Geo · Prizm · 1994
3
Recalls
143
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 1994 Geo Prizm has 3 recalls and 143 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: air bags (47 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 1994 Geo Prizm 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 3384
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 11, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
The 1994 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 air bags with 47 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: 1994 Geo Prizm 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 3384
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
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.
IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.
THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR STRAPS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE ANCHOR STRAP. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ANCHOR STRAPS AND REPLACE THOSE WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES "52733D 032" OR "52733D 042".
There is no summary currently available
MY HOOD BLOW OFF THE CAR AT 35/40 MPH -- THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF THE HOOD RELEASE OR THE HOOD HINGES MY HOOD WAS THERE BUT ALSO FEEL OFF - *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GEO PRIZM. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2009, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING THE VEHICLE. SHE SUFFERED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER NECK, CHEST, AND FACE. IN ADDITION, HER NOSE AND FINGER WERE SWOLLEN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT...
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GEO PRIZM. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND CUTS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HER FACE. HER FACE WAS SWOLLEN AND SHE COMPLAINED OF A SEVERE BURN-LIKE INJURY T...
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65 MPH, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A VIBRATION THAT WAS GETTING WORSE AS I DROVE ALONG. THE ROAD APPEARED TO BE IN VERY GOOD (SMOOTH) CONDITION SO, AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND EXAMINED THE TIRES BY FEEL TO SEE IF THERE WAS...
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DURING LIGHT TO MEDIUM BRAKING, THE ABS ACTIVE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BEGIN UN-LOCKING THE BRAKES. THIS WOULD BE DESIRABLE IN THE WINTER, ON ICE, IN A PANIC SITUATION. IT WAS HOWEVER DRY AND SUNNY ON THE NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT THIS PROBLEM ...
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DT: THE CONTACT TRIED TO ORDER A NEW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FROM A DEALER FOR 1994 GEO PRIZM. THE GM DEALER DID NOT HAVE IT AND COULD NOT GET ONE. THE CONSUMER ORDERED IT FROM TOYOTA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS COMPATIBLE WITH A TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WANTED TO COMPLAIN T...
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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 30 MPH AROUND A SLIGHT RIGHT HAND CURVE, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME SQUIRRELLY AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE LEFT REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY BROKE FREE OF THE CAR WHICH CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE VEER TO THE RIGHT DIRECTLY INTO A UTILITY POLE. ...
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WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK LACERATIONS, AND TEMPORARY LOSS OF HEARING IN THE LEFT EAR. *AK
NEVER INFORMED OF RECALLS FOR AIR BAG LIGHT AND DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FOUND RECALLS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. NOTIFIED GM, WAITING ON RESPONSE.*AK
FRONT LEFT BRAKE WEARS UNUSUALLY FAST. HAD BRAKES REPLACED 2 TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS. ABS NOT WORKING. HAD MY GEO FOR 9 YEARS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING SYSTEM.*AK
Showing 10 recent complaints from 143 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 1994 Geo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 1994 Geo Prizm has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 143 owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Geo Prizm.
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 1994 Geo Prizm. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 1994 Geo Prizm are air bags (47 reports), seat belts (22 reports), visibility (8 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 1994 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.