1992 Geo Metro

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

76/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Geo Metro, and it carries 1 recall. 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Seat belts	10	14%
Suspension	9	12%
Structure	7	9%
Latches/locks/linkages	6	8%
Power train	6	8%
Service brakes	5	7%
Electrical system	4	5%
Visibility	4	5%
Air bags	4	5%
Exterior lighting	3	4%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SUPPORT RUSTED AND COULD POSSIBLY BREAK AND RELEASE THE CONTROL ARM. A LOCAL BODY SHOP SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE CONTROL ARM SUPPORT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE CONTROL ARM HOOKS RUSTED. AS A RESULT, STEERING WAS INOPERABLE. *AK *JB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BEING RUSTED, THERE WAS BE ERRATIC STEERING CONTROL. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT HAS A GUARD THAT PINCHES THE BOTH SIDES OF THE CHILD'S LEGS. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE HARNESS WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED EITHER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Child seat

CONTIINUOUS PROBLEM/ ASKED DEALER ABOUT IT AND HE ACTED DUMB ABOUT IT . CAN'T EVEN FIND UNBROKEN ONES AT JUNK YARD..... AND NOBODY HAS QUESTIONED THIS ,HMMMMM. NO SAFETY DEFECT INCLUDED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure

HOOD ASSEMBLY REPAIRED AS PER RECALL, BUT BOLTS HAVE DETACHED FROM HOOD AND LATCH IS NOT SECURE, HAVE BUNGI-CORRODED HOOD TO CAR FRAME, BUT CONTINUE TO NOT DRIVE CARE OVER 30MPH. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages

FRONT END BROKE APART WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON AN EXPRESSWAY, IN THE FAST LANE, WHEN THE HOOD LATCH BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO POP UP AND COMPLETELY BLOCK MY VISION OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH T
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1992 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.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch 93V189001

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 seven scores

Reliability raw	90	excellent
Longevity est.	82	excellent
Maintenance	90	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	34	below average
Efficiency	63	average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 65% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 76% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 100% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 56% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 90: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 82: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1992 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 90: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1992 Geo Metro?

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 10 of them (14%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1992 Geo Metro reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 90/100 (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.

How long will a 1992 Geo Metro last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1992 Geo Metro?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 76/100. 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.