The 1997 Geo Prizm has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 17,094 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR BAG COMPUTER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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 appropriate buckles. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, however the manufacturer was notified.…”
“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 appropriate buckles. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, however the manufacturer was notified.…”
“Dt: the contact stated while traveling at 60 mph the contact's vehicle was involved in a collision with another vehicle. It was a frontal impact. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The manufacturer has not been contacted. The vehicle was totaled.*ak”
“During an accident the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt equipment failed to lock.*mr everyone inside the vehicle sustained some type of injury (geo prizm). *nm updated 12/22/05 *jb”
“During an accident the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt equipment failed to lock.*mr everyone inside the vehicle sustained some type of injury (geo prizm). *nm updated 12/22/05 *jb”
“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 injury to myself and minor passengers in the vehicle. I originally filed complaint through my…”
“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 injury to myself and minor passengers in the vehicle. I originally filed complaint through my…”
“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 injury to myself and minor passengers in the vehicle. I originally filed complaint through my…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Geo Prizm as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.