Geo Metro 1999

Model Metro made in 1999 by Geo got 38 consumer complains as well as 2 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling and visibility.

Model 1999

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
367610019200Service engine soon light due to a p0455 diagnostic trouble code - inspect evap purge valve vacuum hose. *tt02/16/2006
VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - EXTERIOR
00085100109/01/20006092333Some customers may comment that the black plastic housing around the outside rear view mirror turns chalky or is dull in color. *tt12/05/2000

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
04/17/2002111/01/2000
 Head-on impact- airbags failed to deploy-police at scene noted the bags should have deployed - the car was totaled by the impact. *ak
11/07/2000
 While driving at 45 mph rear ended vehicle in front. upon impact, driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect occupants in this crash. please provide further information. *ak
03/05/1999311/26/1998
 While at a stop a vehicle hit the metro in the rear and the metro went forward hitting another vehicle at a frontal impact, but the driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this accident. also, during the accident the driver's seatback broke, causing the occupant to fly backward and may have caused injuries. *ak
03/17/199901/01/1999
 Airbags should not have gone off at such low speed. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
05/16/200001/01/1999
 I believe cracked head engine gasket happened long ago and signs only showed 5/16/2000. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
12/12/199904/14/1999
 Engine idles high and the vehicle cruises without applying gas. problem has been reported to the dealership and customer service. consumer was told that the vehicle was designed that way. please provide any further information. *ak
01/15/1999311/09/1998
 Ongoing / intermittent problem with engine stalling while at slow speed, idling while coming to a stop or driving down a hill. vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on three occasions, and nothing could be found. can nhtsa help in this matter. *ak also there was a grending noise when the vehicle turns right. *yh
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
286001
 While driving vehicle stalled because the exhaust system snapped at the manifold. also, when starting vehicle made a loud noise until it warmed up. *ak
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
04/01/200369000108/05/2000
 Problems with transmission and air conditioner.*mr *ts. the air conditioner failed, the switch that went from low speed to high speed contained free play and only worked on high speed, the consumer was told the compressor failed. the consumer believed the was a defect with the transmission to fail at such low mileage. *jb
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
06/26/1999
 The fuel hose that connects to the fuel tank was not properly sealed, causing a fuel leak, and may have caused a fire if there was a source of ignition. please provide further information and vin#. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
05/02/2000107/24/1999
 When starting vehicle there is strong fuel smell which causes occupants to feel sick. *ak the smell comes through the vents. gm said it is normal all 98,99 and 2000's have this problem. *yh
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
07/23/200384391111/24/2001
 Window gaskets or door water seals are failing on all 4 doors. both front door locks are frozen; both front door handles are beginning to freeze; rear driver door lock and door handle is beginning to freeze; rear passenger door lock is beginning to freeze. front passenger door has been frozen to the point of not being able to open it from the inside. when door was dismantled extensive rust was found on all components. no work has been done to any doors to my knowledge otherwise. i am very concerned about becoming entrapped in the vehicle if the problem persists. i have lived in the northeast for most of my life and have never experienced this type of problem with any other vehicle. this vehicle is otherwise in excellent repair, and i have found no reason for the interior door rust other than failed gaskets or seals. please note this vehicle is a chevrolet, but metro is not listed as a chevrolet option on this site.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH
07/23/200384391111/24/2001
 Window gaskets or door water seals are failing on all 4 doors. both front door locks are frozen; both front door handles are beginning to freeze; rear driver door lock and door handle is beginning to freeze; rear passenger door lock is beginning to freeze. front passenger door has been frozen to the point of not being able to open it from the inside. when door was dismantled extensive rust was found on all components. no work has been done to any doors to my knowledge otherwise. i am very concerned about becoming entrapped in the vehicle if the problem persists. i have lived in the northeast for most of my life and have never experienced this type of problem with any other vehicle. this vehicle is otherwise in excellent repair, and i have found no reason for the interior door rust other than failed gaskets or seals. please note this vehicle is a chevrolet, but metro is not listed as a chevrolet option on this site.
