Total Complaints
39 filings
GEO METRO · model year
1998 GEO METRO
39 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998GEOMETRO carries 39 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 8 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 1998 METRO is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 5 filings, followed by visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system (3) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (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 1998 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.
39
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
7 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 |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20050816EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT AIM CORRECTLY. AFTER A FEW FRUSTRATING ATTEMPTS TO ADJUST MY HEADLIGHTS I REALIZED THEY ENTIRE ASSEMBLY RAISES UP AT HIGH SPEEDS AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY MANIPULATED (KICKED) BACK IN TO PLACE WHERE IT REMAINS UNTIL THE NEXT TRIP WHICH REQUIRES SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS SECURED BY A SCREW AND A HARD PLASTIC NIPPLE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH IS WEDGED INTO A RUBBER GROMMET MOUNTED ON THE CHASSIS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS RUBBER GROMMET STRETCHES, HARDENS OR DRY ROTS OVER TIME WEAKENING ITS EFFECTIVENESS. DURING MY 45 MINUTE DRIVE EACH MORNING PASS ANOTHER CHEVROLET METRO WITH ITS RIGHT HEADLIGHT POINTING HIGH AND TO THE RIGHT AS IT PASSES ME WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT MINE DOES. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE NOTICED THAT EVERY METRO I SEE HAS HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS WHICH ARE TO THE EXTREME. *JB
20040716ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS PROBLEM EXISTS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR WITH VARIOUS DRIVE TIMES, STOPPING AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO SIT FOR APPROX 25-30 MINS THEN TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN IT STALLS OUT AND DIES IN 2-7 OF DRIVING. IN MOST CASE THE CAR HAS DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND ON THE FREEWAY. IT USUALLY TAKE 1-2 MINUTES TO RESTART IT BEFORE IT WILL RUN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER '03 AND ON THE LAST TRIP TO THE DEALER, THEY NOW ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING IT. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN THERE FOR TWO WEEKS, AND THEY STILL HAVE IT. THEY REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR, BUT IT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IF MY CAR WERE TO STALL AND DIE IN TRAFFIC. *AK
Mileage: 33,110
20040712CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING 15-18 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE HIT A STREET POLE. THE CONSUMER/PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK *SC *JB
Mileage: 60,000
20030804SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES ON MY METRO HAS BEEN FIXED 5 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. 5 TIMES IN 5 YEARS. *AK
20030318POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING AND CHATTERING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
Mileage: 54,000
20030226VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE HEATER EMITTED A SMELL WHEN IT WAS ON.*JB
20020808VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
INTERIOR FAN WILL NOT WORK DUE TO HEATER A/C CONTROL FAILURE. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DEFOGGING SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK, AND SINCE METRO HATCHBACKS ARE EXTREMELY PRONE TO FOGGING, THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE MORNINGS OR EVENINGS. ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS DOES NOT HELP THIS PROBLEM. WE ALSO OWN A 1992 METRO WHICH HAD THE SAME COMPONENT FAIL (SEE SEPARATE REPORT).
20020808VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
INTERIOR FAN WILL NOT WORK DUE TO HEATER A/C CONTROL FAILURE. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DEFOGGING SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK, AND SINCE METRO HATCHBACKS ARE EXTREMELY PRONE TO FOGGING, THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE MORNINGS OR EVENINGS. ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS DOES NOT HELP THIS PROBLEM. WE ALSO OWN A 1992 METRO WHICH HAD THE SAME COMPONENT FAIL (SEE SEPARATE REPORT).
20020717SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20020321VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, WASHER FAILED, WINDSHIELD WIPER HANDLE SWITCH FELL OFF. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, DEALER FOUND HANDLE SWITCH HAD CRACKED WELL INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK *TT
20020321VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, WASHER FAILED, WINDSHIELD WIPER HANDLE SWITCH FELL OFF. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, DEALER FOUND HANDLE SWITCH HAD CRACKED WELL INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK *TT
20010820CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WAS PARKED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAR WENT BACKWARDS AND HIT OTHER VEHICLE.*AK
20010518PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER HEARS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN HE ENGAGES PARKING BRAKE, AND FEELS THAT BRAKES MAY NOT HOLD VEHICLE WHILE PARKED ON A SLOPE. *NOTE: CONSUMER OWNED A 1994, GEO, METRO THAT ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE PARKED ON A SLOPE. CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH BRAKE MECHANISMS WERE IDENTICAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
20010515VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CAR UNDER WARRANTY 12,000 MI. WATER IN BOTH DOORS GROWING MOLD AND IN AIR VENTS. *AK
20010515STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CAR UNDER WARRANTY 12,000 MI. WATER IN BOTH DOORS GROWING MOLD AND IN AIR VENTS. *AK
20010307VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND BROKE OFF, DROPPING GLASS EVERY WHERE.*AK
20001219VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL MOTOR AND SPEED WILL INCREASE . IT HAS EVEN INCREASED ON ITS OWN. DEALER HAS REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT DEFECT FOR OVER A YEAR. *AK NOW THERE IS SPNTANEOUS INCREASE AND DECREASE IN SPEED CONTINUOUSLY FOR 7-8 MILES. *YH
20001120CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
REAR AND SIDE COLLISION I WAS THROWN FROM DRIVERS SEAT TO REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE WEARING MY SEAT BELT. MY SEAT BELT TWISTED AND ALLOWED MY BODY TO BE EJECTED TO THE INTERIOR REAR OF MY CAR. *AK
20001017TIRES
THE GOODYEAR INVICTA GL 155-80-13 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE ON ONE, TIRE HAD A FIST SIZED BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL, INSPECTION SHOWED REMAINING TIRES WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO DEFECT TIRES. *MJS
20000823CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT, FORCED INTO INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON AT SPEED OF 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE IN THE RECLINING POSITION, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *SLC
Compare 1998GEOMETRO to Similar Vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 GEO METRO have?▼
The 1998 GEO METRO has 39 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 GEO METRO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 GEO METRO is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 1998 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.