Geo Prizm recalls

4 official safety recalls for the Geo Prizm 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. Air bag may deploy after a mechanical shock

    Reported March 20, 1997Model years 1997NHTSA campaign 97V04300217,094 vehicles affected

    A mechanical shock shortly after the engine starts can cause the air bag computer to deploy the air bag unexpectedly, risking occupant injury. Dealers will repair the air bag computer.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS
    Defect
    IF THE AIR BAG COMPUTER IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A MECHANICAL SHOCK (I.E., RAPIDLY MOVING THE FRONT SEAT BACK AGAINST THE STOPS OR A SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE PARKING BRAKE) WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED, THE AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY.
    Consequence
    UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR BAG COMPUTER.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN LATE MARCH 1997. NOTE: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 GEO AT 1-800-222-1020.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  2. Spilled liquid may cause air bag to deploy

    Reported June 20, 1996Model years 1993–1995NHTSA campaign 96V107000627,858 vehicles affected

    Liquid spilled near the console may trigger the air bag warning light and could cause unintended deployment. Dealers will fit a protective cover over the sensor and replace sensors damaged by previous spills.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
    Defect
    IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
    Consequence
    THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: INTERIOR; PASSIVE RESTRAINT; AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN. NOTE: 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 TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  3. Battery terminal weld may separate

    Reported October 11, 1995Model years 1995NHTSA campaign 95V1950024,481 vehicles affected

    A defective weld inside a battery terminal can separate, causing a no-start condition or battery explosion. Dealers will replace defective batteries.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
    Defect
    THE BATTERY CAN HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD INSIDE THE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE TERMINAL ALLOWING THE CONNECTION INSIDE OF THE TERMINAL TO SEPARATE.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION, OR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BATTERIES.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; BATTERY.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: 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 GEO AT 1-800-222-1020. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  4. Wheel lug nuts may be undertorqued

    Reported November 9, 1990Model years 1991NHTSA campaign 90V191000654 vehicles affected

    Lug nuts may be below the recommended torque, allowing the wheel to loosen or fall off and potentially cause loss of control or a crash. The wheel cover will be removed, the lug nuts torqued to specification, and full wheel covers retained by spring clips installed.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
    Defect
    LUG NUTS THAT RETAIN WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS.
    Consequence
    INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING OF LUG NUTS RETAINING THE WHEELCOVER AND WHEEL COULD RESULT IN A LOOSE WHEEL THAT COULD FALL OFF WITH POTENTIALFOR LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    REMOVE ORIGINAL WHEEL COVER, TORQUE LUG TO SPECIFICATION, AND INSTALL FULL WHEEL COVERS THAT ARE RETAINED BY SPRING CLIPS.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: WHEEL LUG NUTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

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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