1990 Geo Prizm: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 54 complaints
54
Total Complaints
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Top Issue
5
Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
1
WHEELS
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
1

Severity Assessment

5
Crashes
2
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"AUTO-TRAN: WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, TRANSMISSION FROZE; WHEELS LOCKED UP; STARTED MAKING UNFAMILIAR SOUND; SEVERAL LOUD THUMPS, THEN FROZE. TT"
"AUTO-TRAN: WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, TRANSMISSION FROZE; WHEELS LOCKED UP; STARTED MAKING UNFAMILIAR SOUND; SEVERAL LOUD THUMPS, THEN FROZE. TT"
"FLUID DRAINED FROM TRANSAXLE, CAUSING TRANSAXLE TO BECOME DAMAGED, FREEZE AND CRACK HOUSING. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28