Model year record

1997 GEO Metro

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 90 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V225001

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
32,903
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-21
Owners notified
1998-11-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline9
Air bags: frontal810 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine5
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip319,850 mi
Unknown or other3
Fuel system, gasoline2
Parking brake: conventional2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Power train: manual transmission2
Seats2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Tires2
Vehicle speed control2
Visibility: windshield2
Electrical system1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Power train1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Structure1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: trunk lid142,000 mi
Suspension1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal119,850 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels1
Wheels: hub142,000 mi

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.