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Vehicle safety record

1997 Geo Metro Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 63 complaints about the 1997 Geo Metro with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (13) and the transmission & drivetrain (10). Those complaints describe 13 crashes, 2 fires and 12 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in September 1998 for the park / neutral start interlock switch. For comparison, the 1996 has 88 and the 1998 has 33.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical Metro year, for its age

#88 most complained-about 1997 vehicle

Complaints
63
Recalls
1
Crashes
13
Fires
2
Injuries
12
Deaths
0

Most common 1997 Geo Metro problems

Share of all 63 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1997 Geo Metro recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Power train: park / neutral start interlock switch

98V22500132,903 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle. The shift lever appears to be in "park," but can easily be moved from the "park" position without the use of the key, transaxle lever detent button, or depressing the brake.
The risk
If the shift lever were to come out of "park" while the vehicle is parked on a non-level surface, the vehicle could roll increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the shifter assembly. Until the vehicle is serviced, owners are advised when shifting to "park," always apply the park brake before releasing the service brake.

What owners say

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63 complaints about the 1997 Geo Metro

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.

Engine & cooling

The consumer slowed vehicle down from 65 mph and heard a knocking noise coming from under the hood. This caused the vehicle to stall. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the mechanic, and was informed that noise was coming from the engine. The mechanic then loosened o rings to stop the noise and stalling, but the noise and the stalling continued. The stalling occurred whenever the vehicle had to slow down or stop for any reason. *Ak *sc

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10103502
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainWheels & tires

One of the wheel hub caps came off and the tread of two tires began peeling off.*Nm a ticking sound was heard while the vehicle was being driven and getting louder every day. The transmission fluid appeared brown instead of pink. The vehicle was leaking oil. The spark plugs were worn out. The distributor cap cracked, the oil switch was bad, and the pcv valve was bad. The engine was replaced. The engine stalled when the vehicle reacheed the 25 mph mark. No check engine light comes on. The vehicle will not restart. *Tc

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · TiresNHTSA 10110924
BrakesAcceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

Consumer was in a commercial parking lot owner and while parking the vehicle applied brakes and vehicle took off. Consumer stepped on the brakes with both feet, and vehicle continued to surge forward. Consumer eventually got the vehicle to stop. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10099754
Body, doors & structureWheels & tires

I helped my mother in law purchase a new 1997 geo metro from a dealer in 1997. I am dissatified with the quality of the paint job. The paint is wearing off the trunk of the vehicle and appears to also be happening on the hood. In addition the chrome paint has worn off the wheel covers last year. We have maintained this car, washing , waxing etc as we have all our other vehicles so I don't believe improper maintenace is the cause. Is there any financial help available to remedy this problem. *Ak

Filed Incident Structure · WheelsNHTSA 10052774
Engine & cooling

Stalling problems. While driving engine will stop running. Manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recalls.*Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10022392
AirbagsEquipment & accessoriesCrash1 injury

FRONT DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Filed Incident Air bags · EquipmentNHTSA 10018321
Other & unknown

Cigarette lighter when pressed in will hurl outward into the car when it is hot. It happens consistently unless you hold onto the lighter. The car has had this defect since it was bought used at a dealership, in 2/ 1999 the incident date was chosen at random. *Jb

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10018319
AirbagsCrash

The vehicle was in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. *Jb

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10011643
AirbagsCrash1 injury

The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags did not deploy, consumer was injured.*Jb

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10009518
Other & unknown

The consumer noticed a wheel had come off the right side of a tractor trailer while driving on the highway, the wheel subsequently hit the drivers side of the consumers vehicle. *Jb

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10004095
Transmission & drivetrain

Brought car july 11, 2000-dec. 20,2000-Transmission replaced-aug. 23, 2002 Through sept. 30, 2002-Service engine light still on crank sensor seal o-ring replaced, burning oil, has a shake to it when driving and slowing down, and all this happened in the last two years. Mr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 767904
SuspensionBrakesLightsVisibility & wipersBody, doors & structure

While the vehicle was parked, it started to roll back with the vehicle being turned off, and the emergency brake up. Contacted dealer. *Ak the vehicle jumped a parking block and hit a fence, which hit the windshield, cracking it. The vehicle went under the fence and the fence scratched the vehicle from the front to the back. It damaged the front bumper, front lights, hood, fender, vent screen, left wiper arm, right to left wipers, lift gate, rear lights, and possible suspension damage. The total estimate is 3026.15. *Scc

