Geo Prizm Problems by Year
Geo Prizm years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Prizm year: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 Prizm: 96 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1996 Prizm: 61 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 Prizm: 50 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2002 Prizm: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Prizm: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Prizm: 7 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 Prizm problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 85 | 6 | 57 |
| Seat Belts | 54 | 6 | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 29 | 6 | 7 |
| Structure | 15 | 4 | 2 |
| Suspension | 15 | 6 | 4 |
| Steering | 14 | 4 | 4 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 5 | 1 |
| Power Train | 12 | 5 | 2 |
| Tires | 9 | 4 | 2 |
| Visibility | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Equipment | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Geo Prizm model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Prizm | 3 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2001 Prizm | 6 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2000 Prizm | 7 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1999 Prizm | 24 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 Prizm | 11 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 Prizm | 50 | 1 | — | Seat Belts | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 Prizm | 61 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 Prizm | 96 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Geo: all Geo models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Geo Prizm years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (96), 1996 (61), 1997 (50), 1999 (24) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Prizm 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 Prizm?
Air Bags, with 85 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the Geo Prizm have?
3 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.