Total Complaints
91 filings
GEO METRO · model year
1994 GEO METRO
91 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994GEOMETRO carries 91 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires, 17 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 1994 METRO is latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch with 6 filings, followed by seat belts:front:retractor (5) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (5). 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 1994 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.
91
Complaints
9
Crashes
2
Fires
17
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
9 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 | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 3 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20131107SUSPENSION
SEVERE CORROSION OF BODY FRAME HARD POINT TO REAR OF LOWER CONTROL ARM OF FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SPLAY OUT WITH UNCONTROLLABLE CAMBER AND STEERING. BOTH FRONT TIRES WORE ON INNER HALF OF TIRES ONLY AND VEHICLE REQUIRED HARD LEFT FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL. *TR
Mileage: 97,000
20131107STEERING
SEVERE CORROSION OF BODY FRAME HARD POINT TO REAR OF LOWER CONTROL ARM OF FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SPLAY OUT WITH UNCONTROLLABLE CAMBER AND STEERING. BOTH FRONT TIRES WORE ON INNER HALF OF TIRES ONLY AND VEHICLE REQUIRED HARD LEFT FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL. *TR
Mileage: 97,000
20131107STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
SEVERE CORROSION OF BODY FRAME HARD POINT TO REAR OF LOWER CONTROL ARM OF FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSED BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SPLAY OUT WITH UNCONTROLLABLE CAMBER AND STEERING. BOTH FRONT TIRES WORE ON INNER HALF OF TIRES ONLY AND VEHICLE REQUIRED HARD LEFT FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL TO CONTROL. *TR
Mileage: 97,000
20080318STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 GEO METRO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE WHEN SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED, AND THE TIRE COULD FALL AT ANY MOMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OLD AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 159,000.
Mileage: 159,000
20070529SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELT USE FOR PEOPLE OVER SIX FEET TALL. I RECEIVED THROAT INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT JUST BY HITTING A BUMP. IF THIS OCCURRED DURING A MINOR ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE DEAD. THE CAR WAS A GEO METRO 1994. THIS ALSO HAPPEN DURING HARD BREAKING. I HAVE SOLD THE CAR BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SHOULDER BELT RAPPING AROUND MY NECK. I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A TICKET FOR WEARING THE SHOULDER STRAP UNDER MY ARM. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ARE A POOR DESIGN, AND WILL NOT WORK. I WOULD LIKE A LAW ALLOWING EVERYONE OVER SIX FEET TO BE ABLE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT UNDER THE ARM. DID YOU EVER DO A STUDY ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY BEING STRANGLED BY A SEAT BELT? *TR
20040303STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
LTR FM SUSAN LEBLANC (WI) RE HER 1994 GM GEO METRO HATCHBACK, THE FRAME OF THE CAR BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR, REPLY TO THE JANESVILLE DISTRICT OFFICE, ALL ATTACHMENTS NOT IMAGED FWD TO NVS200. *PH *JB *CB
Mileage: 62,506
20031008STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE FRAME BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTED SHE WAS ALMOST KILLED BY THE DEFLECTING STEEL FROM THE DEFECTIVE FRAME. *PH *JB
Mileage: 62,506
20030602SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHEN CONSUMER UNLOCKED SEAT BELT IT FLEW OUT OF HER HAND AND SNATCHED BACK. SHE HEARD SOMETHING INSIDE OF THE LOCKING PART, SOUNDED AS IF IT BROKE. *AK
20030225TIRES:SIDEWALL
CONSUMER NOTICED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE, AND A SLASH IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. *JB *SCC
Mileage: 9,000
20020102EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT NO RECALL IS OPEN FOR THAT PROBLEM, FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK
20010629LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HOOD RELEASED FROM LATCH AND FLEW UP AND SMASHED DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS NOT FOUND A REMEDY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
20010516SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT AT ANY MPH WOULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON TIME. MOST OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED IN THE MORNING. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OFTEN TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL.*AK
20010122ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ALTERNATOR BELT KEEPS POPPING OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL POSSIBLY DUE TO A DEFECT IN PULLEY , CONSUMER HAS REPLACED BELT 4 TIMES.*AK
20001012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
MAP SENSOR FAILED CAUSEING STALLING AND POOR PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER. *ET
20001011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
MAP SENSOR FAILED CAUSEING STALLING AND POOR PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER. *ET
20000905FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
CAR HAS GREAT GAS MILEAGE BUT HAS DEADLY STRUCTURAL,SAFETY AND COMFORT DESIGN FLAWS
20000905FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CAR HAS GREAT GAS MILEAGE BUT HAS DEADLY STRUCTURAL,SAFETY AND COMFORT DESIGN FLAWS
19991116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY EVEN THOUGH I CLEANED SOCKETS AND REPLACED BULBS. THEN HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT 2AM 0N 11/15/99 AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT AFTERNOON. THEY FOUND THE HARNESS SHORTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND THEY REPLACED IT. LOOKING AT THE PLUG-INS ONE OF THEM LOOKED DISCOLORED FROM THE SHORTING OUT. *AK
19991014LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE METAL ATTACHMENT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD THAT LOCKS INTO THE HOOD LATCH IS RIPPING LOOSE FROM THE HOOD. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF LIABILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19990927LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD FLEW UP, CRACKING THE WINDSHIELD. *AK
Compare 1994GEOMETRO to Similar Vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 GEO METRO have?▼
The 1994 GEO METRO has 91 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 2 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 GEO METRO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 GEO METRO is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1994 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.