1997 GEO PRIZM — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

63

Owner Complaints

16 Crashes 3 Fires

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1997 GEO PRIZM

The 1997 GEO PRIZM has received a total of 63 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION, AIR BAGS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontal (13 complaints), Seat Beltsfrontretractor (7 complaints), and Seat Belts (5 complaints).

Recalls for the 1997 GEO PRIZM

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1997 GEO PRIZM, potentially affecting up to 29,751 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 →

Recall 97V043002 — AIR BAGS

| 17,094 vehicles affected

Defect: IF THE AIR BAG COMPUTER IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A MECHANICAL SHOCK (I.E., RAPIDLY MOVING THE FRONT SEAT BACK AGAINST THE STOPS OR A SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE PARKING BRAKE) WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED, THE AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR BAG COMPUTER.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1997 GEO PRIZM

63 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 GEO PRIZM. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 13 9 Crashes 5 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 7
Seat Belts
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 4 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 6 Injuries
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 2
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Child Seat
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 4 Injuries
Equipmentotherownersserviceother Manual
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 4 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkages
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10417921 | SEAT BELTS | | 167,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT CONNECTING TO THEIR APPROPRIATE BUCKLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
#10417921 | SUSPENSION | | 167,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GEO PRIZM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT CONNECTING TO THEIR APPROPRIATE BUCKLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
#10161797 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | | 112,650 miles Crash 4 Injuries
ON 4/19/05 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 97 GEO PRISM. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO MYSELF AND MINOR PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. I ORIGINALLY FILED COMPLAINT THROUGH MY ATTORNEY KENNETH MILLER, JR. BATON ROUGE, LA. I WANT TO SETTLE THIS CASE ASAP. *NM
#10161797 | EQUIPMENT | | 112,650 miles Crash 4 Injuries
ON 4/19/05 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 97 GEO PRISM. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO MYSELF AND MINOR PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. I ORIGINALLY FILED COMPLAINT THROUGH MY ATTORNEY KENNETH MILLER, JR. BATON ROUGE, LA. I WANT TO SETTLE THIS CASE ASAP. *NM
#10161797 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT | | 112,650 miles Crash 4 Injuries
ON 4/19/05 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 97 GEO PRISM. THE VEHICLE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO MYSELF AND MINOR PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. I ORIGINALLY FILED COMPLAINT THROUGH MY ATTORNEY KENNETH MILLER, JR. BATON ROUGE, LA. I WANT TO SETTLE THIS CASE ASAP. *NM

View all Air Bagsfrontal complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1997 GEO PRIZM

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 GEO PRIZM in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 GEO PRIZM

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 GEO PRIZM

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the GEO PRIZM

View all GEO PRIZM model years →

Other GEO Models

View all GEO models →

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