1997 Geo Prizm Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1997 Geo Prizm, and owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1997 Geo Prizm
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Air bags
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.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the air bag computer.
50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Geo Prizm have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA; 13 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 11 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 100,266 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 11 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 geo prizm. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle veered towards the left. The contact also stated that the seat belts were not connecting to their appro”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 8, 2011 · Suspension
“On 4/19/05 i was in an accident with my 97 geo prism. The vehicle air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts failed to operate correctly causing me to hit the steering wheel and dash causing severe”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 7, 2006 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Geo Prizm. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–26 / 27–32 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact 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 1997 Geo Prizm
How do I know if my 1997 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. 1 campaign currently lists the 1997 Geo Prizm; your car may already have been repaired under it.
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 (for example 97V043002).
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.