108/28/1999
 The key in hard to insert into the driver and passengers door and has become jammed during insertion. *mjs
POWER TRAIN
2508/28/1999
 Speedometer needle wiggles at speeds between 20 and 45 mph, speedometer cable replaced and did not rectify problem. *mjs
08/28/1999308/01/1999
 The local dealer declined to repair the speedometer. on record reported no problems found off the record they told me nothing can be done about it. i feel that by reporting inaccurate speeds because the speedometer needle fluctuates even when going at a constant (same) speed, the driver doesn't know the exact speed he/she is going. the problem with the window for the rear has been repaired 3 times and the sealant (urathane) continues to seep out because of outside temps. the windshield also shows evidence but not as bad as the rear back window. more problems are present with the vehicle but they have not yet cause any safety concerns. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
04/01/200369000108/05/2000
 Problems with transmission and air conditioner.*mr *ts. the air conditioner failed, the switch that went from low speed to high speed contained free play and only worked on high speed, the consumer was told the compressor failed. the consumer believed the was a defect with the transmission to fail at such low mileage. *jb
 Transmission fluid leaking at high speed but not at low speed. dealer has been contacted. please provide further information.*ak
10/01/1999412/01/1998
 Transmission has been repaired three times to date, but with sub standard results. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
01/01/19011
 1999 geo metro consumer question about car repair money. consumer would to know about a grant for $200 dollars for a car repair since he can not afford to pay it for sure. *kb the consumer stated the cv joint and rear struts needed to be repaired/replaced. *jb
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - RETRACTOR
12/20/2002208/10/1999
 The passenger front and back seat belts did not retract after the buckle was released, the belts hung loose along side. (lock mechanism broke) dealer has been notified. *ts *jb
SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER
03/05/1999311/26/1998
 While at a stop a vehicle hit the metro in the rear and the metro went forward hitting another vehicle at a frontal impact, but the driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this accident. also, during the accident the driver's seatback broke, causing the occupant to fly backward and may have caused injuries. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
05/24/2000
 Excessive wear of brake pads. dealer/manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that pads were not covered under a warranty. feel free to provide any further details. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
05/01/2001
 Bought car in 5/2001 in 9/2001 problem with front rotors had them ground down in 9 & 10 of 2001 still having high speed shuddering problem in april of 2002 went back and had rotors replaced in may of 2002 dealer ship tells me it is the drums now that are the problem???? still have same problem with car since sept of 2001. *ak
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
03/04/2001101/01/1999
 The car was parked. i opened the door and the wind took it opening it past it's designed maximun. i was able to reclose the door with one hand, so the wind was not that strong. i feel the damage that occurred was excessive for a safely constructed vehicle. the parts that were designed to give way and are replaceable did not get damaged. the damage occured to the frame of the vehicle which is not designed to be replaceable and the parts to repair the damage must be fabricated. upon viewing the damage it is evident that there is a factory defect in this vehicle. this is not the first factory problem that i have had with this vehicle. at 18,000 miles a new engine was put in the vehicle while it was under warranty. the engine did not function properly from the time i drove it off the lot and the problem was determined to be a defective block, so the entire engine was replaced. quite honestly i'm afraid to drive the vehicle. if a little wind could be responsible for this much damage, what are my chances of surviving a even a minor impact from the side in this vehicle. i took it to a private body shop and they suggested that i contact chevrolet because of the severity of the damage did not seem consistent with the nature of the incident and the designed integrity of a road worthy vehicle! the car is sitting in the dealer lot at rydell chevrolet at 18600 devonshire st. in northridge, ca 91324 phone# (818) 832-1695 bill saxon is my contact. i would appeciate a representative from your organization to come out, view the damage that occured and make an unbiased determination of whether this situation was a result of another factory defect in this vehicle or not. a manufactures rep from chevrolet supposedly evaluated the vehicle and determined that it was not a defect, but i have not been presented with any documentation to that effect and have to assume that his opinion is a biased one. thank you for you time and consideration in this matter. sincerely, lou dewitt. *ak
