Geo · Metro · 1997
1
Recall
63
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 1997 Geo Metro has 1 recall and 63 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: engine and engine cooling (10 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 1997 Geo Metro 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 3789
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 1997 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 engine and engine cooling with 10 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: 1997 Geo Metro 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 3789
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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.
THE CONSUMER SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN FROM 65 MPH AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC THEN LOOSENED O RINGS ...
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CONSUMER WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT OWNER AND WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS ...
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I HELPED MY MOTHER IN LAW PURCHASE A NEW 1997 GEO METRO FROM A DEALER IN 1997. I AM DISSATIFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT JOB. THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO ALSO BE HAPPENING ON THE HOOD. IN ADDITION THE CHROME PAINT HAS WORN OFF THE WHEEL C...
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CIGARETTE LIGHTER WHEN PRESSED IN WILL HURL OUTWARD INTO THE CAR WHEN IT IS HOT. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY UNLESS YOU HOLD ONTO THE LIGHTER. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS DEFECT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT USED AT A DEALERSHIP, IN 2/ 1999 THE INCIDENT DATE WAS CHOSEN AT RANDOM. *JB
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB
THE CONSUMER NOTICED A WHEEL HAD COME OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF A TRACTOR TRAILER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHEEL SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *JB
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED OFF, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK AND HIT A FENCE, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING IT. THE VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE FENCE AND THE FENCE ...
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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, VEHICLE ROLLED, JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK, UPROOTED A FENCE, THE TOP OF THE FENCE HIT THE WINDHSIELD CAUSING IT TO CRACK, THE FENCE WENT UP OVER THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE FROM THE FRONT, TO THE BACK. I HAVE THE ESTIMATE FROM ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 63 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 1997 Geo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 1997 Geo Metro has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 63 owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Geo Metro.
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 1997 Geo Metro. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 1997 Geo Metro are engine and engine cooling (10 reports), power train (8 reports), air bags (7 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 1997 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.