Model year guide

1996 Geo Prizm

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Geo Prizm is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

1996 Geo Prizm — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Geo Prizm at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints64
Combined25–29 mpg

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

1996 Geo Prizm recalls 1

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.

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.

1996 Geo Prizm common problems

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
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.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1996 Geo Prizm MPG & running costs

Combined25–29 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,525

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 1996 Geo Prizm costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,625
Fuel only$12,625
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.

1996 Geo Prizm trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl

1996 Geo Prizm vehicles on record

1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5260TZ058977 1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5265TZ031581 1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5264TZ039087 1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5262TZ024569 1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5267TZ037124 1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5266TZ053105 1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5269TZ007705 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5261TZ054680 1996 Geo Prizm 1996 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5268TZ046365

Other Geo Prizm model years

1997 1995 1994 1993

1996 Geo Prizm — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Geo Prizm have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1996 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 1996 Geo Prizm?

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, air bags, tires.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Geo Prizm get?

The 1996 Geo Prizm has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–29 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.