SUSPENSION
09/03/1999308/28/1999
 Vehicle suspension system experiences noise and vibration/pulling, additional problems with uneven wear of the tires, several repair attempts, however no problem found, defective strut and mount replaced on two occasion however did not rectify problems. *mjs
01/15/1999311/09/1998
 Ongoing / intermittent problem with engine stalling while at slow speed, idling while coming to a stop or driving down a hill. vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on three occasions, and nothing could be found. can nhtsa help in this matter. *ak also there was a grending noise when the vehicle turns right. *yh
SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT
09/03/1999308/28/1999
 Vehicle suspension system experiences noise and vibration/pulling, additional problems with uneven wear of the tires, several repair attempts, however no problem found, defective strut and mount replaced on two occasion however did not rectify problems. *mjs
SUSPENSION - REAR
01/01/19011
 1999 geo metro consumer question about car repair money. consumer would to know about a grant for $200 dollars for a car repair since he can not afford to pay it for sure. *kb the consumer stated the cv joint and rear struts needed to be repaired/replaced. *jb
TIRES
2
 Original tires fail prematurely/flat, premature wear showed at 1,500 miles. yh
10/15/1999308/01/1999
 The problem with the window was reported yesterday 11/12/1999. i forgot to add that it may not cause safety problems now but months down the line and depending on the temperatures, the seepage of the sealant can cause the seal around the window to be ineffective and ultimately cause water to enter through the cabin area. when that happens it could cause shortage and risk to major components. the problem with the tires are that they showed pre-mature uneven wearing on the outer treads of all tires at approximately 1,500 miles. this wearing can be hazardous during wet driving conditions as the grip of the tires to adhered to the road can be limited. i reported 3 tires/failures because i had to replace one original because of a flat that was unrepairable. *ak( dot number: 284 tire size: p15580r13 )
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CRUISE CONTROL
01/15/1999311/09/1998
 Ongoing / intermittent problem with engine stalling while at slow speed, idling while coming to a stop or driving down a hill. vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on three occasions, and nothing could be found. can nhtsa help in this matter. *ak also there was a grending noise when the vehicle turns right. *yh
VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR
08/28/1999308/28/1999
 The sealant seeps out from between the rubber seal and the glass, upon delivery of vehicle, several repairs however continues. *mjs
08/28/1999308/01/1999
 The local dealer declined to repair the speedometer. on record reported no problems found off the record they told me nothing can be done about it. i feel that by reporting inaccurate speeds because the speedometer needle fluctuates even when going at a constant (same) speed, the driver doesn't know the exact speed he/she is going. the problem with the window for the rear has been repaired 3 times and the sealant (urathane) continues to seep out because of outside temps. the windshield also shows evidence but not as bad as the rear back window. more problems are present with the vehicle but they have not yet cause any safety concerns. *ak
VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
10/15/1999308/01/1999
 The problem with the window was reported yesterday 11/12/1999. i forgot to add that it may not cause safety problems now but months down the line and depending on the temperatures, the seepage of the sealant can cause the seal around the window to be ineffective and ultimately cause water to enter through the cabin area. when that happens it could cause shortage and risk to major components. the problem with the tires are that they showed pre-mature uneven wearing on the outer treads of all tires at approximately 1,500 miles. this wearing can be hazardous during wet driving conditions as the grip of the tires to adhered to the road can be limited. i reported 3 tires/failures because i had to replace one original because of a flat that was unrepairable. *ak( dot number: 284 tire size: p15580r13 )

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
CAFONTANA92336R&B AUTO CENTER909-829-1140
WASEATTLE98133CHUCK OLSON CHEVROLER