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1997 Geo PrizmProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 50 owner complaints about the 1997 Geo Prizm, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year22% below the Prizm median · #5 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5019 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage104kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 8, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Geo Prizm has problems

50 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 belts172
Air bags1512
Steering50
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Suspension30
Tires20
Electrical system22
Equipment21
Exterior lighting20
4 other systems50

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

1 recall

1997 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.

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

1997 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

1997 Geo Prizm safety ratings

1997 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT CONNECTING TO THEIR APPROPRIATE BUCKLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE…
Complaint 10417921 · Aug 8, 2011 · 167,000 miles
ON 4/19/05 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 97 GEO PRISM. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO MYSELF AND MINOR PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. I ORIGINALLY FILED COMPLAINT THROUGH MY…
Complaint 10161797 · Jul 7, 2006 · 112,650 miles
DURING AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT FAILED TO LOCK.*MR EVERYONE INSIDE THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SOME TYPE OF INJURY (GEO PRIZM). *NM UPDATED 12/22/05 *JB
Complaint 10124706 · May 23, 2005 · 130,000 miles

Own a 1997 Prizm?

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