1991 Geo Metro problems & reliability
50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Geo Metro. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
8 complaints report injuries (12 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1991 Geo Metro vehicles were involved in 3 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages → | 15 | 30% |
| Seat Belts → | 15 | 30% |
| Structure | 5 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 4 | 8% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Seats | 4 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 6% |
| Visibility | 3 | 6% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The vehicle was involved in a single car collision where both the driver and passenger seat belts became un-buckled, which resulted in the passenger being ejected from the vehicle and killed. Related recall 95v103007, manufacturer advised the consumer's vehicle identification number was not included. *jb”
Seat Belts · filed May 22, 2003
“Consumers husband was in motion when there was a popping sound, followed by lost of control of the vehicle. All braking and steering power was lost. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who informed consumer that the unistrut frame on the vehicle had broken. Chevrolet determined that the cause of the failure was…”
Structure · filed Nov 13, 2002
“While driving vehicle felt like it had a flat, veering to right. Also grinding noise. Wheel assembly was torn and rubbed on wheel well frame. *ak consumer states that the frame where control arm attaches failed due to extensive corrosion. *slc”
Wheels · filed Apr 9, 2001
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA95014 · opened Apr 25, 1995 · closed Jul 28, 1995 · led to recall 95V103007
- TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL
Preliminary Evaluation PE94092 · opened Dec 21, 1994 · closed Apr 25, 1995
- HOOD FLY-UPS
Engineering Analysis EA93006 · opened Feb 26, 1993 · closed Nov 26, 1993 · led to recall 93V189001
Technical service bulletins
2 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Geo Metro.
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
UNKNOWN
MSG01145 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 1995
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1991 Geo Metro in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1991 Geo Metro?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.