1999 GEO Prizm Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles, 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.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 GEO Prizm (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1999 GEO Prizm. The part named most often is air bags, with 14 complaints (58% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and electrical system (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 125,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Air bags14 58%
- Brakes4 17%
- Electrical system3 13%
- Engine cooling2 8.3%
- Exterior lighting1 4.2%
- Seat belts1 4.2%
- Seats1 4.2%
- Steering1 4.2%
- Suspension1 4.2%
- Tires1 4.2%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I was rearended in an accident on 10-11-00 at a stop light, which in turn pushed me into the car in front of me, I was hit at 45 miles an hour, my trunk was compacted to 6 inches. The front right side has a 2 foot area that is missing and then caught on fire, and yet my air bags didn't deploy. Either the passenger or drivers. The car was still under warranty and had no problems with the air bags that could be seen or checked. This is very trubbling to me.”
NHTSA complaint #734225, filed 2000-10Brakes: “I have complained about a loss of brakes several times with GM. This time, I managed to jerk the steering wheel around and a large log truckl missed me by inches. Gm cannot duplicate the problem, I have a vehicle I don't dare to drive anymore.”
NHTSA complaint #749887, filed 2001-08Electrical system: “The drl module failed, causing several lighting anomiles and odd engine revving followed by the engine stopping. Following that, the engine started normally but died when the lights were manually activated. After that,the car started and the same lighting anomolies repeated, the engine died and the lights woulnd't turn off. With the drl module disconnected, the lights did not operate. The part wasn't in stock at the dealerships in my area and it had to be ordered. I was without my car from 5/17 until the afternoon of 5/21.”
NHTSA complaint #746043, filed 2001-05Engine cooling: “On 4 occassions when going approx. 40-45 MPH, engine seemed as if the power just sort of dropped out for several seconds. On two separate occassions, when stopped at a stoplight, when light turned green & I pushed on gas pedal to accelerate, car completely turned itself off. Dealer could not re-create problem and offered no explanation.”
NHTSA complaint #720520, filed 2000-03Mileage 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 125,000 and 125,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1999 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
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. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 10190932Feb 1, 2014Equipment, Wheels. Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o…
- 10190931Feb 1, 2014Equipment, Wheels. Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o…
- 10190934Jan 1, 2014Equipment, Body and structure. Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's…
- 10190933Jan 1, 2014Body and structure, Equipment. Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's…
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10012558Nov 1, 2005Engine cooling. Avoiding oil baffle damage during oil fill process.
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 1999 GEO Prizm have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1999 GEO Prizm as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 GEO Prizm is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 14 complaints (58% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.
Has the 1999 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 GEO Prizm reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 125,000 miles and the middle half falls between 125,000 and 125,000 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 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.