Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Geo Metro, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 15 | 25% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 15 | 25% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 8% |
| Structure | 4 | 7% |
| Seats | 3 | 5% |
| Air bags | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seats
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR COLLISION WHERE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS BECAME UN-BUCKLED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PASSENGER BEING EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND KILLED. RELATED RECALL 95V103007, M
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS IN MOTION WHEN THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND, FOLLOWED BY LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALL BRAKING AND STEERING POWER WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE UN
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT HAD A FLAT, VEERING TO RIGHT. ALSO GRINDING NOISE. WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS TORN AND RUBBED ON WHEEL WELL FRAME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRAME WHERE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES FAILED DUE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
GUARDS THAT COVER FUEL LINES UNDERNEATH VEHICLE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
RESEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND SHOWED A RECALL ON THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY UNIT! MY HOOD FLUNG OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTERSTATE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO HIT THE MAIN WINSHIELD AND CRACK! LUCKILY THE WINDSHIELD ITSE
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
DRIVER'S SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONED. IN A CRASH DRIVER WAS SEATBELTED, BUT SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, DEALER HAD FIXED THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SHOULD
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE . SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED AT THE TIME. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WER
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Geo Metro. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 A
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 34 | below average |
| Efficiency | 63 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 15 of them (25%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.