Dt*: the contact stated the driver's side seat belt will not retract. This occurs every time the seat belt is used. The vehicle was not involved in any accidents that would have caused this failure. The manufacturer and dealer were contacted; the seat belt could no longer be replaced due to the availability of the parts. There are no after market parts available. When the consumer did find a part, no one was willing to install the lap belt for fear of liability. Updated 05/30/06.
The worst 1990 Geo Prizm problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Seat belts7
- Body6
- Engine6
- Transmission6
- Suspension4
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Seat belts7
- Body6
- Engine6
- Transmission6
- Suspension4
- Brakes3
- Electrical3
- Lights3
- Locks2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
1990 Geo Prizm fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-24 | 26-31 | 23-27 |
What 1990 Geo Prizm owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
General tires upc 20111g165-80r18, size 165-80-13. Consumer purchased tires on 02/29/96. While driving and without warning, tires fell apart. Wires/ rubber came out. Damage done to front of the vehicle. Manufacturer contacted, and could not remedy the problem. Consumer replaced tires at own expense. Ak
None
Seat belts come apart.
Door handles malfunctioned. Gear shift will not move. Rear struts we worn in less than 1 year after purchase. Dealer refused to stand by warranty.
Cv joints were defective when vehicle started to make noise.
While driving vehicle lurched into a stop. The wheels locked up. Mechanic informed owner that the transmission locked up. Manufacturer has been notified.
Frame misaligned causing damage to tires.
All of the interior door handle in vehicle have broken.
Compare the 1990 Geo Prizm
Other model years
Questions about the 1990 Geo Prizm
Is the 1990 Geo Prizm reliable?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 1990 Geo Prizm, 6.2 times a typical Prizm model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1990 Geo Prizm?
Seat belts, with 7 complaints. Next is body (6).
How many recalls does the 1990 Geo Prizm have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Geo Prizm have the most seat belts problems?
The Geo Prizm model years with the most seat belts complaints are 1994 (22 complaints), 1995 (20 complaints) and 1997 (17 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Geo Prizm get?
Official estimates for the 1990 Geo Prizm range from 23 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-24 city and 26-31 highway.
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