1990 GEO Prizm Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 125,500miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 GEO Prizm (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1990 GEO Prizm. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (19% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and body and structure (6). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 125,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts7 19%
- Engine cooling6 16%
- Body and structure6 16%
- Suspension4 11%
- Brakes3 8.1%
- Electrical system3 8.1%
- Exterior lighting3 8.1%
- Air bags1 2.7%
Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The contact stated the driver's side seat belt will not retract. This occurs every time the seat belt is used. The vehicle was not involved in any accidents that would have caused this failure. The manufacturer and dealer were contacted; the seat belt could no longer be replaced due to the availability of the parts. There are no after market parts available. When the consumer did find a part, no one was willing to install the lap belt for fear of liability. Updated 05/30/06.”
NHTSA complaint #10158868, filed 2006-06, 125,500 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “While driving vehicle lurched into a stop. The wheels locked up. Mechanic informed owner that the transmission locked up. Manufacturer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #825132, filed 1998-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 125,500 and 125,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 GEO Prizm. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prizm · sedan | not rated | 3 / 2 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 GEO Prizm version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prizm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Prizm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Prizm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 26 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Prizm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 GEO Prizm in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 GEO Prizm.
Other model years of the GEO Prizm
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 | 63,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 7 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 24 | 125,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 11 | 78,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 50 | 104,662 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 61 | 109,132 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 96 | 95,500 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 134 | 107,500 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 77 | 160,000 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 50 | — | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 46 | 190,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 37 | 125,500 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GEO Prizm model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 GEO Prizm have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1990 GEO Prizm as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 GEO Prizm is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (19% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.
Has the 1990 GEO Prizm been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 GEO Prizm get?
The EPA rates the 1990 GEO Prizm (Prizm, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 GEO Prizm reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 125,500 miles and the middle half falls between 125,500 and 125,500 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.