GEO Metro Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 629 consumer complaints across the 13 model years of the GEO Metro (1989–2001) that have at least 5 complaints. 1995 has the most, with 109. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (88 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Metro model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 | — | 0 | 53 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 19 | 35,500 | 0 | 45 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 23 | 69,000 | 0 | 9 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 33 | 54,000 | 0 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 63 | 30,925 | 1 | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 88 | 116,000 | 0 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 109 | 108,000 | 1 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 68 | 62,506 | 0 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 50 | 146,521 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 54 | 99,500 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 50 | 71,800 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 39 | — | 2 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 27 | 68,000 | 2 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags88 17%
- Latches, locks and linkages73 14%
- Seat belts71 14%
- Body and structure70 14%
- Engine cooling63 12%
- Brakes60 12%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)46 9.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain42 8.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1996: “I purchased a 1996 Geo Metro sedan from a friend and I had driven it for about 3 months. The frame had rotted away from the control arms and broke the axel out of the transmission. I have also started to see this in other metros. I was wondering why there wasn't a recall on this from the manufacturer and if there was I would like to know because now I am without a car. If you could contact me that would be great.”
NHTSA complaint #10259525, filed 2009-02, 141,685 miles1995: “The dash in my 1995 Geo Metro is disintegrating in small particles that blow into my face while driving and is particularly aggravating when the heater or air condition are on. I complained as early as 1998 to no avail. I can furnish pictures showing how serious this is. Everyone says they have never seen anything like this. Can you help! Dates are approximate.”
NHTSA complaint #10008322, filed 2003-03, 30,000 miles1997: “I helped my mother in law purchase a new 1997 Geo Metro from a dealer in 1997. I am dissatified with the quality of the paint job. The paint is wearing off the trunk of the vehicle and appears to also be happening on the hood. In addition the chrome paint has worn off the wheel covers last year. We have maintained this car, washing , waxing etc as we have all our other vehicles so I don't believe improper maintenace is the cause. Is there any financial help available to remedy this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10052774, filed 2004-01, 42,000 milesOther GEO models
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology