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1994 Geo PrizmProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 134 owner complaints about the 1994 Geo Prizm, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.6× the Prizm median · #1 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13481 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage120kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 13, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Geo Prizm has problems

134 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 bags5041
Seat belts221
Service brakes, hydraulic136
Visibility120
Electrical system80
Engine and engine cooling72
Power train70
Steering63
Suspension51
11 other systems265

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

1 recall

1994 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

1994 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

1994 Geo Prizm safety ratings

1994 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 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.

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 WARNING. THE CONTACT…
Complaint 10262377 · Mar 18, 2009 · 23,902 miles
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 TO HER CHEST AREA. THE…
Complaint 10259235 · Feb 18, 2009 · 238,975 miles
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
Complaint 10075684 · Jun 4, 2004 · 125,000 miles

Own a 1994 Prizm?

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