RoadVitals

1996 Geo Tracker

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Aug 25, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 1, 1996
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
10 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 71 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Geo Tracker, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine2222.9%
  • Airbags1111.5%
  • Brakes1010.4%
  • Interior & seats77.3%
  • Suspension66.3%
  • Transmission66.3%
  • Electrical55.2%
  • Seat belts55.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
96V121001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jul 1, 1996
18,121 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL TANK ON THESE VEHICLES CAN BECOME PUNCTURED BY A FUEL TANK FLANGE ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT DURING REAR-END COLLISIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL TANK INTEGRITY."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTING FROM THIS PUNCTURE COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW SHIELD GUSSETS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ATTACHMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT THE REINFORCEMENT FROM PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK WALL.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 71
Engine
Filed Aug 25, 2004

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089769
Incident
Aug 25, 2004
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 18, 2003

THE HARDWARE THAT HELD THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION FAILED, RESULTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK TO BE UNSTABLE AND CONTINUOUSLY FALL BACKWARDS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050700
Incident
Jun 1, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 24, 2003

THE FRONT SEAT MECHANISM BROKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT CAUSING IT TO FALL BACK. THIS IS NOT ONLY VERY DANGEROUS, BUT A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO COST TO ME AS IT A MECHANICAL DEFECT THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE VEHICLE TYPE WAS MADE.

NHTSA ID
10039506
Incident
Aug 10, 2003
EngineInterior & seats
Filed Mar 26, 2002

THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER DASH AND ALL EQUIPMENT PANELS QUIT WORKING-NO INTERIOR LIGHTS, BLINKERS, HAZARDS, RADIO,SPEEDOMETER. WHEN STOPPED CAR IDLES DOWN LIGHTS GO DIM AND STALLS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND YOU START TO GO THE FAN BELT SQEALS. NLM

NHTSA ID
759845
Incident
Jun 12, 1999
Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 2001

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AFTER 50,000 MILES, TOOK TO MECHANIC SAID COMPUTER SAID PROBLEMS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTOR, COULDNT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. RESET LIGHT, LEFT. SAME DAY SPEEDS OF OVER 55 MPH LIGHT CAME BACK ON. NOW HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. SHIFTS AT HIGH SPEEDS. MAKES HIGH WHINY NOISE (ALMOST LIKE A BELT IS LOOSE). PULLING BAD TO THE RIGHT (EVEN AFTER ALIGNMENT). BRAKES HAVE LOCKED TWICE. SEATBELTS LOCK AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN STOPPED. *AK

NHTSA ID
752544
Incident
Aug 20, 2001
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 10, 2001

AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN ON, AND HORN HAS FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE CLOCKSPRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
896073
Incident
Sep 6, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Jul 16, 2001

DOOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IS RUSTED TO POINT WHERE HINGES AND BOLTS ARE COMING RIGHT THROUGH DOOR.*AK

NHTSA ID
892936
Incident
Jul 12, 2001
Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2001

ON 9/24/99 WE HAD OUR TIMING BELT REPLACED AS A PART OF THE 60,000 MAINTENANCE ON OUR CAR. IN AUGUST OF 2000 WE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ACCOMPANIED BY A CLANKING IN THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN TO AN EVENT. WE CHECKED THE CAR IN WITH A DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT THE BOLT HOLDING THE TIMING BELT ASSEMBLY TO THE CRANK CASE HAD COME UNSCREWED AND TORN APART OUR CRANKCASE. 3 MECHANICS STATED THAT THIS WAS IRREPAIRABLE AND REQUIRED A NEW ENGINE FOR THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THIS SCREW COULD ONLY COME LOOSE DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING BELT - SPECIFICALLY THAT THE MECHANIC HAD FAILED TO TIGHTEN IT PROPERLY. WHEN I BROUGH THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY MECHABIC, HE PROMPTLY PRODUCED CHEVY'S PUBLISHED REPAIR GUIDE WHICH CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS BOLT IS NOT TO BE UNSCREWED DURING TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. THIS LEAVES ONLY 1 OTHER POSSIBILITY - THE BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE MANUFACTURING FACILITY. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION THEY WERE QUITE RUDE AND INFORMED THAT I WAS ON MY OWN SINCE I HAD NOT USED A DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. CALLS TO CHEVY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE WERE HANDLED IN THE SAME CONDESCENDING MANNER. EMAILS TO THE COPANY HAVE GONE UNANSWERED. THE COPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE THAT A DEFAULT IN THEIR MANUFACTURING PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK. I AM GETTING YOUR AGENCY INVOLVED FOR 2 REASONS (1) NOTIFY YOU OF THE NEGLIGENCE AND LACK OF CONCERN ON CHEVY'S PART, AND (2) SOLICIT YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RECOVERING THE $3,000 I HAD TO SPEND TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
740715
Incident
Aug 16, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Geo Tracker by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100—
2001210—
2000700—
1999223052.2
1998180038.7
1997250041.7
1996Viewing711049.4
1995640041.9
1994483162.4
1993241154.7
1992190043.9
1991181352.5
1990251352.5
1989101451.6
1988001—
1987001—
1986101—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.