AI Damage1998 Chevrolet Metro: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Chevrolet Metro filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 67% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- Structure: 4 complaints (67% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1 L · petrol · 3 cyl
- 1.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On march 3rd 2018 I started my vehicle in stationary position parked and my airbags deployed when I receive no warning or lights on about it I was not hit by another vehicle nor was I driving. I was parked in a parking structure in los angeles. I received injury to my face and wrist.
1998 chevy metro frame rusts out and causes control arm to break away my chevy metro both sides rotted and the control arms broke away if this happen while I was driving I could have been hurt contacted chevy and they pretty much said sorry so unless I want to spend thousands to fix my car I have to buy a new one if…
The contact stated that the vehicle had an excessive amount of rust on the frame. The contact also stated that the tires have fallen apart including the tire wheel frame. The dealer stated that they did not care about this problem and would not offer any assistance.
Chevy metro 1998 .car was going 50mph on expressway when brakes were applied,vehicle did not stop but hopped off the freeway to the right. Thought car axle had broke but,later, after being towed to a mechanic was told car cannot be fixed because body separated from the frame! Similar to the person in ohio.
While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and then immediately restarted automatically. The contact noticed that the vehicle stalled intermittently when the brakes were applied or when switching gears.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Metro has 3 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Metro?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, air bags, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (33%), jerking, harsh shifts (17%), stalls while driving (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Chevrolet Metro?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Chevrolet Metro from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.