The 1990 Geo Storm has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 693,408 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. 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…
AIR BAGS92V0910011992-07-06211,306 affected
Defect
THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Consequence
FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Remedy
A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
SEATS89V2030001989-11-1615,200 affected
Defect
WHEN USING FRONT SEATBACK RELEASE LEVERS TO TIP FRONT SEATBACK FORWARD TO GAIN ENTRY TO, OR EXIT FROM , THE REAR SEAT, IT IS POSSIBLE TO INSERT A FINGER INTO THE SEATBACK HINGE MECHANISM.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FINGER BEING PINCHED ANDPOSSIBLY SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Remedy
REPAIR TO PREVENT CONDITION THAT WOULD PERMIT FINGER INJURY.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
9
9crashes6injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
2
2fires
SEATS
2
1crashes3injuries
STEERING
2
Total complaints56
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Upon finding out that the is a recall call on my 1990 geo storm that affect the seat seat belts and air bag the manufacture and dealership both refused to rush the parts needed to affect the repairs and told me that if I wished to drive the car with all the retraint systems in the front under…”
“Upon finding out that the is a recall call on my 1990 geo storm that affect the seat seat belts and air bag the manufacture and dealership both refused to rush the parts needed to affect the repairs and told me that if I wished to drive the car with all the retraint systems in the front under…”
“I have already had the pick-up coil and ignitor module replace at 132,563 miles. Now beginning before 189,000 miles and after the problems with the car not starting (cold or hot) are starting to happen again. Yesterday, 4/17/2001 the car would not start I. *ak”
“The 1990 geo storm (auto) will not only stall, but is starting to accelerate unintentionally. The car also seems to stall in relativly tight turns. My main problem is the hesitation and surging/acceleration. I have heard through internet news groups that their is a defective ecm component on this…”
“I was asking around about why my car idles funny and I was pointed to your page I have to keep my foot on the brake to keep the car from accelerating even though my foot is not on the peddle also when I start the car it wants to hover at about 2,000 rpm and when I drop the car in gear it surges…”
“Vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer had to hold the brakes so that vehicle would slowdown. Also, consumer smelled gasoline coming though the vent area. *ak”
“Vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer had to hold the brakes so that vehicle would slowdown. Also, consumer smelled gasoline coming though the vent area. *ak”
“No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95014 Opened 1995-04-25 · closed 1995-07-28
SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE95035 Opened 1995-06-07 · closed 1995-10-10
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Geo Storm as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.