GEO STORM · model year

1990 GEO STORM

56 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990GEOSTORM carries 56 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 3 fires, 9 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 1990 STORM is air bags:frontal with 9 filings, followed by steering: steering wheel/handle bar (4) and engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (4). 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 1990 STORM 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.

56
Complaints
12
Crashes
3
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

56 filings

Crashes Reported

12 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:FRONTAL9
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
STEERING2
SEATS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
SUSPENSION:REAR1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1

Recent Complaints

20040216AIR BAGS

UPON FINDING OUT THAT THE IS A RECALL CALL ON MY 1990 GEO STORM THAT AFFECT THE SEAT SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP BOTH REFUSED TO RUSH THE PARTS NEEDED TO AFFECT THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME THAT IF I WISHED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ALL THE RETRAINT SYSTEMS IN THE FRONT UNDER RECALL IT WAS MY OWN PROBLEM AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN SHIP THE PARTS BY AIR. MY SAFETY ISN'T WORTH AIR FRIEGHT. THE CAR IS ILLEGAL TO OPERATE ON THE STREETS WITH DEFECTIVE SEATBELTSL THIS SAFETY RECALL IS IN MY OPINION NOT BEING DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY MATTER TO INSURE MY SAFETY . *AK

20040216SEAT BELTS:FRONT

UPON FINDING OUT THAT THE IS A RECALL CALL ON MY 1990 GEO STORM THAT AFFECT THE SEAT SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP BOTH REFUSED TO RUSH THE PARTS NEEDED TO AFFECT THE REPAIRS AND TOLD ME THAT IF I WISHED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ALL THE RETRAINT SYSTEMS IN THE FRONT UNDER RECALL IT WAS MY OWN PROBLEM AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN SHIP THE PARTS BY AIR. MY SAFETY ISN'T WORTH AIR FRIEGHT. THE CAR IS ILLEGAL TO OPERATE ON THE STREETS WITH DEFECTIVE SEATBELTSL THIS SAFETY RECALL IS IN MY OPINION NOT BEING DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY MATTER TO INSURE MY SAFETY . *AK

20020611ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

SOME ONE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM SO I CAN BUY A NEW ECM. *AK

20010828SEATS

THE WIRE CONNECTING TO THE PAWL, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE MANUAL LEVER TO THE PAWL OPPOSITE THE LEVER APPEARS TO BE ENGAGED BUT IS ONLY PARTUALLY ENGAGED, WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS THE PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT IS PULLED OUT BY THE UNENGAGED SIDE RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD, AS A RESULT THE OCCUPANT'S SUSTAINS LOWER LEG OR FOOT INJURIES IN OFFSET FRONTAL CRASHES. NLM

20010424ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PICK-UP COIL AND IGNITOR MODULE REPLACE AT 132,563 MILES. NOW BEGINNING BEFORE 189,000 MILES AND AFTER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING (COLD OR HOT) ARE STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. YESTERDAY, 4/17/2001 THE CAR WOULD NOT START I. *AK

20010403VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE 1990 GEO STORM (AUTO) WILL NOT ONLY STALL, BUT IS STARTING TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO STALL IN RELATIVLY TIGHT TURNS. MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE HESITATION AND SURGING/ACCELERATION. I HAVE HEARD THROUGH INTERNET NEWS GROUPS THAT THEIR IS A DEFECTIVE ECM COMPONENT ON THIS CAR AND THAT THIS DEFECT WAS COMMUNICATED TO CHEVY/GEO DEALERS THROUGH ITS TECHNICAL LITERATURE. SO FAR, I AM SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS THAT WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF THE DEALERS KNOW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE ECM, WHAT KIND OF RECOURSE CAN I TAKE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND/OR RECEIVE MY MONEY BACK FOR THE UNNEEDED REPAIRS. IF THE CAR CONTINUES TO DO THIS, IT CAN BECOME A HAZARD.*AK

20010223POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

CLUTCH CABLES WERE THREADED THROUGH FIREWALL. OVERTIME USAGE OF CLUTCH WOULD CAUSE CABLES TO RIP THROUGH FIREWALL. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE, AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE. *AK

20001026VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS ASKING AROUND ABOUT WHY MY CAR IDLES FUNNY AND I WAS POINTED TO YOUR PAGE I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE PEDDLE ALSO WHEN I START THE CAR IT WANTS TO HOVER AT ABOUT 2,000 RPM AND WHEN I DROP THE CAR IN GEAR IT SURGES AND THEN DROPS TO AROUND 1,500 RPM I ALSO FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKES SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS DOING THIS TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING.

