1992 Geo Prizm Problems and Recalls (48 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1992 Geo Prizm is Body / frame (29% of 48 owner reports). There are 1 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Body / frame — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 48 complaints · 1 recalls

What problems show up on the 1992 Geo Prizm?

14 of 48 filings named Body / frame (29% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (12 reports).

This snapshot lists no safety recalls for this year. That is not a clean bill of health. Still check the VIN at nhtsa.gov.

The 1991 has 46 reports on file; this year has 48. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1992 Geo Prizm

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 1 campaigns on file below.
  2. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Seat belts. Check that every belt latches, retracts and that related recalls are closed.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Body / frame. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Body / frame 14 complaints · 29.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 4
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 2
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 1991 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Body / frame (STRUCTURE) appears in 14 of 48 owner complaints (29.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 14 complaints, 29.2% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 14 · 29.2% Engine (ENGINE): 12 complaints, 25.0% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 12 · 25.0% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 5 complaints, 10.4% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 crash reports 5 · 10.4% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 6.3% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 · 6.3% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 3 complaints, 6.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 · 6.3% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 2 complaints, 4.2% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 · 4.2% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 2 complaints, 4.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 2 · 4.2% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 2 complaints, 4.2% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 2 · 4.2% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 1 complaints, 2.1% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 · 2.1% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 47 complaints, 97.9% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 4 crash reports 47 · 97.9% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 14 29.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 12 25.0% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 5 10.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 6.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 6.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 4.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 4.2% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 2 4.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 2.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 47 97.9% 4 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Feb 2010. 1995-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 1995-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1995-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1995-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 1996-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 1996-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 1997-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1997-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 1997-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 1997-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 1998-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 1998-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1998-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 1999-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 1999-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 1999-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jan 1995 Feb 2010 Recall campaign 10E002000 ◆ Recall campaign 10E002000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 2
1995-Q2 Owner reports 1
1995-Q3 Owner reports 1
1995-Q4 Owner reports 4
1996-Q1 Owner reports 1
1996-Q2 Owner reports 1
1996-Q3 Owner reports 4
1996-Q4 Owner reports 5
1997-Q1 Owner reports 4
1997-Q2 Owner reports 2
1997-Q3 Owner reports 3
1997-Q4 Owner reports 2
1998-Q1 Owner reports 2
1998-Q2 Owner reports 1
1998-Q4 Owner reports 2
1999-Q1 Owner reports 1
1999-Q2 Owner reports 2
1999-Q3 Owner reports 2
2000-Q1 Owner reports 2
2000-Q3 Owner reports 2
2000-Q4 Owner reports 1
2001-Q1 Owner reports 1
2001-Q2 Owner reports 1
2004-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 10E002000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (1)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

  1. Recall campaign 10E002000

    Safety recall 10E002000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 48 complaints · page 1 of 2
2004-12-20Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10105111
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS/ PADS, AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
2001-06-05Engine (ENGINE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 889820
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ON JUNE 4TH, 2001 VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, CAUSING IT TO RUN HEAD-ON INTO A TREE AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD JUST SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN TO 2 TO 5 MPH. BODY SHOP IS IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER. *AK INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD MOST LIKELY NOT UNDERTAKE AN EXAMINATION AS IT WOULD NOT BE COST EFFECTIVE. IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT ALWAYS TURN, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER LUBED THE SWITCH. EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED. BATTERY REPLACED. STARTER REPLACED. TIMING BELT REPLACED. RADIATOR REPLACED. BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS TURNED TWICE, BRAKE SPRING KIT INSTALLED. ROAD SALT AND DEBRIS CORRODED AXLE WHOSE COVER HAS BEEN DESTROYED, NEEDS REPLACED. *SCL
2001-01-03TIRESUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 558677
CrashFireInjuryDeath
VALVE STEM LEAKS CAUSED THE 3 OF 4 MICHELIN TIRES TO GO FLAT THE DAY AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED. NLM
2000-10-10Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 872632
CrashFireInjuryDeath
3 OUT OF 4 DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN WHERE PLASTIC HOUSING IS LOCATED, CAUSING DOOR HANDLES TO BE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER WILL HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW TO USE OUT DOOR HANLDE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK
2000-08-11Engine (ENGINE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 727630
CrashFireInjuryDeath
NO SUMMARY
2000-07-11Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 865192
CrashFireInjuryDeath
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF. ALSO, FRONT WINDSHIELD DOES NOT BECOME CLEAN IN FOG.*AK
2000-03-15Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 720146
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I WAS ON MY WAY TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND ON THE WAY I STOPPED FOR GAS AND AFTER I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. ABOUT 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR LOCKED UP ON ME. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR. MY FATHER HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A PLACE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE CHECKED. THEY PUT A TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT WAS RUNNING PRETTY GOOD BUT AFTER A WEEK OR SO THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES. MY DAD TOOK MY CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ON HIS WAY HOME ,THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS JUST PUT IN THE CAR LOCKED UP ON HIM. I DID NOT FILL OUT THE DEALER INFORMATION BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE OWNER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER. *AK
2000-01-10Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 717138
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THESE FAILURES. NO DEFECT(S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
1999-07-11Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 838826
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING A HELICOPTER-LIKE BLADE SOUND CAME FROM CAR. CHARGED FOR FUEL PUMP ALTHOUGH FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
1999-07-07Engine (ENGINE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 841846
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ENGINE MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK SINCE AUG OF 1996. WOUL;D LIKE TO KNOW IF IS IT NORMAL WEAR FOR ENGIN E MANIFOLD TO CRACK AT 35,000 MILES. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1992 Geo Prizm?

Owners named Body / frame most often — 14 of 48 reports (29%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1992 Geo Prizm?

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaigns. This snapshot lists none, which is not a clean bill of health. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1992 Geo Prizm?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources