1991 Geo Prizm problems
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Geo Prizm. Body & structure is the most reported problem area, at 19% of complaints. Next are engine (15%) and exhaust system (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 72 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Body & structure 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1991 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Geo Prizm with enough data (25 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Car was in an accident and the driver side automatic seat belt didn't restrain, resulting in an injury, consumer doesn't have this car anymore, has new car. Tt
Vehicle caught on fire underhood while driving, all wires underhood burned out, all wiring harness to be replaced, speed 30 MPH, no warning.
As I stopped at a gas station and attempted to fill up with gas, my jacket sleeve caught on fire from flames coming out from the tank. The tank never exploded, adn we were able to put the fire out with an extinguisher.
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 geo prizm. The contact stated that the plastic used for door knobs disintegrated and were inoperable for the passenger doors. The gear shift also fractured and was difficult to maneuver. The parts had previously been replaced but the failure continued. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 geo prizm. The contact stated that while trying to decelerate, the brake lights failed and were dim. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who informed the contact that he needed to replace the wiring. The vehicle was repaired for the wiring and the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was unavailable.