1990 GEO Storm Problems
- Complaints
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 GEO Storm (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1990 GEO Storm. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (22% of the total), followed by electrical system (9) and engine cooling (7). Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.
- Air bags10 22%
- Electrical system9 20%
- Engine cooling7 16%
- Steering6 13%
- Seat belts5 11%
- Seats3 6.7%
- Suspension3 6.7%
- Body and structure2 4.4%
- Other or unknown1 2.2%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Consumer drove off from stop light. Someone stopped in front of consumer, and she rearended the other vehicle on front end. The air bag on the driver's side did not deploy. The vehicle is totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #822878, filed 1998-04Electrical system: “I have already had the pick-up coil and ignitor module replace at 132,563 miles. Now beginning before 189,000 miles and after the problems with the car not starting (cold or hot) are starting to happen again. Yesterday, 4/17/2001 the car would not start I.”
NHTSA complaint #744203, filed 2001-04Engine cooling: “Problem with the ecu is a gmc manufacturing defect. Dealer will not replace ecu. Ecu has problem with board laminate expanding and contracting with temperature change which causes damage to the circuit board and chip connections. Should be recalled and replaced by GM free of charge for all Geo storms. Exhaust header is made of iron and rusts immediately after installation. A few years afterwards, exhaust header will crack and must be replaced at owner's cost. …”
NHTSA complaint #721759, filed 2000-04Steering: “Recall repairs to steering wheel could not be made because parts were not available. Dealer said owerer would be notified in writing when parts become available.”
NHTSA complaint #521793, filed 1997-07Complaints 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 1990 GEO Storm 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Storm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Storm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Storm FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
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
- 95V103007May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: GEO Storm 1990–1991, Tracker 1989–1991, Metro 1989–1991
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- 92V091001Jul 6, 1992Air bagsCovers: GEO Storm 1990–1992
The steering wheel center hub can fracture during certain frontal and near frontal vehicle collisions.
- 89V203000Nov 16, 1989Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCovers: GEO Storm 1990
When using front seatback release levers to tip front seatback forward to gain entry to, or exit from , the rear seat, it is possible to insert a finger into the seatback hinge mechanism.
Recall details for the 1990 GEO Storm → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE95035Steering column looseningClosed · Jun 7, 1995
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 GEO Storm.
Other model years of the GEO Storm
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 56 | 138,650 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 77 | 131,680 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 90 | 40,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 45 | — | 3 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All GEO Storm model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 GEO Storm have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1990 GEO Storm as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 GEO Storm is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (22% of the total), followed by electrical system with 9.
Has the 1990 GEO Storm been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 GEO Storm get?
The EPA rates the 1990 GEO Storm (Storm, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.