- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button is pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer is developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Geo Storm Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 1990 Geo Storm with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (10) and the electrical system (9). Those complaints describe 11 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1991 has 91.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Storm year, for its age
#37 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 46
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 11
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 9
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1990 Geo Storm problems
Share of all 46 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 Geo Storm recalls 3
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
- The problem
- The steering wheel center hub can fracture during certain frontal and near frontal vehicle collisions.
- The risk
- Fracturing of the steering wheel hub can decrease thedriver's control of the vehicle and could reduce the crash protection of thesteering system and the driver's side air bag.
- The fix
- A steering wheel reinforcement plate and nut will be added to the steering wheel hub.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could result in the finger being pinched andpossibly seriously injured.
- The fix
- Repair to prevent condition that would permit finger injury.
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
46 complaints about the 1990 Geo Storm
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Upon finding out that the is a recall call on my 1990 geo storm that affect the seat seat belts and air bag the manufacture and dealership both refused to rush the parts needed to affect the repairs and told me that if I wished to drive the car with all the retraint systems in the front under recall it was my own problem and they wouldn't even ship the parts by air. My safety isn't worth air frieght. The car is illegal to operate on the streets with defective seatbeltsl this safety recall is in my opinion not being dealt with in a timely matter to insure my safety . *Ak
Some one should fix the problem so I can buy a new ecm. *Ak
The wire connecting to the pawl, which is connected to the manual lever to the pawl opposite the lever appears to be engaged but is only partually engaged, when an accident occurs the partial engagement is pulled out by the unengaged side resulting in the entire seat to slide forward, as a result the occupant's sustains lower leg or foot injuries in offset frontal crashes. Nlm
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. *Ak
The 1990 geo storm (auto) will not only stall, but is starting to accelerate unintentionally. The car also seems to stall in relativly tight turns. My main problem is the hesitation and surging/acceleration. I have heard through internet news groups that their is a defective ecm component on this car and that this defect was communicated to chevy/geo dealers through its technical literature. So far, I am spending hundreds of dollars on repairs that will not solve the problem. If the dealers know about the defective ecm, what kind of recourse can I take to have it repaired and/or receive my money back for the unneeded repairs. If the car continues to do this, it can become a hazard.*Ak
Clutch cables were threaded through firewall. Overtime usage of clutch would cause cables to rip through firewall. Problem has happened twice, and has been repaired twice. *Ak
I was asking around about why my car idles funny and I was pointed to your page I have to keep my foot on the brake to keep the car from accelerating even though my foot is not on the peddle also when I start the car it wants to hover at about 2,000 rpm and when I drop the car in gear it surges and then drops to around 1,500 rpm I also feel as though I have to stand on the brakes sometimes when it is doing this to keep it from rolling.
While traveling about 65mph on highway speedometer dropped to zero and vehicle just shut off. Without prior warning. Then, he realized that vehicle wouldn't respond. Vehicle had to be towed. *Ak consumer states ignition module had to be replaced.*Jb
Vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer had to hold the brakes so that vehicle would slowdown. Also, consumer smelled gasoline coming though the vent area. *Ak
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Seems to be a common problem with 1990/91 1.6 Geo storms. No safety defect listed in the summary. *Ak
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. This part should be replaced by dealer with same part, free of charge, every time it breaks, or replaced with a component that will not rust and crack. *Ak
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Every since ive had the car in aug of 1999 the struts or shocks, whichever it has,have been shot...The car rocks side to side when I drive over a bump or a dip... The scariest part of that is that it happens more on the freeway and I also have three kids in the car with me, ive almost lost control of the car a couple of times...Cant fix the problem because the part is just too expensive....Also the passenger door has not opened since ive had the car....Ive tried working on it but its just to hard to get the panel...
Read the full complaint
off the door...Earlier this month my water pump started leaking and on 03/10/00 it finally went out and at the same time the timing belt broke....So now im without a car...Hopefully nothing else happened....The cvboot on the front drivers side is also torn...So most likely the axle will go out too...If there is something u can do for me please let me know....Thank u...Sharlene. *Ak
Ac delco used a insulative spray on the circuit boards in these ecus/computers which shrinks over time when exposed to warm and cool temperature conditions, such as the normal conditions that an automobile is subjected to. The shrinking insulative spray contracts and pulls the electronic components from the circuit board, breaking solder connections and causing shorts. The symptoms of this fault are most notably erratic idle, idle revving and dropping, idle dipping often with engine dying, idle hanging high above 2,000 rpm, and engine dying or stalling for no reason with no trouble codes. *Ak
Ecm failure began slightly after I purchased the car with 80000 miles on it. Engine would run, then shut down for no apparent reason, which could be a severe hazard. Mechanic identified problem, and dealership reported they had seen many storms with the same problem. Since then I have spoken to 20 or 30 other storm owners whos cars developed simialr problems after 3 years or 80000 miles depending on how car was driven. Would also like to recieve further correspondance on ability to have car recalled on such premises. *Ak
This is concerning the varying idle speed problems on the storm that was repaired by isuzu/gm under warranty, but does not cover vehicles out of warranty. My car's idle speed varies and surges, resulting in stalls and occasional jerky takeoffs.
At idle after car warms up, engine tends to surge up from 800rpm to 3000rpm while in drive. This lauches the car forward at a stop.
Fire from rear of vehicle, possibly due to short in tail light wiring. (Ohio state police report).
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. *Ak
Vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon inpact, the driver's and passenger's seat broke and went to the rear of the vehicle which resulted in the front passenger falling to the rear of the vehicle because of the seat breaking. *Ak
Owner hit another car head-on and air bag didn't deploy. *Ak
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.
Airbag didnt deploy and seat belts didnt lock during crash. Cause unknown. *Ak
The vehicle was rearended by a van at 70 mph, causing the front driver's seat to break and lay flat. *Ak
Geo Storm: every year compared
All Storm years1990 Geo Storm vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Geo Storm | 46 | 3 | C | |
| 1990 Geo Metro | 39 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Geo Prizm | 38 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Geo Tracker | 25 | 1 | C | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1990 Geo Storm
Does the 1990 Geo Storm have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1990 Geo Storm: buckle assembly (May 1995); air bags (July 1992); recliner (November 1989). 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 1990 Geo Storm?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (10), electrical system (9), seats & seat belts (7).
How many complaints has the 1990 Geo Storm had?
46 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 26, 1994 and the latest on February 16, 2004. Of these, 11 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 9 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1990 Geo Storm a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 52 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Geo Storm 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 Storm years have the most complaints?
1991 (91), 1992 (79), 1993 (57). See every Geo Storm year compared.
What should I do if my 1990 Geo Storm 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