• Mechanic's wrenches"Wrench Red" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Kyle May (Kyle May) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  

Fuel Economy

• One of the most frequently cited problems with the Geo Metro is a failure to achieve its advertised or expected fuel economy. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including general wear and tear on the engine and fuel delivery system or driving habits that cause more fuel to be used than is necessary. While the three-cylinder version of the Geo Metro was rated for 49 miles per gallon in highway driving and 46 miles per gallon in city driving, many Metro drivers have experienced numbers significantly below these.
  
  

Engine

• Many Metros have had engine problems, ranging from minor to severe. In general, these are due to the age of many Metros on the road and the fact that, as an economy car, initial quality was below average. Some Metro engines have been known to burn oil, which can be dealt with by simply adding oil occasionally if the amount lost is not too great. In other cases, blown head gaskets or other catastrophic failures result in the need for an entirely new engine. The Metro engine is also known for being difficult to start in cold weather.
  
  

Exhaust

• Many Metro owners have also had to service their vehicles' exhaust systems. Beyond rusted exhaust components needing replacement, Metro owners often replace catalytic converters (a particularly expensive procedure). In cases where the catalytic converter needs replacement, Metro owners often experience low fuel economy and an increase in emissions (perhaps resulting in a failed emissions test). Exhaust valves in the Metro's engine are also prone to failure.
  
  

Transmission

• The Metro was available with either a manual or automatic transmission. Both versions have been known to experience several different problems. 1991 and 1992 models with the automatic transmission were especially prone to fluid entering the motor and transmission mounts, resulting in a vibration while driving in reverse. For Metros equipped with a manual transmission, gear slippage and general wear to the clutch are somewhat common as well.
  
  

Brakes

• Finally, the Geo Metro is known for problems involving the braking system. Metros feature front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, both of which have caused problems for some owners. Between 1990 and 1994, uneven lug nut torque was often responsible for warped rotors on the front brakes, resulting in pedal vibrations during braking. Other owners have reported a stuck parking brake, leaking brake lines and brakes with inadequate stopping power.