Model year guide

1995 Geo Prizm

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1995 Geo Prizm is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1995 Geo Prizm at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints113
Combined25–27 mpg

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

1995 Geo Prizm recalls 3

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #10E002000 · 11/02/2010

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.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #96V107000 · 20/06/1996

IF LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE BOX AREA, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND STAY "ON" DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO PREVENT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BY THE SPILLING OF LIQUID SUBSTANCES ON THE SENSOR. AIR BAG SENSORS DAMAGED BY PREVIOUS LIQUID SPILLAGE WILL BE REPLACED.

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery NHTSA Campaign #95V195002 · 11/10/1995

THE BATTERY CAN HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD INSIDE THE POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE TERMINAL ALLOWING THE CONNECTION INSIDE OF THE TERMINAL TO SEPARATE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BATTERIES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. 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.

1995 Geo Prizm common problems

Owners have filed 113 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.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1995 Geo Prizm MPG & running costs

Combined25–27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,575
EPA size classCompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 1995 Geo Prizm costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,875
Fuel only$12,875
Per mile$0.17

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.

1995 Geo Prizm trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl

1995 Geo Prizm vehicles on record

1995 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5266SZ002895

Other Geo Prizm model years

1997 1996 1994 1993

1995 Geo Prizm — frequently asked questions

Does the 1995 Geo Prizm have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1995 Geo Prizm. 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 1995 Geo Prizm?

Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, steering, tires.

What gas mileage does the 1995 Geo Prizm get?

The 1995 Geo Prizm has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

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