1990 Geo Metro Review
Price Estimate: $2,082 - $3,261

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Passive front seatbelts are added, and automatics get a new brake/transmission shift interlock. Fuel sipper strippo model is now called XFi and gets 53 mpg in the city. XFi engine makes only 49 horsepower. Four-door hatch is now available in base trim.
For sale near Lafayette, IN
Reliability
The 1990 Geo Metro has 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
2 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 95V103007
- Manufactured from:
- 1986-01-01 to 1991-12-01
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 466902
- Defect Description:
- THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
- Defect Consequence:
- THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
- Recall Number:
- 93V189001
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 356097
- Defect Description:
- MISLOCATED ATTACHING SPOT WELDS OF THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY CAUSE CRACKS TO START ON THE HOOD INNER PANEL. IF CRACKS OCCUR, THE HOOD STRIKER ASSEMBLY MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE HOOD LATCH WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
- Defect Consequence:
- AN IMPROPERLY ENGAGED HOOD LATCH MAY RESULT IN A HOODFLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS WOULD OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEWAND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Corrective Action:
- GM DEALERS WILL (A) INSTALL TWO BOLTS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE STRIKER ASSEMBLY TO THE HOOD INNER PANEL, AND (B) ENSURE THAT THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY FASTENERS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Geo Metro Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
best kept secret on the planet
4.63 out of 5 starsZAKEN1, 03/18/2009
1990 Geo Metro 2dr Hatchback
I bought my 1990 Geo Metro from the original owner in 1992, with 58,000 miles on it. It was used daily for a 100 + mile freeway run; the easiest possible type of driving. The owner had been using Castrol Syntec 5W-50 synthetic oil, and had added an Amsoil bypass oil filter. I continued using the same oil and changing oil and filters regularly. The car is now 19 years old, and has run … nearly 300,000 miles. I've replaced two timing belts, a water pump, an alternator, an oil seal, two sets of front brakes, tires, batteries, and tune up parts. The engine never had any internal repairs, has the original clutch, and runs better today than it did when I bought it (I am a professional mechanic).
First new car I bought
4.38 out of 5 starsjust_john, 02/21/2013
1990 Geo Metro 2dr Hatchback
I bought the 1990 Metro new for $6499.
My wife used to drive between Randolph AFB and Lackland AFB everyday for work.
Almost always she would encounter "rush hour traffic" that moved at 45-50 MPH.
On her 90 mile commute at this low speed she routinely achieved 62-63 MPG week after week.
After about 18 months she decided that she needed a more comfortable car. It had 65,000 trouble-free … miles on it when we sold it.
No cruise control,
no A/C, no frills of any kind.
BTW,
on a trip to South Dakota and back we averaged 65 MPH and got 46 MPG HWY.
Lasts Long
2.88 out of 5 starsBill, 02/14/2007
1990 Geo Metro 2dr Hatchback
It has been 16 years since I had bought my Metro when it was new and it had nearly 600,000 miles. I have gone through 4 clutches, 2 front subframes, and 1 floorboard, which I replaced because it caved in last month on I-10. I had it dynoed 3 months ago and it made 21 hp, pretty good for such a high mileage car. Unfortunately, last week I parked it too close to the dump trucks at the … quarry and I ran over it. That was when I discovered it was saturated with rust. Overall, it was a great car.
A perfect 10
5 out of 5 starsGhetto Cruzah, 04/15/2002
1990 Geo Metro XFi 2dr Hatchback
It boasts a smooth ride, comfortable
upholstry, and the wonderful pickup
that customers have come to expect of a
Geo.
1990 Metro Highlights
Convertible
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 41 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $95/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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