Filed Incident Suspension · Parking brake · Exterior lighting · Visibility · Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 8015939
Transmission & drivetrainCrash

The vehicle was parked, the emergency brake was engaged, vehicle rolled, jumped a parking block, uprooted a fence, the top of the fence hit the windhsield causing it to crack, the fence went up over the vehicle causing damage from the front, to the back. I have the estimate from the body shop that it was taken to. I also have witnesses that saw that the parking brake was engaged.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 765427
AirbagsCrash

Vehicle was involved in a collision with a deer, and neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer have not been notified at this time.*Ak *jb

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 8014303
Fuel system

At 35-40mph and with no warning, engine stalled, could have caused an accident. Dealer notified. *Ak consumer found that the problem was with the connector at the fuel injector, the connectors contact had slightly opened, consumer closed some of the contacts and now the engine runs well. *Slc

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 8012627
Seats & seat belts

Driver's seatbelt will not retract. Has been this way since purchase, taken to dealer 3 times for repair. Was told there is no remedy.*Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 894324
Airbags

Vehicle was going 70mph and both front airbags deployed without any type of impact. Consumer and passenger received minor burns, but no injuries from airbags. Consumer will add vin to form.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 891927
Engine & cooling

When pulling out or traveling at low speeds engine will stall. This defect typically occurs during warm to hot weather on a frequent basis. Dealership informed consumer that vehicle is not being driven enough, and that gas could have been contaminated .*Ak consumer states throttle and distribution cap were sprayed and fuel injection cleaner was used frequently, consumer also states a new air filter was put in. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 887677
Wheels & tires

As consumer was inspecting firestone (tuwsps 15580r13) tires, consumer noticed one of the tires had spikes over an inch long all around the inside and the color around the perimeter is brown/rust not black. *Jb

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 560362
Visibility & wipers

Window on driver's side failed to up & down properly. Interferes with door regulator. Door would jam. Window tilts forward. Has happened four times. Been to dealer and repaired under warranty first time. Warranty ran ou. Took vehicle to an independent mechanic for repairs. Each time repaired problem would reappear. Passenger side window does not come down.*Ak

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 884810
Engine & coolingFuel system

Vehicle stalls when starting from a complete stop. Vehicle sometimes does not start. Sometimes goes away for a couple of days, then comes back. Contacted dealer, and dealer tuned up vehicle to fix problem. But, problem still occurs. *Ak the manufacturer had agreed to replace the fuel injection harness free of charge. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 883925
Transmission & drivetrain

When placing vehicle in park shift gear will not stay in park position. This could cause vehicle to roll freely. Also, vehicle will not disengage out of park position. Consumer also, recall 98v225001/manufacturer's recall 98052 does not include this vehicle due to vin. *Ak a diagnosis determind that the shifter cable was damaged due to gear shift malfunctions. *Yh

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 881254
Transmission & drivetrain

After the lever is released from park and put into reverse to backup the automatic transmission can easily slide into neutral and slide into drive without ever having to touch the button. Nlm

Filed Power trainNHTSA 559824
AirbagsCrash

Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and heard a snapping noise. Front wheel broke, and vehicle rolled three times and landed on roof upside down, and airbags didn't deploy. There were no injuries. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 880154
Engine & cooling

RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 559360

Geo Metro: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20016020Visibility & wipersA
200019031AirbagsA
199923040Transmission & drivetrainB
199833050BrakesB
1997631132Engine & coolingD
1996880275AirbagsF
19951091430AirbagsF
199469071Seats & seat beltsD
199351160Body, doors & structureC
All Metro years

1997 Geo Metro vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1997 Geo Metro63113D
1997 Geo Prizm50213DCompare
1997 Geo Tracker2505CCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1997 Geo Metro

Does the 1997 Geo Metro have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1997 Geo Metro: park / neutral start interlock switch (September 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Geo Metro?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (13), transmission & drivetrain (10), airbags (8).

How many complaints has the 1997 Geo Metro had?

63 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 21, 1997 and the latest on January 14, 2005. Of these, 13 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 12 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1997 Geo Metro a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 34 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Geo Metro year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Geo Metro years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1997 Geo Metro has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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