Geo Metro Problems by Year
NHTSA has 341 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file for the Geo Metro, across 7 model years (1995–2001). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (109). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Geo Metro years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Metro year: 1995, 1996, 1997. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 Metro: 109 complaints, 1 recall
- 1996 Metro: 88 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 Metro: 63 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2001 Metro: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Metro: 19 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Metro: 23 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Geo Metro problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 77 | 7 | 63 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 37 | 5 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 36 | 7 | 11 |
| Power Train | 32 | 7 | 3 |
| Structure | 28 | 6 | 1 |
| Visibility | 28 | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 23 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 19 | 5 | 13 |
| Suspension | 18 | 5 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 | 6 | 2 |
| Tires | 14 | 6 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 13 | 5 | 6 |
| Steering | 13 | 5 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 | 4 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 9 | 7 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Wheels | 5 | 3 | 0 |
All Geo Metro model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Metro | 6 | 0 | — | Visibility | |
| 2000 Metro | 19 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1999 Metro | 23 | 0 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1998 Metro | 33 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 Metro | 63 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 Metro | 88 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 Metro | 109 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Geo: all Geo models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Geo Metro years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (109), 1996 (88), 1997 (63) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Metro year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Geo Metro?
Air Bags, with 77 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Geo Metro have?
2 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.