MYRModel Year Report

1997 Geo Prizm

● Typical for this model
1997 Geo Prizm
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:15.313Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
50
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Seat belts

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1997: 50 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19890
199038
199146
199250
199379
1994143
199596
199661
199750
199811
199924
20007
20016
20023

Known problem areas

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

Seat belts

36% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and rear/other.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

30% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving down major highway, rearended another vehicle at about 25MPH. Resulting in major damage to front end, and no airbags deployed!

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-18

While driving 50 MPH the vehicle hit a deer at a frontal impact which caused serious damage to front end. Driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant. Please provide further information.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-03-02

No deployment of air bag during collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-08-26

Steering

10% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing pump and rack and pinion.

Service brakes

10% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Exterior lighting

8% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights and tail lights.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1997-03-30Air bags97V043002 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will repair the air bag computer.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2010-03-15Suspension10E002000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Geo Prizm — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V043002 · Air bags
  • Recall 10E002000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Geo Prizm reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Geo Prizm is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Geo Prizm?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Geo Prizm have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-08-03 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.