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1996 Geo Metro problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Geo Metro is airbags. It has 14.7 times the complaints of a typical Metro model year.

Typical year14.7x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
88
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
14
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
28-40mpg

The worst 1996 Geo Metro problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    28
  • Electrical
    12
  • Brakes
    10
  • Engine
    9
  • Seats
    6
  • Visibility
    6
  • Lights
    5
  • Tires
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Body
    4
  • Suspension
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Steering
    2
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Geo Metro

No deployment 17Headlights 6

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Geo Metro 14

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 14 bulletins for the 1996 Geo Metro

1996 Geo Metro fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.0L 3‑cylFWD374440
1.3L 4‑cylFWD26-3331-3928-35

What 1996 Geo Metro owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 25, 2011 · Locks · 175,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 geo metro. The contact stated that the two rear doors would not unlock from neither the interior nor exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her that they did not have her vehicle listed in the database and could provide no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 1/4/11

Filed Feb 21, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 141,685 miles · PA

I purchased a 1996 geo metro sedan from a friend and I had driven it for about 3 months. The frame had rotted away from the control arms and broke the axel out of the transmission. I have also started to see this in other metros. I was wondering why there wasn't a recall on this from the manufacturer and if there was I would like to know because now I am without a car. If you could contact me that would be great.

Filed Aug 26, 2007 · Body · 116,000 miles · OH

My daughter was turning into a private driveway. Lost steering and car came to immediate stop. The right front frame had rusted through and dropped car onto the assembly for the right front tire causing it to break and allowing the tire to turn outwards and stop the car. There is no repair to this, the car will be junked. If she had been on the highway this probably would have been a very serious accident. This really surprised us as the car had only a small amount of rust on the surfaces that we could see. When the garage had the car up on the rack to show me the problem I could see quite a bit of rusting on all the front components, but none on the rear. I am the original owner of the car, we have taken reasonably good care of it.

Filed Nov 20, 2006 · Body · OH

1996 geo metro frame rusted and broke off while driving. *ts

Filed Jul 7, 2006 · Tires · CO

Dt*: the contact stated that while driving 75 MPH the passenger front tire blew out. The service dealer found air coming out between the valve stem and the tire. After ten days, the driver side front tire blew out while driving 50 MPH. The service dealer found air coming out in the same area. There were no accidents prior to these incidents. The proper pressure recommended by the manufacturer was unknown and pressure checks were not performed. There was also no vibration before the incident. He brand name of the tire is turismo two.

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Engine · FL · crash

Dt: the contact complained about a crank shaft problem in the engine. The crank shaft pulley has already been replaced. After hearing a noise in the engine, she took the vehicle to be checked. The mechanic said that a belt broke. The belt was replaced, and a week later she heard another noise in the engine. The mechanic said it was the crank shaft pulley. Two weeks later, the car was involved in a crash. After the crash the vehicle stalled. After being inspected the bolt came loose in the crank shaft. The car was experiencing a loss of power. She could have foot on the accelerator and the car would not get up to speed. Another mechanic told her it was the crank shaft. She has not made any arrangement to have vehicle repaired.

Filed Jun 1, 2005 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · FL

The headlights on my wife's car, like so many others, have become almost opaque. After having the lights repaired at substantial cost I was told that it is due to uv exposure and that it does not affect all makes. Apparently some manufacturers produce lights that continue to function after exposure to sunlight. Some do not. I feel this is a real safety hazard. It significantly reduces the light output and it only takes a few minutes looking about any parking lot to realize that most go uncorrected. Why can't all manufacturers use headlights that do not turn yellow?

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Suspension · FL

Vehicle was taken to dealer for an alignment, and the mechanic noticed that the air conditioning was leaking fluid onto the front right wheel frame. There was so much liquid that the frame holding the wheel rusted, which could cause the wheel to fall off.

Filed Oct 23, 2004 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · GA

Fuse box/headlight connection burnt/melted. Headlights non operative, only daytime running lights available. Replaced fusebox for second time. Replaced butt conector for fourth time.

Filed Jul 27, 2004 · Engine · VA

While driving smoke and steam was coming in from the vents. Consumer pulled over, and noticed that fluid was leaking inside of the vehicle onto the floor. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the thermostat and radiator cap needed to be replaced.

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Questions about the 1996 Geo Metro

Is the 1996 Geo Metro reliable?

Owners have filed 88 complaints about the 1996 Geo Metro, 14.7 times a typical Metro model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Geo Metro?

Airbags, with 28 complaints. Next is electrical (12).

How many recalls does the 1996 Geo Metro have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Geo Metro have bad airbags?

The Geo Metro model years with the most airbags complaints are 1995 (29 complaints) and 1996 (28 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Geo Metro get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Geo Metro range from 28 to 40 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.0L 3-cyl, FWD) gets 37 city and 44 highway.

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