Most common 1998 Geo Metro problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Geo Metro complaints by model year
Best Metro years: 2001, 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
What 1998 Geo Metro owners say
Engine & cooling
This problem exists every time the car is driven. After driving the car with various drive times, stopping and allowing the car to sit for approx 25-30 mins then trying to drive the car again it stalls out and dies in 2-7 of driving. In most case the car has died in the middle of intersections and on the freeway. It usually take 1-2 minutes to restart it before it will run. The car has been to the dealership numerous times since September '03 and on the last trip to the dealer, they now acknowledge that there is a problem and have not been able to find what is causing it. My car has now been there for two weeks, and they still have it. They replaced the map sensor, but it has not fixed the problem. I am afraid of causing an accident if my car were to stall and die in traffic.
After driving the vehicle for about 200 miles on the highway the engine starts to lose power. Also when going up an incline the vehicle loses power at about 20mph, making it possible to be rear ended by another vehicle. Dealer has seen vehicle over 11 times.
Brakes
Parking brake is defective. Consumer hears a clicking noise when he engages parking brake, and feels that brakes May not hold vehicle while parked on a slope. *note: consumer owned a 1994, Geo, Metro that rolled backwards while parked on a slope. Consumer stated that both brake mechanisms were identical. Please provide additional information/attachments.
Consumer concerned because there is one more inch of brake pedal travel after the brake booster was replaced, there is also a spongy effect when pushing down on the broke, consumer believes this happens because the booster was put on without adjusting the clevis rod or brake pedal. Nlm
Transmission & drivetrain
Transmission would require excessive effort to shift from first to second gear and putting it in neutral was worse when hot. Owner was told that there was a loose connection from the computer to the transmission.
The vehicle made a grinding and chattering noise upon acceleration. The consumer took the vehicle to Chevrolet and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Geo Metro a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Metro rates average: 21% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Metro at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Geo Metro?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the brakes (6) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 1998 Geo Metro have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Geo Metro. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Geo Metro?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full Geo Metro years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Geo Metro problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.