The 1989 Geo Metro has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 822,999 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the latches/locks/linkages. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030071995-05-24466,902 affected
Defect
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS…
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
5
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
2
1crashes
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
2
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
1crashes
Total complaints29
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1. Hood flew up on freeway and shatterd windshield and damage hood beyond repair. 2.fuel system the car would stall 3. Would wear out brake pads unevenly and scar roters”
“1. Hood flew up on freeway and shatterd windshield and damage hood beyond repair. 2.fuel system the car would stall 3. Would wear out brake pads unevenly and scar roters”
“1. Hood flew up on freeway and shatterd windshield and damage hood beyond repair. 2.fuel system the car would stall 3. Would wear out brake pads unevenly and scar roters”
“On october 8, 2001, the hood of our 1989 geo metro flew up and cracked our windshield, destroyed the hood and obscured our vision. After talking with another geo owner we were told there was a recall on geo metros for a hood latch defect. When looking at our hood it was evident this is what…”
“The hood latch failed. Causing the hood to open during vehicle operation. Recal no 93 v 189 001 for the hood latches, had been fixed on 2-17-96.*ak”
“Consumer was driving and the front hood came open, almost accident, couldn't see. Please describe .*ak”
“Hood latch failed, causing hood to fly up.”
“Owner mounted the hood down and dlr will not fix it now 93v189001. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA93006 Opened 1993-02-26 · closed 1993-11-26
HOOD FLY-UPS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA93006 Opened 1993-02-26 · closed 1993-11-26
HOOD FLY-UPS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA95014 Opened 1995-04-25 · closed 1995-07-28
SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE90084 Opened 1990-05-30 · closed 1990-08-14
REAR SUSPENSION FAILS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE92085 Opened 1992-10-26 · closed 1993-02-19
HOOD FLY-UP
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE94092 Opened 1994-12-21 · closed 1995-04-25
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Geo Metro as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.