1996 GEO PRIZM — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
68
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 GEO PRIZM
The 1996 GEO PRIZM has received a total of 68 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontal (20 complaints), Seat Belts (4 complaints), and Seat Beltsfrontretractor (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 GEO PRIZM
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1996 GEO PRIZM, potentially affecting up to 12,657 vehicles.
Recall 10E002000 — SUSPENSION
| 12,657 vehicles affected
Defect: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 GEO PRIZM
68 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 GEO PRIZM. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURN INJURIES TO BOTH ARMS AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,194.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GEO PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES PER DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, AT 40,000 MILES, THE TIRES BECAME WORN OUT WITHIN 10,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,140.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GEO PRIZM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO OR THREE TIMES PER DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, AT 40,000 MILES, THE TIRES BECAME WORN OUT WITHIN 10,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,140.
THREE OF MY DOORS ON MY 1996 GEO PRIZM LOCKS HAVE FAILED, SHUTTING THE DOORS PERMANENTLY. I HAVE ONLY ONE DOOR TO GET IN/OUT OF MY CAR. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER GEO OWNERS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE TO SE IF I CAN FIND A SHOP TO GET THE DOORS UNLOCKED SO I NO LONGER HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE SEAT TO GET IN TO DRIVE. HEAVEN HELP ME IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.
TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. *MR THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT A PULL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SC (DAYTON TIRE). *JB
Safety Rating for the 1996 GEO PRIZM
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 GEO PRIZM in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 GEO PRIZM
General Motors, LLC has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 GEO PRIZM. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIC4696E — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to...
733204 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN SQUEAK WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL DURING HIGH AMBIENT INTERIOR TEMPERATURES (LUBRICATE LOWER STEERING COLUMN BUSHING). *TW
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 GEO PRIZM
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the GEO PRIZM
- 1991 GEO PRIZM — 72 complaints
- 1992 GEO PRIZM — 75 complaints
- 1993 GEO PRIZM — 95 complaints
- 1994 GEO PRIZM — 173 complaints
- 1995 GEO PRIZM — 130 complaints
- 1996 GEO PRIZM (current)
- 1997 GEO PRIZM — 63 complaints
- 1998 GEO PRIZM — 11 complaints
- 1999 GEO PRIZM — 33 complaints
- 2000 GEO PRIZM — 9 complaints
- 2001 GEO PRIZM — 9 complaints
Other GEO Models
- GEO METRO — 805 total complaints
- GEO TRACKER — 450 total complaints
- GEO STORM — 346 total complaints
- GEO SPECTRUM — 12 total complaints