GEO METRO · model year

1996 GEO METRO

116 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996GEOMETRO carries 116 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 34 crashes, 5 fires, 30 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1996 METRO is air bags:frontal with 20 filings, followed by air bags (9) and seats (6). 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 1996 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.

116
Complaints
34
Crashes
5
Fires
30
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

116 filings

Crashes Reported

34 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL20
AIR BAGS9
SEATS6
TIRES5
SUSPENSION:FRONT4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS4
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER2

Recent Complaints

20110225LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GEO METRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REAR DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM NEITHER THE INTERIOR NOR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE HER VEHICLE LISTED IN THE DATABASE AND COULD PROVIDE NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN

Mileage: 175,000

20090221STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I PURCHASED A 1996 GEO METRO SEDAN FROM A FRIEND AND I HAD DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARMS AND BROKE THE AXEL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO SEE THIS IN OTHER METROS. I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND IF THERE WAS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BECAUSE NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR. IF YOU COULD CONTACT ME THAT WOULD BE GREAT. *TR

Mileage: 141,685

20090221SUSPENSION:FRONT

I PURCHASED A 1996 GEO METRO SEDAN FROM A FRIEND AND I HAD DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARMS AND BROKE THE AXEL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALSO STARTED TO SEE THIS IN OTHER METROS. I WAS WONDERING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND IF THERE WAS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BECAUSE NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR. IF YOU COULD CONTACT ME THAT WOULD BE GREAT. *TR

Mileage: 141,685

20070826STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING INTO A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. LOST STEERING AND CAR CAME TO IMMEDIATE STOP. THE RIGHT FRONT FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND DROPPED CAR ONTO THE ASSEMBLY FOR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUSING IT TO BREAK AND ALLOWING THE TIRE TO TURN OUTWARDS AND STOP THE CAR. THERE IS NO REPAIR TO THIS, THE CAR WILL BE JUNKED. IF SHE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS REALLY SURPRISED US AS THE CAR HAD ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE SURFACES THAT WE COULD SEE. WHEN THE GARAGE HAD THE CAR UP ON THE RACK TO SHOW ME THE PROBLEM I COULD SEE QUITE A BIT OF RUSTING ON ALL THE FRONT COMPONENTS, BUT NONE ON THE REAR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR, WE HAVE TAKEN REASONABLY GOOD CARE OF IT. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

20061128STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1996 GEO METRO FRAME RUSTED AND BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TS *JB

20060707TIRES

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND AIR COMING OUT BETWEEN THE VALVE STEM AND THE TIRE. AFTER TEN DAYS, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND AIR COMING OUT IN THE SAME AREA. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THESE INCIDENTS. THE PROPER PRESSURE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNKNOWN AND PRESSURE CHECKS WERE NOT PERFORMED. THERE WAS ALSO NO VIBRATION BEFORE THE INCIDENT. HE BRAND NAME OF THE TIRE IS TURISMO TWO.

20051031CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A CRANK SHAFT PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. AFTER HEARING A NOISE IN THE ENGINE, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT A BELT BROKE. THE BELT WAS REPLACED, AND A WEEK LATER SHE HEARD ANOTHER NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. AFTER THE CRASH THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER BEING INSPECTED THE BOLT CAME LOOSE IN THE CRANK SHAFT. THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF POWER. SHE COULD HAVE FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GET UP TO SPEED. ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD HER IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT. SHE HAS NOT MADE ANY ARRANGEMENT TO HAVE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK

20050601ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY WIFE'S CAR, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, HAVE BECOME ALMOST OPAQUE. AFTER HAVING THE LIGHTS REPAIRED AT SUBSTANTIAL COST I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO UV EXPOSURE AND THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT ALL MAKES. APPARENTLY SOME MANUFACTURERS PRODUCE LIGHTS THAT CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AFTER EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT. SOME DO NOT. I FEEL THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. IT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE LIGHT OUTPUT AND IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES LOOKING ABOUT ANY PARKING LOT TO REALIZE THAT MOST GO UNCORRECTED. WHY CAN'T ALL MANUFACTURERS USE HEADLIGHTS THAT DO NOT TURN YELLOW?

Mileage: 115,000

20050308SUSPENSION:FRONT

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FRAME. THERE WAS SO MUCH LIQUID THAT THE FRAME HOLDING THE WHEEL RUSTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF.*AK

20050308EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FRAME. THERE WAS SO MUCH LIQUID THAT THE FRAME HOLDING THE WHEEL RUSTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF.*AK

20041023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUSE BOX/HEADLIGHT CONNECTION BURNT/MELTED. HEADLIGHTS NON OPERATIVE, ONLY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AVAILABLE. REPLACED FUSEBOX FOR SECOND TIME. REPLACED BUTT CONECTOR FOR FOURTH TIME.*AK

Mileage: 96,000

20040727ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE AND STEAM WAS COMING IN FROM THE VENTS. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

20031120FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR THE VEHICLE STARTED GIVING THE CONSUMER TROUBLE WHILE DRIVING. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. *PH *JB

20020603CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN 2 DIFFRENT CRASHES ONE WITH A IMPACT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THE OTHER HEAD ON INTO THE SIDE OF A PICKUP. BOTH TIMES CAR WAS TRAVELING 25-30 MPH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SECOND TIME AFTER IMPACT WITH THE TRUCK THE CAR ALSO STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE WITH THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAD TO BE PRYED OFF THE POLE AND IT STILL DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

20020514CrashAIR BAGS

CONSUMER WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF HER, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY WRECKED AND THE AIR BAG NOT DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *TT

20020423ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

20020207CrashAIR BAGS

CONSUMER WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF HER, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY WRECKED AND THE AIR BAG NOT DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *TT

20010821ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BOLT BROKE IN THE ENGINE, DAMAGING CRANKSHAFT/ WATER PUMP, AND TIMING CHAIN. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN DRIVING. CONTACT CHEVROLET, AND CHEVROLET TOLD TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

20010821ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

BOLT BROKE IN THE ENGINE, DAMAGING CRANKSHAFT/ WATER PUMP, AND TIMING CHAIN. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN DRIVING. CONTACT CHEVROLET, AND CHEVROLET TOLD TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

20010530CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL / DRIVER SIDE COLLISION AT 55 OR MORE MPH. UPON IMPACT BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

Compare 1996GEOMETRO to Similar Vehicles

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 GEO METRO have?
The 1996 GEO METRO has 116 NHTSA complaints, 34 crashes, 5 fires, 30 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GEO METRO?
The most-complained component for the 1996 GEO METRO is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and SEATS.
Is the 1996 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.