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Research · Subcompact Cars

1999 Chevrolet MetroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Metro. Most complaints involve engine (2) and fuel system, gasoline (1). The EPA rates it 28–37 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
28–37mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1999 Chevrolet Metro as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2011 – Feb 2015
  1. Engine2
  2. Fuel system, gasoline1
  3. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Metro model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19986
19993
20003
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

2 reports1 fire
“AS I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I-15 SOUTHBOUND, IN SAN DIEGO, CA, ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 AT 4.40 PM, I HEARD A PUTTERING / CLINKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I SENSED SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I COULD NOT INCREASE THE SPEED. I DECREASED THE SPEED, CAME ON THE LAST (4TH LANE), TOWARD THE SHOULDER, PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. I COULD SEE SOME SMOKE COMING POUT FROM BENEATH THE HOOD OF THE CAR. SO, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE CAR, OPENED THE HOOD. SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE AREA. OF COURSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) CAME ON THE DISPLAY TOO. I FINALLY GOT IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE IS DEAD. NOW I AM FINDING OUT THAT THE ENGINE IN 1999 CHEVY METRO'S DID HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2015EngineFire reportedODI 10683422

Fuel system, gasoline

1 report
“CORROSION OF FUEL INLET PIPE ON 1999 CHEVY METRO ISL 2 DOOR,MUST BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THEM IN JUNK YARDS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS FUEL LEAKS OUT OF FUEL TANK AND ALSO CAUSES THE COMPUTER TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2011Fuel system, gasolineODI 10416643
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.0L 3-cyl · 1.3L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 3-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Metro
Man 5-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
344237$1,700240
Metro
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
333935$1,800254
Metro
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263128$2,200317
  • Metro
    Man 5-spd, 3 cyl, 1.0 L
    34 city · 42 hwy · $1,700/yr
    37
    mpg comb.
  • Metro
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    33 city · 39 hwy · $1,800/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Metro
    Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L
    26 city · 31 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Chevrolet Metro as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Metro questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Metro have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet Metro problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), fuel system, gasoline (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Chevrolet Metro get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Chevrolet Metro at 28–37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026