Geo · Metro · 1996
0
Recalls
88
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 1996 Geo Metro has no recalls and 88 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: air bags (26 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 1996 Geo Metro 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 3519
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
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 10, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
The 1996 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 air bags with 26 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.
Stored NHTSA configuration: 1996 Geo Metro 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 3519
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GEO METRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REAR DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM NEITHER THE INTERIOR NOR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THEY DID NOT ...
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I PURCHASED A 1996 GEO METRO SEDAN FROM A FRIEND AND I HAD DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARMS AND BROKE THE AXEL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO SEE THIS IN OTHER METROS. I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON TH...
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MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING INTO A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. LOST STEERING AND CAR CAME TO IMMEDIATE STOP. THE RIGHT FRONT FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND DROPPED CAR ONTO THE ASSEMBLY FOR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUSING IT TO BREAK AND ALLOWING THE TIRE TO TURN OUTWARDS AND STOP THE CAR. THERE...
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND AIR COMING OUT BETWEEN THE VALVE STEM AND THE TIRE. AFTER TEN DAYS, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND AIR COMING OUT IN ...
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DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A CRANK SHAFT PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. AFTER HEARING A NOISE IN THE ENGINE, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT A BELT BROKE. THE BELT WAS REPLACED, AND A WEEK LATER SHE HEA...
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VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FRAME. THERE WAS SO MUCH LIQUID THAT THE FRAME HOLDING THE WHEEL RUSTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF.*AK
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY WIFE'S CAR, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, HAVE BECOME ALMOST OPAQUE. AFTER HAVING THE LIGHTS REPAIRED AT SUBSTANTIAL COST I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO UV EXPOSURE AND THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT ALL MAKES. APPARENTLY SOME MANUFACTURERS PRODUCE LIGHTS THAT CONTINUE TO FUNC...
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FUSE BOX/HEADLIGHT CONNECTION BURNT/MELTED. HEADLIGHTS NON OPERATIVE, ONLY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AVAILABLE. REPLACED FUSEBOX FOR SECOND TIME. REPLACED BUTT CONECTOR FOR FOURTH TIME.*AK
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE AND STEAM WAS COMING IN FROM THE VENTS. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP ...
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VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR THE VEHICLE STARTED GIVING THE CONSUMER TROUBLE WHILE DRIVING. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. *PH *JB
Showing 10 recent complaints from 88 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 1996 Geo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 1996 Geo Metro has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 88 owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Geo Metro.
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 1996 Geo Metro. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 1996 Geo Metro are air bags (26 reports), electrical system (9 reports), engine and engine cooling (7 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 1996 Geo Metro. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
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.