1999 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 1999 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
- Engine618.8%
- Suspension515.6%
- Electrical412.5%
- Transmission412.5%
- Brakes412.5%
- Visibility26.3%
- Airbags26.3%
- Interior & seats13.1%
- Steering13.1%
- Heating & air conditioning13.1%
- Body & structure13.1%
- Driver assistance13.1%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND STALLS. *JB
I HAVE ONLY OWNED MY 1999 TRACKER FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS AND HAVE HAD MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAD THE TIMING CHAINS AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED IN FEB DUE TO AN UNEXPLAINED OIL LEAK. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED BY THE PLACE THAT DID THE OTHER ENGINE REPAIRS THAT IT NOW NEEDS A NEW OIL PUMP AND CONNECTING RODS TO THE TUNE OF 1000 DOLLARS. I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY SATISFACTION FROM CHEVY OR MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE AUTO. THE CAR HAS DIED AND IT WAS SHAKING AND STALLING OUT AT STOP LIGHTS AS WELL AS WHEN I WOULD BE PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE FOR ANYTHING. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE OR RELIABLE AND I AM PISSED OFF AT CHEVY AND ROCKENBACH THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THIS PIECE OF CRAP. *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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GEO TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS ROTTED OUT AND CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE. THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT CROSS MEMBERS DESIGNED AND MADE BY SUZUKI, WHICH RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION. NHTSA ACTION # EA06018 WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,300.
BUMPER BOLTS FAILED(3), IN ADDITION, 1 GRILLE BOLT, AND 1 MANIFOLD BOLT HAS COMPLETLY FALLEN OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME "MY LICENSE PLATE WAS LOOSE". THIS TRACKER IS LOSING BOLTS AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION DEVELOPED A SEVERE "RATTLE"AT ANY AND ALL SPEEDS. THE STRUT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT A RATTLE IS STILL NOTICABLE OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON A LONG-DURATION TRIP.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CHEVROLET/GEO TRACKER HAD A ARECAL ISSUED ON IT. HOWEVER THE DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR IT PRIOR TO SALING IT THOUGH THE TITLE EXPLICITLY STATED THEY MUST. WHAT SHOULD I DO?. *AK
CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, AND ALSO THERE WAS RESISTANCE WHEN PUTTING IT INTO SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IT BEGAN WITH A HESITATION AND THEN FAILED TO START. ALSO DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION-COULD NOT GET CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND THIRD GEAR GRIND ON THE UP & DOWN SHIFT.REPLACED BOTH GEARS. TWO MONTHS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN SO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED.THREE MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM WITH FIRST, FOURTH AND REVERSE.DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPLETE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. AC-THE AC IS NOT A BIG ENOUGH UNIT FOR THE VEHICLE. HAVE TO LEAVE IT ON HIGH AT ALL TIMES TO COOL THE BACK SEAT. SUSPENSION- THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. VERY HARD TO HANDLE IN THE WIND, RAIN OR EVEN ANY SPEED OVER 55 MPH. BUMPER- ALL THE FASTENERS HOLDING THE BACK MOLDING ON FELL OUT. *AK
VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT PROPERLY INTO 4- WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS OWN. ALSO, MAKE NOISES. VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN BY HUSBAND & IT POPPED OUT OF 4WD INTO 2WD. TOOK TO GARY POWERS DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC HAD HARD TIME GETTING VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ALSO FOUND NO RECALLS ON 4 WHEEL DRIVE. *AK
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
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON WET PAVEMENT ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT.CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS,AND THE DEALER DIDN'T REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY BRAKE LIGHTS. *AK
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
MY CHEVROLET/GEO TRACKER HAD A ARECAL ISSUED ON IT. HOWEVER THE DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR IT PRIOR TO SALING IT THOUGH THE TITLE EXPLICITLY STATED THEY MUST. WHAT SHOULD I DO?. *AK
CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, AND ALSO THERE WAS RESISTANCE WHEN PUTTING IT INTO SECOND GEAR. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IT BEGAN WITH A HESITATION AND THEN FAILED TO START. ALSO DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 TO 45 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A DEER IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE CRASH. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSE. 1 SCREW FELL OUT AND THE OTHER 3 WERE LOOSE. NO STABILITY WHEN DRIVING. *AK *ML
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 5 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING AND WENT TO THE LEFT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION-COULD NOT GET CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND THIRD GEAR GRIND ON THE UP & DOWN SHIFT.REPLACED BOTH GEARS. TWO MONTHS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN SO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED.THREE MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM WITH FIRST, FOURTH AND REVERSE.DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPLETE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. AC-THE AC IS NOT A BIG ENOUGH UNIT FOR THE VEHICLE. HAVE TO LEAVE IT ON HIGH AT ALL TIMES TO COOL THE BACK SEAT. SUSPENSION- THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. VERY HARD TO HANDLE IN THE WIND, RAIN OR EVEN ANY SPEED OVER 55 MPH. BUMPER- ALL THE FASTENERS HOLDING THE BACK MOLDING ON FELL OUT. *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
BUMPER BOLTS FAILED(3), IN ADDITION, 1 GRILLE BOLT, AND 1 MANIFOLD BOLT HAS COMPLETLY FALLEN OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME "MY LICENSE PLATE WAS LOOSE". THIS TRACKER IS LOSING BOLTS AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION DEVELOPED A SEVERE "RATTLE"AT ANY AND ALL SPEEDS. THE STRUT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT A RATTLE IS STILL NOTICABLE OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON A LONG-DURATION TRIP.*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
ENGINE STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS, LACK OF POWER IN COLD TEMP. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT BLINKS ON REPEATEDLY. BOTH DEALERSHIP AND CHEVROLET SAY THEY NEED TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER BUT AT THIS DATE THEY DON'T HAVE ONE WRITTEN TO FIX IT, I'VE OWNED THIS CAR FOR LESS THEN 20 DAYS AND ITS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR TWICE, IS THIS CONSIDERD SAFE WHEN A CAR STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ALSO IT HAS A VERY ROUGH IDLE. *AK
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 .