Geo · Metro · 1990
2
Recalls
39
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 1990 Geo Metro has 2 recalls and 39 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: latches/locks/linkages (16 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Sep 11, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
The 1990 Geo Metro page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is an older model year, the complaint history often reflects a longer ownership window and multiple maintenance stages. That makes pattern-reading more useful than a one-number comparison against a much newer vehicle. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is latches/locks/linkages with 16 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Remedy Status
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Remedy Status
GM DEALERS WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 75 MPH, LATCH ON THE HOOD ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP AND BREAK WINDSHIELD. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SHOULDER SAFELY. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HOOD AND WINDSHIELD HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. CONSUMER B...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE IS BURNING OIL WHILE DRIVING, AND SMOKE COMES OUT REALLY BADLY. DRIVER CAN'T SEE TRAFFIC BEHIND HER. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE. *AK
HOOD LATCH STRIKER BROKE AFTER TWO YEARS. *AK
EXCESSIVE CO EMMISSIONS. A TSB WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM.
RECEIVED NOTICE (395V10300). CALLED DEALER & SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE IN. DEALER HAD VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 HOURS BEFORE INFORMING OWNER THEY HAD NO PARTS FOR VEHICLE. WOULD HAVE TO GET PARTS FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, IF THEY HAVE ANY. NOT SATISFIED. *AK
DEALER HAS NOT HONORED NHTSA RECALL 95V-103.007/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 91C-52, CONCENING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE SINCE AUGUST 10, 1997 UP TO THE PRESENT. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD ON SERVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE KIT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, OR THEY WOULD CONTACT CONSUMER WHEN IT ARRI...
Preview excerpt
STRUCTURE OF THE HOOD ASSEMBLY LATCH RECALL NUMBER 93V189001, CONSUMER HAD THE WORK CORRECTED IN APRILOF 95 AND ON FEB 27, 1997 WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE HOOD FLEW UP. *AK
HEAD REST FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER SUPPORT IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING HEAD INJURY.
DOME LIGHT STAYS ON. *DH
SEAT BELT ATTACHED TO DOOR, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM CAR WHEN DOOR OPENED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *DH
Showing 10 recent complaints from 39 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 1990 Geo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 1990 Geo Metro has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 39 owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Geo Metro.
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 1990 Geo Metro. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 1990 Geo Metro are latches/locks/linkages (16 reports), seat belts (10 reports), engine and engine cooling (3 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 1990 Geo Metro. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.