Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Geo Prizm owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had a car accident in which my car rolled,and upon impact my seat belts,both driver and passenger popped,also my airbags did not deply.I slid on ice,when try to corect my car spun and hit the side of the road and an embankment and two trees and a rock and my car flipped.I had damage from the front light assembly to the tail light on driver side and also roof and trunk damage the two doors on driver side were pushed in and the airbags did not deply and when the car finally stopped on its roof my seatbelts popped and me and my son dropped to the roof which was on the ground.
Vehicle was stopped at a stop sign, hit a vehicle in front of her when pulling out from the stop sign, frontal impact occurred, approximately 5 MPH. Both air bags did not deploy, dealer contacted and stated they were not aware of any recalls on this vehicle, could not repair.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 20 MPH. Upon impact, airbags deployed injuring driver. Airbag hit left side of the driver's face, breaking her eye glasses, resulting in loss of sight. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
Was going about 30 MPH in stop & go traffic. Had rearended another vehicle when applying brakes and was unable to stop. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Driver/passenger suffered whiplash. Took to dealer to check vehicle.
Consumer was involved in a collosion, driving abouth 25 MPH , when she hit the rear side of another vehicle with the front end of her vehicle, and the airbags did not deploy. Owner will contact the dealer.
When vehicle was involved in a crash, broadsided on the passenger side. The deployment from the air bags caused driver to suffer burns on right side of face/damage to jaw joint and loss of hearing.
Dt: the contact owns a 1995 Geo prism. The air bag deployed without an accident. The speed was about 5 MPH. Because she was slowing down for a red light the front driver and front passenger air bags deployed. There where some previous road construction on the road she was traveling on. But the night of this incident the road was fairly leveled. The contact did not lose control of the vehicle because she was already stopping. The air bag warning light was not that she is aware of. One passenger sustained injuries,such as severe bruising, head injuries, busted nose and black eyes. She was transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The insurance agency told her that there was NHTSA recall 96V070000 concerning the air bag sensor. She contacted GM manufacturer and she was told this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. This occurred on August 30, 2005.
While driving SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The vehicle was taken to a garage, and mechanic determined that the sensor needed to be replaced. The technician at the garage indicated the problem she was experiencing was the subject of a recall. The consumer called the dealer with the recall information but they informed her that the vehicle's VIN was not included.
A beverage was spilled into console while driving, and an hour later airbag light was on. Consumer contacted dealer about recall 96 v 107 000, and they were not aware of any recall on that vehicle. Driver stated that recall explained exact problem, but this vehicle not effected due to VIN. Please provide any further information.
While driving no more than 5 MPH and the driver's side air bag deployed without hitting or striking another vehicle. Consumer had contacted dealer, and they repaired the vehicle in 8 days. Recently the ABS light flashes on, dealer providing no help.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
If liquid is spilled in the console box area, the air bag warning light can illuminate and stay "on" during normal driving conditions.
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other Prizm years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Geo Prizm?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Geo Prizm, 32% of the model year's 96 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Geo Prizm airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-107 (sensor/control module-inactive, Jun 20, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 22 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.