1991 GEO Prizm Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 190,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 GEO Prizm (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1991 GEO Prizm. The part named most often is body and structure, with 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine cooling (10) and seat belts (6). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 190,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
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.
- Body and structure13 28%
- Engine cooling10 22%
- Seat belts6 13%
- Electrical system5 11%
- Exterior lighting3 6.5%
- Fuel system3 6.5%
- Tires3 6.5%
- Equipment2 4.3%
Also reported: Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “Front suspension out of alignment on eight occasions, due to problems with misalignment the right and left front tires experience excessive wear, replace front tires on six different occasions. Yh”
NHTSA complaint #782010, filed 1999-03Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 1991 Geo Prizm. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, carbon monoxide was present because the manifold had been fractured. The vehicle was repaired twice but the failure continued. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10366545, filed 2010-11, 190,000 milesSeat belts: “Driver side lap safety belt will not latch/ I recently purchased the vehical and I can contact the original owner to find out the exact date of and mileage of failure please let me know if it is pertinate.”
NHTSA complaint #721352, filed 2000-04Electrical system: “I have had a problem with my vehicles /brakelight burning out after a few days of replacement. Every Geo Prizm I see on the roads today have the same exact problem. I hate the fear of wondering wether or not they blew while I'm driving my vehicle. Also the risk of getting a ticket for something that is obviously a manufacture defect.”
NHTSA complaint #755054, filed 2001-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 170,000 and 190,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 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 | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 26 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Prizm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 28 | 24 | $3,400 |
| Prizm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
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
- 90V191000Nov 9, 1990Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studsCovers: GEO Prizm 1991
Lug nuts that retain wheels and wheel covers may have been torqued to lower than recommended specifications.
Recall details for the 1991 GEO Prizm → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1991 GEO Prizm have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1991 GEO Prizm as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 GEO Prizm is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 10.
Has the 1991 GEO Prizm been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 GEO Prizm get?
The EPA rates the 1991 GEO Prizm (Prizm, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 23 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 GEO Prizm reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 190,000 miles and the middle half falls between 170,000 and 190,000 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 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.