Model year guide

1997 Geo Prizm

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Geo Prizm is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1997 Geo Prizm at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints53
Combined24–28 mpg

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

1997 Geo Prizm recalls 2

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 NHTSA Campaign #97V043002 · 20/03/1997

IF THE AIR BAG COMPUTER IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A MECHANICAL SHOCK (I.E., RAPIDLY MOVING THE FRONT SEAT BACK AGAINST THE STOPS OR A SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE PARKING BRAKE) WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED, THE AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR BAG COMPUTER.

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.

1997 Geo Prizm common problems

Owners have filed 53 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.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1997 Geo Prizm MPG & running costs

Combined24–28 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,550
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$750 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 1997 Geo Prizm costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,750
Fuel only$12,750
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.

1997 Geo Prizm trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl

1997 Geo Prizm vehicles on record

1997 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5262VZ434565 1997 Geo Prizm 1997 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5260VZ416498 1997 Geo Prizm 1997 Geo Prizm Base1Y1SK5268VZ414546

Other Geo Prizm model years

1996 1995 1994 1993

1997 Geo Prizm — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Geo Prizm have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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 1997 Geo Prizm?

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, air bags, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Geo Prizm get?

The 1997 Geo Prizm has U.S. EPA estimates of 24–28 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.