1996 GEO Prizm Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 36%of 61 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 228,194miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 GEO Prizm, 36% of the 61 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 228,194 miles. 18 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.
“Was traving at about45miles per hour,car cut me off, hit rear drivers side bumper, hit my bumper, went through my grill and hood, looking at front of car hole is in the upper left hand coner of decritive plate and bumper,bumper is damaged on top of it,and bowed down, dont understand why air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #725448, filed 2000-07“The contact owns a 1996 Geo Prizm. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag and front passenger air bag abruptly deployed when the ignition switch was engaged. The contact sustained burn injuries to both arms and chest. Medical attention was not received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 228,194.”
NHTSA complaint #11192847, filed 2019-04, 228,194 miles“At 7:30am consumer was driving approximately 55-60mph when she began to merge right. Consumer felt like she had hit something, she saw nothing. Then the vehicle began to spin and she saw her wheel rolling down the interstate, vehicle hit the wall and skidded down the side. Air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #831775, filed 1998-12“While traveling at 25 MPH another vehicle pulled out in front of consumer's vehicle, and it hit drivers side of other vehicle head-on. Consumer's vehicle airbags did not deploy. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8014485, filed 2002-07“While at a standstill, a vehicle behind Prizm hit it, causing a frontal collision. Occurred at least 3 times, causing extensive damages to the front and back of the vehicle. Both airbags didnot deploy which did not protect the occupants in this accident and they sustained injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #814399, filed 1997-07Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 14% |
| 1999 | 14 | 58% |
| 1998 | 2 | 18% |
| 1997 | 15 | 30% |
| 1996 | 22 | 36% |
| 1995 | 31 | 32% |
| 1994 | 50 | 37% |
| 1993 | 27 | 35% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 GEO Prizm
14 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 GEO Prizm
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