1996 GEO Metro Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 32%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 GEO Metro, 32% of the 88 complaints for this model year. 19 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In my accident my vehicle went airborne and landed nose first. It seemed odd to me the air bags did not go off. My concern is only there may be a problem with other metros.”
NHTSA complaint #718984, filed 2000-02“I owned a 1994 and a 1996 Geo Metro I was involved in a head on with the 1994 and my air bag did not go off. When I reported it the dealer said I did not hit the sensors right. So I bought another one a 1996 lsi. I hit a chevrolet s10 going 15 MPH with no time to brake and nither one of my air bags went off in the car. The front bumper on this car had been removwed for repair and was not in place at the time of accident. The whole front end was damaged clear through the fan and radiator so the air bags should have gone off that time. …”
NHTSA complaint #727886, filed 2000-08“I have already sent in a form but have never been contacted since by neither yourselves nor the manufactures of the vehicle. I still want to know why the air bags did not deploy with a perfect, headlight to headlight, front end collision. My first throught is that the things just don't work or that the airbag imprints are just for looks. The outo body shop at the chevy dealership could not even show me the sensor on the front end of the car. The owners manual shows where it is supposed to be but its not there, why?? All help on this matter will be greatly appreciated.”
NHTSA complaint #537605, filed 1998-06“Car was involved in 2 diffrent crashes one with a impact on the drivers side the other head on into the side of a pickup. Both times car was traveling 25-30 MPH. Air bags did not deploy. The second time after impact with the truck the car also struck a telephone pole with the front bumper to the point where it had to be pryed off the pole and it still did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #762487, filed 2002-05“Passenger airbag deployed while vehicle was in motion,driver possibly hit a piece of brick in the road only, no passengers were in car, driver airbag did not deploy, reported to GM, no action taken, brought to triangle chev, port arther tx, stayed in shop 3 wks, they said had no machinery available to test it but said this was a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #727400, filed 2000-08Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 17% |
| 2000 | 5 | 26% |
| 1999 | 4 | 17% |
| 1998 | 2 | 6% |
| 1997 | 8 | 13% |
| 1996 | 28 | 32% |
| 1995 | 29 | 27% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 7% |
| 1991 | 3 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 GEO Metro
12 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 GEO Metro
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology