1996 Geo Prizm Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1996 Geo Prizm, and owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1996 Geo Prizm. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Geo Prizm have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA; 22 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 22 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 130,822 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 12 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 geo prizm. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag and front passenger air bag abruptly deployed when the ignition switch was engaged. The contact sustained burn”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 1, 2019 · Air bags
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 geo prizm. While driving various speeds over a bump in the road, the vehicle pulled to the left. The failure recurred two or three times per day. The vehicle was taken to a”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 5, 2016 · Suspension
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Geo Prizm. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25–29 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 23–26 / 27–32 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/1.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Geo Prizm model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Geo Prizm model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 Geo Prizm | 0 | 37 |
| 1991 Geo Prizm | 1 | 46 |
| 1992 Geo Prizm | 0 | 50 |
| 1993 Geo Prizm | 1 | 77 |
| 1994 Geo Prizm | 1 | 134 |
| 1995 Geo Prizm | 2 | 96 |
| 1996 Geo Prizm | 0 | 61 |
| 1997 Geo Prizm | 1 | 50 |
| 1998 Geo Prizm | 0 | 11 |
| 1999 Geo Prizm | 0 | 24 |
| 2000 Geo Prizm | 0 | 7 |
| 2001 Geo Prizm | 0 | 6 |
| 2002 Geo Prizm | 0 | 3 |
Checking a specific 1996 Geo Prizm
How do I know if my 1996 Geo Prizm has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Geo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Geo models
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.