Geo Metro recalls

4 official safety recalls for the Geo Metro from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Shift lever may move out of Park

    Reported September 21, 1998Model years 1997NHTSA campaign 98V22500132,903 vehicles affected

    The shift lever may appear to be in Park but move out of that position without using the key, shift button or brake. The vehicle could roll on a slope, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the shifter assembly. Until then, apply the parking brake before releasing the service brake.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Remedy
    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.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 3, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET/GEO AT 1-800-222-1020.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

  2. Front seat belt buckle buttons may break

    Reported May 24, 1995Model years 1989–1991NHTSA campaign 95V103007466,902 vehicles affected

    A release button can break, allowing pieces into the buckle and causing it to work improperly. The seat belt may not protect an occupant adequately in a crash. Check both buckles; a dealer will repair or replace a faulty buckle free of charge. A remedy for buttons that are not broken is being developed.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    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.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT CHEVROLET/GEO AT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONALTRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  3. Rear brake drums may cause wheel studs to fail

    Reported October 26, 1994Model years 1995NHTSA campaign 94V213000435 vehicles affected

    Incorrectly machined rear brake drums can reduce wheel clamp load, placing the tire loads on the wheel studs. The studs may fail and a wheel could separate without warning, causing a crash. The rear brake drums will be replaced.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
    Defect
    THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE NOT CORRECTLY MACHINED. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, LOSS OF WHEEL CLAMP LOAD CAN RESULT FROM THIS CONDITION. ONCE CLAMP LOAD IS LOST, ALL TIRE LOADS ARE DIRECTLY TAKEN BY THE WHEEL STUDS. THIS LOADING CAN CAUSE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
    Consequence
    IF THIS OCCURS, A WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
    Remedy
    REPLACE REAR BRAKE DRUMS.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; SHOE AND DRUM SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 3-DOOR, NON-ABS EQUIPPED PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  4. Hood striker cracks may prevent latch engagement

    Reported November 23, 1993Model years 1989–1993NHTSA campaign 93V189001356,097 vehicles affected

    Misplaced spot welds can cause cracks in the hood panel, preventing the striker from engaging the latch. The hood could fly up while driving, obstructing the driver's view and potentially causing a crash. Dealers will secure the striker with two bolts and nuts and check that the latch fasteners are tight.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
    Defect
    MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
    Consequence
    AN IMPROPERLY ENGAGED HOOD LATCH MAY RESULT IN A HOODFLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEWAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    GM DEALERS WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; HOOD ASSEMBLY.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREEOF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO, PLEASE CONTACT THENATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT1-800-424-9393.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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