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1990 Geo PrizmProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 1990 Geo Prizm, most often about the seat belts. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

65
CarFlaw IndexSolid year46% below the Prizm median · #8 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints3712 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage126kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 2, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Geo Prizm has problems

37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts72
Power train60
Structure61
Engine and engine cooling60
Suspension40
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Exterior lighting31
Electrical system30
Latches/locks/linkages20
7 other systems73

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1990 Geo Prizm recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other Prizm year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Prizm median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Geo Prizm safety ratings

1990 Geo Prizm 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Prizm owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE SEAT BELT IS USED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED; THE SEAT BELT COULD NO LONGER BE REPLACED DUE TO THE…
Complaint 10158868 · Jun 2, 2006 · 125,500 miles
PLASTIC COVER FEMALE PORTION WHICH HOLDS BUCKLE IN PLACE HAS DETACHED FROM SEAT BELT, RENDERING PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.*AK
Complaint 800679 · Aug 8, 1996

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