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Why no Government Recall for Frame Horn Rust?
Topic Started: Feb 11 2012, 10:09 PM (1,886 Views)
Cardinal Grammeter
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I mean, how can they recall Windstar and Tundra and NOT Metro????

I mean anytime the front suspension separates from the frame due to rust - isn't that the true litmus test?

I've sent an email to NHTSA to see what they have to say about it....

Regards,
Tom
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Scoobs
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:D

Gl, but honestly i dont see them doing a damn about it. they were cheap cars then, and still nothings changed. :D lol but i love my cheap cars so much i keep buying more.... must be somthing in the metros drug related that keeps you hooked.
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Old Man


Now that NHTSA has been notified they will decided that Metros are too old to recall and just make it so you cant license them anymore//////>>>>>>
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JoeBob
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Why you Mutt!

I would think it unlikely that there would be a recall on an "orphan" car that has been at least 11 years out of distribution in this country. The majority of Geo Metros, I expect, are no longer in service, and those that are, are past their expected lifespan. I doubt GM/Chevrolet is really supporting the cars at this late date, so who would be responsible for such a recall?

As it is, even with frame horn rust issues, these cars still hold up better to rust than the old Chevy Vega, or for that matter ANY late '50s to early '70s GM car!
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Horn


Govt makes foreign cars have recalls
Govr recommends domestic cars have recalls iirc
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Cobrajet25
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If Metros would have had significant frame horn rust issues during, say, their first five years on the road, I am sure a recall would have been issued.

However, this was not the case. Old cars rust. Simple as that. Plus, it does not appear to be a design flaw. Metros only rust in certain parts of the country...most in the aptly-named "Rust Belt".
Edited by Cobrajet25, Feb 12 2012, 02:24 AM.
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Cardinal Grammeter
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I can understand most of the arguments put forth, however, I had the pleasure of having my Windstar recalled.

Obviously, a rear axle breaking in two, is a bad thing, but you should see what they did about the front K-member. There were rust issues at the aft body mounts and the front control arm mounts.

Mine was 11 years old when recalled and mind had some rust in at the body mounts. It is interesting that they made the arms out of the member from "crushed tubing." So the arm that was bolted to the body had an end feature of two pieces of metal pressed flat against one another. A completely exposed metal against metal edge which instantly wicks up water and rusts - the worst design possible.

However, when considering the heavy gauge metal they were starting with (about 1/8") I can't see how Metro would be more robust. In fact, I think the body mounts are a minor failure. The control arm is another matter.

I guess I don't understand why a car is recalled due to rust. I think it has to do with critical components like suspension pieces falling off or steering failures. But maybe it has to do with fatalities. Somehow, I would think Metro has less fatalities since the car was never driven that fast and that a few good potholes would reveal the issue and save even more lives(!)

Like there has been talk, maybe repair panels would be nice. Of course, you could probably find desert junk yards that would cut the entire frame horn region out and send it to you in a box (!) I did that with windshield corner rust out on a 69 Chevy PU. Worked nice! Except I never did the repair - calking is so much easier! (Of course, I sold the NV metal on eBay and got my money back - had sent the entire rockers back too.)

Regards,
Tom
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robertino
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Has there even been a recall for Metro's? for anything ?
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HelterSkelter
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#1 Pizza Driver

they don't have rust problems. if you don't drive on a road that is covered in corrosive substances it will not rust on it's own anymore than any other car.. the problem is road salt.
Edited by HelterSkelter, Feb 13 2012, 12:35 AM.
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JJ7587
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Its not just that if you don't drive them but if you live in a state that uses salt on the roads as a deicer or live on or near a ocean coast the salt in the air will cause the rust. My car has been in washington all of its life and does not have any rust on the frame horns or anywhere else on it, and I know of a few other people that own ether a metro or swift that dont have any problems ether it all depends on where you live.
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

robertino
Feb 13 2012, 12:18 AM
Has there even been a recall for Metro's? for anything ?
Yes, yes there were recalls now that you ask.

NHTSA Recall History
1990-91: Front seatbelt release button can break and pieces can fall inside, causing improper operation.

1990-93: Mislocated spot welds of hood striker assembly cause cracks to start on hood inner panel; then, striker assembly may not properly engage latch, allowing hood to fly up while car is in motion.

1995 hatchback w/o ABS: On some cars, rear brake drums were incorrectly machined, causing fatigue failure of wheel studs; wheel could then separate from vehicle.

1997 w/automatic: Shift lever might appear to be in "Park," but could easily be moved to another position without use of the key, transaxle lever-detent button, or depressing the brake pedal.

That is all :lol
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robertino
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bogs
Feb 13 2012, 12:52 AM




1997 w/automatic: Shift lever might appear to be in "Park," but could easily be moved to another position without use of the key, transaxle lever-detent button, or depressing the brake pedal.

I think Honda had that same issue at one point or was it Lexus I can't remember :hmm
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vr4


The seat belt recall was on about every japanese car from those years.
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bbowens
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is there a replacement part for that "press" button?
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djangomozart
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[ *  *  *  * ]
Should have been engineered w let's say, double the thickness in the critical areas. Total weight, say fifty-sixty lbs.
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