1994 Geo Prizm

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1994 Geo Prizm
RENDERED 2026-09-16T14:01:34.689Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1994: 143 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1989	0
1990	38
1991	46
1992	50
1993	79
1994	143
1995	96
1996	61
1997	50
1998	11
1999	24
2000	7
2001	6
2002	3

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 36%

36% of complaints: air bags — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK LACERATIONS, AND TEMPORARY LOSS OF HEARING IN THE LEFT EAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040604

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER SUSTAINED BURN ING FACE INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031015

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE AIR BAG HAD A DELAY DEPLOYMENT UPON IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030613

SEAT BELTS 17%

17% of complaints: seat belts — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

SEAT BELT ANCHOR STRAP RECALL REPAIR DELAYED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS. (94E-021) *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19941011

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

VISIBILITY 8%

8% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and ignition.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

PARKED. ELECTRICAL FIRE AFTER 2 1/2 HOURS. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19941218

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1994 — complaint volume: 143

R 19940921 — seat belts

THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR STRAPS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE ANCHOR STRAP. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ANCHOR STRAPS AND REPLACE THOSE WITH SUSPECT DATE CODES "52733D 032" OR "52733D 042".

Campaign 94E021002 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960508 — air bags

IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SP

Campaign 96V107000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970722 — EA (closed 19980921)

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

R 20100315 — suspension

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

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.

Campaign 10E002000 — check if this car was fixed