20000905SUSPENSION

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THEN, HE REALIZED THAT VEHICLE WOULDN'T RESPOND. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK CONSUMER STATES IGNITION MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

20000905ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THEN, HE REALIZED THAT VEHICLE WOULDN'T RESPOND. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK CONSUMER STATES IGNITION MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

20000623UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20000615VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES SO THAT VEHICLE WOULD SLOWDOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE COMING THOUGH THE VENT AREA. *AK

20000615ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES SO THAT VEHICLE WOULD SLOWDOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE COMING THOUGH THE VENT AREA. *AK

20000519ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1990/91 1.6 GEO STORMS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

20000427ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

PROBLEM WITH THE ECU IS A GMC MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE ECU. ECU HAS PROBLEM WITH BOARD LAMINATE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND CHIP CONNECTIONS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY GM FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL GEO STORMS. EXHAUST HEADER IS MADE OF IRON AND RUSTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION. A FEW YEARS AFTERWARDS, EXHAUST HEADER WILL CRACK AND MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DEALER WITH SAME PART, FREE OF CHARGE, EVERY TIME IT BREAKS, OR REPLACED WITH A COMPONENT THAT WILL NOT RUST AND CRACK. *AK

20000427ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

PROBLEM WITH THE ECU IS A GMC MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE ECU. ECU HAS PROBLEM WITH BOARD LAMINATE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND CHIP CONNECTIONS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY GM FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL GEO STORMS. EXHAUST HEADER IS MADE OF IRON AND RUSTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION. A FEW YEARS AFTERWARDS, EXHAUST HEADER WILL CRACK AND MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DEALER WITH SAME PART, FREE OF CHARGE, EVERY TIME IT BREAKS, OR REPLACED WITH A COMPONENT THAT WILL NOT RUST AND CRACK. *AK

20000418ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20000318SUSPENSION:FRONT

EVERY SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR IN AUG OF 1999 THE STRUTS OR SHOCKS, WHICHEVER IT HAS,HAVE BEEN SHOT...THE CAR ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE WHEN I DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR A DIP... THE SCARIEST PART OF THAT IS THAT IT HAPPENS MORE ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALSO HAVE THREE KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME, IVE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES...CANT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PART IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE....ALSO THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS NOT OPENED SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR....IVE TRIED WORKING ON IT BUT ITS JUST TO HARD TO GET THE PANEL OFF THE DOOR...EARLIER THIS MONTH MY WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING AND ON 03/10/00 IT FINALLY WENT OUT AND AT THE SAME TIME THE TIMING BELT BROKE....SO NOW IM WITHOUT A CAR...HOPEFULLY NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED....THE CVBOOT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS ALSO TORN...SO MOST LIKELY THE AXLE WILL GO OUT TOO...IF THERE IS SOMETHING U CAN DO FOR ME PLEASE LET ME KNOW....THANK U...SHARLENE. *AK

20000207ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

AC DELCO USED A INSULATIVE SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS IN THESE ECUS/COMPUTERS WHICH SHRINKS OVER TIME WHEN EXPOSED TO WARM AND COOL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, SUCH AS THE NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT AN AUTOMOBILE IS SUBJECTED TO. THE SHRINKING INSULATIVE SPRAY CONTRACTS AND PULLS THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD, BREAKING SOLDER CONNECTIONS AND CAUSING SHORTS. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS FAULT ARE MOST NOTABLY ERRATIC IDLE, IDLE REVVING AND DROPPING, IDLE DIPPING OFTEN WITH ENGINE DYING, IDLE HANGING HIGH ABOVE 2,000 RPM, AND ENGINE DYING OR STALLING FOR NO REASON WITH NO TROUBLE CODES. *AK

19990712ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ECM FAILURE BEGAN SLIGHTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 80000 MILES ON IT. ENGINE WOULD RUN, THEN SHUT DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHICH COULD BE A SEVERE HAZARD. MECHANIC IDENTIFIED PROBLEM, AND DEALERSHIP REPORTED THEY HAD SEEN MANY STORMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THEN I HAVE SPOKEN TO 20 OR 30 OTHER STORM OWNERS WHOS CARS DEVELOPED SIMIALR PROBLEMS AFTER 3 YEARS OR 80000 MILES DEPENDING ON HOW CAR WAS DRIVEN. WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECIEVE FURTHER CORRESPONDANCE ON ABILITY TO HAVE CAR RECALLED ON SUCH PREMISES. *AK

Compare 1990GEOSTORM to Similar Vehicles

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 GEO STORM have?
The 1990 GEO STORM has 56 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 GEO STORM?
The most-complained component for the 1990 GEO STORM is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE.
Is the 1990 GEO STORM 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.