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1993 Geo PrizmProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 77 owner complaints about the 1993 Geo Prizm, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

42
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.4× the Prizm median · #3 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7738 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage160kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 26, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Geo Prizm has problems

77 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
Air bags2715
Visibility100
Seat belts91
Engine and engine cooling80
Electrical system72
Structure60
Service brakes, hydraulic52
Seats44
Fuel system, gasoline30
7 other systems112

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

1 recall

1993 Geo Prizm recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 96V-107 · Jun 20, 1996 · 627,858 vehicles

Risk. THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Geo.

Best & worst years

1993 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 Geo Prizm, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TURN SIGNAL FAILURESEA97015 · closed Sep 21, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What Prizm owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V107000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUTIT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK.
Complaint 10145613 · Dec 19, 2005 · 160,000 miles
PURCHASED A 1993 GEO PRIZM FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, BEFORE THE PURCHASE WE NOTED THAT THE NHTSA DESCRIBED A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME OF OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE…
Complaint 10078311 · Jun 16, 2004
WHILE BEING REAR-ENDED, WAS FORCED INTO TRUCK IN FRONT, AT APPROX. 25MPH, 12:00 ON FRONT BUMPER, AIRBAG FAIL TO DEPLOY. *AK
Complaint 983028 · Apr 17, 1996

Own a 1993 Prizm?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.