1998 Geo Tracker Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Geo Tracker, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical313.0%
- Engine313.0%
- Brakes313.0%
- Body & structure28.7%
- Driver assistance28.7%
- Powertrain (other)28.7%
- Suspension28.7%
- Visibility28.7%
- Steering14.3%
- Fuel system14.3%
- Other / unspecified14.3%
- Tires & wheels14.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STARTED ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *NM
WE HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN ALMOST EVERY WEEK TO FIX SOMETHING IN THE LAST MONTH. WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE PRODUCT IF THIS CONTINUES. WE ARE REQUESTING SOME KIND OF ACTION ON THIS "LEMON" OF A VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) INDICATED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 9/30/02 WHEN THE PC MODULE WAS REPLACED IN MY 1998 GEO CHEVY TRACKER. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO ROGER WHITLEY CHEVROLET JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER WEEK FROM OCTOBER TO JANUARY 3, 2003. THEY HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BUT CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY IT WILL NOT AFFECT ANYTHING. IF THIS IS TRUE THEN WHY DO WE NEED THIS SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM MIGHT POSSIBLY BE THE PC MODULE THEY INSTALLED IS DEFECTIVE. THE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR SAID THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE BUT YET HE HAS CHECKED THE WIRING AND NUMEROUS OTHER POSSIBILITIES, BUT THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. *JB
I HAVE HAD MY TRACKER IN THE SHOP 13 TIMES TOTAL FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING, BRAKES, OIL USAGE,SEAT CABLES, CONV. TOP LEAKING, GAS USAGE, ETC. THIS VEHCILE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SEINCE DAY ONE. 8AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MY TRACKER IN THE SHOP 13 TIMES TOTAL FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING, BRAKES, OIL USAGE,SEAT CABLES, CONV. TOP LEAKING, GAS USAGE, ETC. THIS VEHCILE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SEINCE DAY ONE. 8AK
AFTER COMING TO A STOP THROTTLE REMAINED OPEN. ENGINE WAS REVVING. BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. SHIFTED INTO PARK & TURNED VEHICLE OFF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD MY TRACKER IN THE SHOP 13 TIMES TOTAL FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING, BRAKES, OIL USAGE,SEAT CABLES, CONV. TOP LEAKING, GAS USAGE, ETC. THIS VEHCILE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SEINCE DAY ONE. 8AK
THE TRUCK HAS ALMOST ROLLED OVER AT LEAST 10 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. A STRONG WIND CAME AND BLEW THE VEHICLE INTO NEXT LANE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER COMING TO A STOP THROTTLE REMAINED OPEN. ENGINE WAS REVVING. BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. SHIFTED INTO PARK & TURNED VEHICLE OFF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CAUSING THEM TO BE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY. QCAW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN ALMOST EVERY WEEK TO FIX SOMETHING IN THE LAST MONTH. WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE PRODUCT IF THIS CONTINUES. WE ARE REQUESTING SOME KIND OF ACTION ON THIS "LEMON" OF A VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) INDICATED. *AK
4X4 WHEEL DRIVE HUB LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIP OUT OF 4X4 WHEEL DRIVE. WHEELS LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A TREE WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN IT'S WINDY AND VEHICLE GOES OVER 25MPH IT SWERVES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
VEHICLE LOSS OF CONTROL, DRIVER FEELS VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ROLL OVER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED.
IN COLD WEATHER DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFROST FROM THE INSIDE, EVEN WITH HEAT AND DEFROSTER ON, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TUNNEL VISION , COMPLETELY BLIND FROM SIDE VIEW, THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATLEY 35 MPH ON NORMAL WINDING ROAD,WAS GOING AROUND BEND WHEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES, RESULTING IN 1 FATALITY AND 4 INJURIES.*AK.ET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS REPEATEDLY COME ON. TWICE BECAUSE OF GAS TANK CAP FAILURE, AND THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF A PCM/VCM MODULE FAILURE. THE MODULE HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
OWNERS' MANUAL INCORRECTLY INSTRUCTS AS TO HOW TO LIFT CAR ON JACK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .