1996 Geo Prizm
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 35 of 61 complaints (57%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 96 in 1995 to 61 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | vs. 1996 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–2,500 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,250–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–27 | 25–29 | 24–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–25 / 27–31 | 23–26 / 27–32 | 22–26 / 27–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 329–355 | 306–355 | 317–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 96 | 61 | 50 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 26 | 22 | 13 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 22 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Geo Prizm have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Geo Prizm?
Airbags & Restraints: 35 of 61 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Geo Prizm get?
EPA rates it 25–29 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Geo Prizm?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 3-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 306 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 31 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 35 | 19 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SUSPENSION · Campaign 10E002000 · Feb 11, 2010
Defect: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.