, POSSIBLE FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS (LOW MPH), INJURY TO CONSUMER (HEAD, RIBS, FACIAL) NLM

NHTSA ODI #547283

Mileage unknown · May 5, 1997
Structure

VEHICLE'S ROOF CAVED IN DUE TO WEAK AND DEFECTIVE METAL. ONLY ABOUT 2 FEET OF SNOW WAS ON TOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810837

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1997
Structure

TRUNK RELEASE MECHANISM OPENS TRUNK, BUT IT DOESN'T SPRING BACK TO ALLOW THE TRUNK TO CLOSE PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #602676

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

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