1997 GEO Prizm Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 30%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 121,325miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 GEO Prizm, 30% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,325 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 4/19/05 I was in an accident with my 97 Geo prism. The vehicle air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts failed to operate correctly causing me to hit the steering wheel and dash causing severe injury to myself and minor passengers in the vehicle. I originally filed complaint through my attorney kenneth miller, jr. Baton rouge, la. I want to settle this case asap.”
NHTSA complaint #10161797, filed 2006-07, 112,650 miles“Dt: the contact stated while traveling at 60 MPH the contact's vehicle was involved in a collision with another vehicle. It was a frontal impact. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The manufacturer has not been contacted. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10144524, filed 2005-12, 132,000 miles“During an accident the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt equipment failed to lock. Everyone inside the vehicle sustained some type of injury (Geo Prizm). Updated 12/22/05”
NHTSA complaint #10124706, filed 2005-05, 130,000 miles“When vehicle was involved in a frontal crash air bag on the driver's side did not deploy fast enough, causing driver to hit head on steering wheel. Vehicle was not totalled. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #872615, filed 2000-10“Vehicle was hit from a stop position and forced into another vehicle in front. Speed of impact was undetermined, but both air bags failed to depoly. No injuries were reported. Dealer/manufacturer were not contacted at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #854343, filed 1999-12Related recalls
- 97V043002Mar 20, 1997If the air bag computer in a subject vehicle experiences a mechanical shock (I.e., rapidly moving the front seat back against the stops or a sudden release of…Covers: GEO Prizm 1997
Air 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 1997 GEO Prizm
17 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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