PlainCars

GEO METRO · model year

1997 GEO METRO

90 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997GEOMETRO carries 90 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1997 METRO is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 9 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (8) and engine and engine cooling:engine (5). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

No open NHTSA investigation overlaps the 1997 METRO in the current dataset. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

90
Complaints
14
Crashes
3
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

90 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL2
TIRES2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER2
SEATS2
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2

Recent Complaints

20050302POWER TRAIN

ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, THE OIL SWITCH WAS BAD, AND THE PCV VALVE WAS BAD. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHEED THE 25 MPH MARK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. *TC

20050302ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, THE OIL SWITCH WAS BAD, AND THE PCV VALVE WAS BAD. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHEED THE 25 MPH MARK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. *TC

20050302TIRES:TREAD/BELT

ONE OF THE WHEEL HUB CAPS CAME OFF AND THE TREAD OF TWO TIRES BEGAN PEELING OFF.*NM A TICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID APPEARED BROWN INSTEAD OF PINK. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN OUT. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP CRACKED, THE OIL SWITCH WAS BAD, AND THE PCV VALVE WAS BAD. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHEED THE 25 MPH MARK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. *TC

20041210ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE CONSUMER SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN FROM 65 MPH AND HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC THEN LOOSENED O RINGS TO STOP THE NOISE AND STALLING, BUT THE NOISE AND THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE STALLING OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP FOR ANY REASON. *AK *SC

20041202UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A WHEEL HAD COME OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF A TRACTOR TRAILER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WHEEL SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *JB

20041110CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT OWNER AND WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK

Mileage: 19,850

20041110CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

CONSUMER WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT OWNER AND WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK

Mileage: 19,850

20040110STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

I HELPED MY MOTHER IN LAW PURCHASE A NEW 1997 GEO METRO FROM A DEALER IN 1997. I AM DISSATIFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT JOB. THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO ALSO BE HAPPENING ON THE HOOD. IN ADDITION THE CHROME PAINT HAS WORN OFF THE WHEEL COVERS LAST YEAR. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR, WASHING , WAXING ETC AS WE HAVE ALL OUR OTHER VEHICLES SO I DON'T BELIEVE IMPROPER MAINTENACE IS THE CAUSE. IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 42,000

20040110WHEELS:HUB

I HELPED MY MOTHER IN LAW PURCHASE A NEW 1997 GEO METRO FROM A DEALER IN 1997. I AM DISSATIFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE PAINT JOB. THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND APPEARS TO ALSO BE HAPPENING ON THE HOOD. IN ADDITION THE CHROME PAINT HAS WORN OFF THE WHEEL COVERS LAST YEAR. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR, WASHING , WAXING ETC AS WE HAVE ALL OUR OTHER VEHICLES SO I DON'T BELIEVE IMPROPER MAINTENACE IS THE CAUSE. IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 42,000

20030604ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

STALLING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS.*AK

20030506UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CIGARETTE LIGHTER WHEN PRESSED IN WILL HURL OUTWARD INTO THE CAR WHEN IT IS HOT. IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY UNLESS YOU HOLD ONTO THE LIGHTER. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS DEFECT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT USED AT A DEALERSHIP, IN 2/ 1999 THE INCIDENT DATE WAS CHOSEN AT RANDOM. *JB

20030506CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONT DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Mileage: 10

20030313CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

Mileage: 147,000

20030227CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB

20021016POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

BROUGHT CAR JULY 11, 2000-DEC. 20,2000-TRANSMISSION REPLACED-AUG. 23, 2002 THROUGH SEPT. 30, 2002-SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON CRANK SENSOR SEAL O-RING REPLACED, BURNING OIL, HAS A SHAKE TO IT WHEN DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN, AND ALL THIS HAPPENED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. MR

20020812CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, VEHICLE ROLLED, JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK, UPROOTED A FENCE, THE TOP OF THE FENCE HIT THE WINDHSIELD CAUSING IT TO CRACK, THE FENCE WENT UP OVER THE VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE FROM THE FRONT, TO THE BACK. I HAVE THE ESTIMATE FROM THE BODY SHOP THAT IT WAS TAKEN TO. I ALSO HAVE WITNESSES THAT SAW THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED.

20020809PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED OFF, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK AND HIT A FENCE, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING IT. THE VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE FENCE AND THE FENCE SCRATCHED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER, FRONT LIGHTS, HOOD, FENDER, VENT SCREEN, LEFT WIPER ARM, RIGHT TO LEFT WIPERS, LIFT GATE, REAR LIGHTS, AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE IS 3026.15. *SCC

20020809UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED OFF, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK AND HIT A FENCE, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING IT. THE VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE FENCE AND THE FENCE SCRATCHED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER, FRONT LIGHTS, HOOD, FENDER, VENT SCREEN, LEFT WIPER ARM, RIGHT TO LEFT WIPERS, LIFT GATE, REAR LIGHTS, AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE IS 3026.15. *SCC

20020809STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED OFF, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK AND HIT A FENCE, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING IT. THE VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE FENCE AND THE FENCE SCRATCHED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER, FRONT LIGHTS, HOOD, FENDER, VENT SCREEN, LEFT WIPER ARM, RIGHT TO LEFT WIPERS, LIFT GATE, REAR LIGHTS, AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE IS 3026.15. *SCC

20020809VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED OFF, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED A PARKING BLOCK AND HIT A FENCE, WHICH HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING IT. THE VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE FENCE AND THE FENCE SCRATCHED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER, FRONT LIGHTS, HOOD, FENDER, VENT SCREEN, LEFT WIPER ARM, RIGHT TO LEFT WIPERS, LIFT GATE, REAR LIGHTS, AND POSSIBLE SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE IS 3026.15. *SCC

Compare 1997GEOMETRO to Similar Vehicles

METRO vs PONTIACFIREBIRD → METRO vs LAND ROVERFREELANDER → METRO vs NISSAN350Z → METRO vs GEOPRIZM →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 GEO METRO have?▼
The 1997 GEO METRO has 90 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 GEO METRO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 GEO METRO is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1997 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

Understanding NHTSA Complaints → Vehicle Recalls Explained → Safest Car Brands 2026 → Most Reliable Used Cars → Lemon Law Guide →

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1997 GEO METRO; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.