The 1997 Geo Metro has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 32,903 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN98V2250011998-09-2132,903 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT BUTTON, OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE.
Consequence
IF THE SHIFT LEVER WERE TO COME OUT OF "PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE BRAKE.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
9
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
8
7crashes3injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
3
1crashes1fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
2
1crashes
Total complaints90
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The consumer slowed vehicle down from 65 mph and heard a knocking noise coming from under the hood. This caused the vehicle to stall. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the mechanic, and was informed that noise was coming from the engine. The mechanic then loosened o rings to stop the noise and…”
“Consumer was in a commercial parking lot owner and while parking the vehicle applied brakes and vehicle took off. Consumer stepped on the brakes with both feet, and vehicle continued to surge forward. Consumer eventually got the vehicle to stop. *ak”
“Consumer was in a commercial parking lot owner and while parking the vehicle applied brakes and vehicle took off. Consumer stepped on the brakes with both feet, and vehicle continued to surge forward. Consumer eventually got the vehicle to stop. *ak”
“One of the wheel hub caps came off and the tread of two tires began peeling off.*nm a ticking sound was heard while the vehicle was being driven and getting louder every day. The transmission fluid appeared brown instead of pink. The vehicle was leaking oil. The spark plugs were worn out. The…”
“One of the wheel hub caps came off and the tread of two tires began peeling off.*nm a ticking sound was heard while the vehicle was being driven and getting louder every day. The transmission fluid appeared brown instead of pink. The vehicle was leaking oil. The spark plugs were worn out. The…”
“One of the wheel hub caps came off and the tread of two tires began peeling off.*nm a ticking sound was heard while the vehicle was being driven and getting louder every day. The transmission fluid appeared brown instead of pink. The vehicle was leaking oil. The spark plugs were worn out. The…”
“I helped my mother in law purchase a new 1997 geo metro from a dealer in 1997. I am dissatified with the quality of the paint job. The paint is wearing off the trunk of the vehicle and appears to also be happening on the hood. In addition the chrome paint has worn off the wheel covers last year.…”
“I helped my mother in law purchase a new 1997 geo metro from a dealer in 1997. I am dissatified with the quality of the paint job. The paint is wearing off the trunk of the vehicle and appears to also be happening on the hood. In addition the chrome paint has worn off the wheel covers last year.…”
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 Metro as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.