Geo · Prizm · 1991
2
Recalls
46
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 1991 Geo Prizm has 2 recalls and 46 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: structure (12 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 1991 Geo Prizm 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 structure with 12 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.
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Remedy Status
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
LUG NUTS THAT RETAIN WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy Status
REMOVE ORIGINAL WHEEL COVER, TORQUE LUG TO SPECIFICATION, AND INSTALL FULL WHEEL COVERS THAT ARE RETAINED BY SPRING CLIPS.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CARBON MONOXIDE WAS PRESENT BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WERE DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE WIRING AND THE F...
Preview excerpt
1991 GEO PRISM HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, BEFORE HITTING THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0738-90.
TIRES HAVE BELT SEPARATIONS AND AS WELL AIR BUBBLES WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BLOW. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED, SHORTLY AFTER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. *NM
JAN/01 - DISCOVERED CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WAS TOLD BY SALVAGE YARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GEOS AND THEY CAN'T KEEP MANIFOLDS IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THE FREQUENCY. NEW MANIFOLD INSTALLED TO REPLACE CRACKED ONE. THE NEW ONE CRACKED APPROX. 1-2 MONTHS LATER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH HEARD A SOUND & WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. IT FELT LIKE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE & HIT A POLE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A RECALL #90V191000. HOWEVER, VEHICLE IS NOT COV...
Preview excerpt
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, AND VEHICLE HESITATES AND MAKES LOUD NOISES. *AK
AS I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND ATTEMPTED TO FILL UP WITH GAS, MY JACKET SLEEVE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM FLAMES COMING OUT FROM THE TANK. THE TANK NEVER EXPLODED, ADN WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER.
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLES /BRAKELIGHT BURNING OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF REPLACEMENT. EVERY GEO PRIZM I SEE ON THE ROADS TODAY HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HATE THE FEAR OF WONDERING WETHER OR NOT THEY BLEW WHILE I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE RISK OF GETTING A TICKE...
Preview excerpt
SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK DURING A REAREND COLLISION.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 46 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 1991 Geo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 1991 Geo Prizm has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 46 owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Geo Prizm.
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 1991 Geo Prizm. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 1991 Geo Prizm are structure (12 reports), engine and engine cooling (9 reports), seat belts (6 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 1991 Geo Prizm. 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.