Model year guide

1997 Geo Metro

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Geo Metro is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1997 Geo Metro — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Geo Metro at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints72
Combined28–40 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Geo Metro recalls 1

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch NHTSA Campaign #98V225001 · 21/09/1998

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1997 Geo Metro common problems

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

1997 Geo Metro MPG & running costs

Combined28–40 mpg
City32 mpg
Highway38 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,000
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,000 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Geo Metro costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,000
Fuel only$10,000
Per mile$0.13

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Geo Metro trims & engines on record

Trims
LSi
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl

1997 Geo Metro vehicles on record

1997 Geo Metro 1997 Geo Metro LSi2C1MR5291V6750017

1997 Geo Metro — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Geo Metro have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1997 Geo Metro. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Geo Metro?

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine and engine cooling, power train.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Geo Metro get?

The 1997 Geo Metro has U.S. EPA estimates of 28–40 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.