Total Complaints
29 filings
GEO METRO · model year
1989 GEO METRO
29 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989GEOMETRO carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 METRO is latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch with 5 filings, followed by structure:body:hood (3) and seats:front assembly:recliner (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
No open NHTSA investigation overlaps the 1989 METRO in the current dataset. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
29
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | 3 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040422CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
Mileage: 68,000
20040422CrashFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
Mileage: 68,000
20040422CrashSTRUCTURE
1. HOOD FLEW UP ON FREEWAY AND SHATTERD WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGE HOOD BEYOND REPAIR. 2.FUEL SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD STALL 3. WOULD WEAR OUT BRAKE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCAR ROTERS
Mileage: 68,000
20011115LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
ON OCTOBER 8, 2001, THE HOOD OF OUR 1989 GEO METRO FLEW UP AND CRACKED OUR WINDSHIELD, DESTROYED THE HOOD AND OBSCURED OUR VISION. AFTER TALKING WITH ANOTHER GEO OWNER WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON GEO METROS FOR A HOOD LATCH DEFECT. WHEN LOOKING AT OUR HOOD IT WAS EVIDENT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED HAS THE SPOT WELDS DID NOT HOLD. I CONTACTED THIS SITE FIRST AND IT APPEARS THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN FOR THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, WHEN CALLING THE DEALER TO PROCEED I WAS TOLD MY CAR DID NOT COME UP FOR A RECALL IN THE SYSTEM. I THEN CONTACTED GM TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. WE HAVE RELACED THE HOOD WITH A USED HOOD WHICH I AM SURE COULD POSSIBLY CONTAIN THE SAME DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER ON THE NHTSA SITE DID NOT MATCH THE GM CAMPAIGN AND FURTHER THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS SO OLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESEARCH. I AM IN THE MEANTIME DRIVING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE CAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM GM UNLESS I CALL THEM FOR STATUS AND WHEN I DO THEY HAVE NOT
19981124FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH 0IL CARBURETOR. THE CONSUMER OIL SHOOTS UP INTO THE CARBURETOR, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DIE OUT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
19980206SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHEN THE SEATBELTS ARE IN USE THE BELTS LOCK UP TOO TIGHT AND WILL NOT LOOSEN UNTIL THE BELT BUCKLE COMES LOOSE. DEALER SAYS THAT IS HOW THEY WORK. *AK
19970717STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE ON HOOD FAILURE BEFORE HOOD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING.
19961114SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.
19961017STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SCREWS PULLED THREW FRAME BODY WITH HINGE ATTACHED, ALLOWED TO HANG BY ONE SINGLE HINGE. *AK
19961017STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SCREWS PULLED THREW FRAME BODY WITH HINGE ATTACHED, DOOR HUNG ONLY BY ONE SINGLE BOLT. *AK
19960924LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. CAUSING THE HOOD TO OPEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. RECAL NO 93 V 189 001 FOR THE HOOD LATCHES, HAD BEEN FIXED ON 2-17-96.*AK
19960923LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP.
19960906CrashSEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE DURING HEAD ON COLLISON. *AK
19960801STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT HOOD CAME OPEN, ALMOST ACCIDENT, COULDN'T SEE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
19960628LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS VERY WEAK, AND WIND GETS INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND CAUSE THE DOOR TO COME OPEN. *AK
19960620SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK BRACKET HOLS=DINGF THE SRICER'S BACK SEAT BROKE, DRIVER FELL INTO REAR OF VEHICLE. DON HAROUFFI <HAROUFFD@MAIL.TOP.NET. *AK
19960617LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
OWNER MOUNTED THE HOOD DOWN AND DLR WILL NOT FIX IT NOW 93V189001. *AK
19960319VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE HATCHBACK WINDOW FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. *AK
19960315SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT HOLD IN PLACE WHEN YOU FASTEN IT. YOU CAN PUT THE FACE IN THE BUCKLE AND IT WILL SLIDE OUT IF YOU MOVE. *AK
19951201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER BOX MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL/STOP WITH NO WARNING. PROBLEM REOCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Compare 1989GEOMETRO to Similar Vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 GEO METRO have?▼
The 1989 GEO METRO has 29 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 GEO METRO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 GEO METRO is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD and SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER.
Is the 1989 GEO METRO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.