1996 Geo Tracker
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Geo › Tracker › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Geo Tracker. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1996 Geo Tracker. Newest first.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: if an ignition source was present, fuel leakage resulting from this puncture could result in a post-crash fire.
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.
Owner complaints
71 complaints15 involved a crash1 involved a fire10 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
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
- Seats
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
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
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…
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
- Air bags · Electrical system › Horn
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
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Door on passenger's side IS rusted to point where hinges and bolts are coming right through door.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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…
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Differential proportional valve
Brake proportion valvue leaks fluid, resulting in extended stopping distance. please provide further details.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve) · Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Consumer took car in for oil change, and mechanic said that only one nut: bolt was holding the fan shroud on, there were suppose to be 4 nut:bolts. *Ak front drive shaft fell off. a bolts in pcv valve were loose. *yh
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving about 45 mph vehicle crashed into a cow head-on first. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine started making a rattling noise. The consumer found out it was 2 slung rod in the engine from a mechanic. Consumer started rebuilding engine because the crankshaft on trackers aren't reusable. chevrolet really hasn't given any information why it happened.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle was invovled in a frontal collision with a tree at 30 mph. Upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. Provide further details. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was approaching an intersection at a stop sign and pedestrain ran in front of vehicle. driver in vehicle in front jammed on brakes so that he wouldn't hit the pedestrain. then, consumer applied her brakes and brakes locked up. Vehicle skidded into other vehicle, and airbags didn't deploy . Consumer was traveling about 10 mph. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine stalls with no warning at idle. Dealer can't help. Engine also making excessive tapping noise at start-up.*ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Power train › Manual transmission
Vehicle has experienced continued problems with the transmission not shifting properly, several repairs to transmission to try to remedy the shifting problems, however not able to be fixed properly. *mjs
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Driver's side door hinge has come off the frame of the car. Owner cannot drive vehicle. Door has not come completely off. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
While driving under slick road conditions at 20 mph consumer ran off road into a wooden fence and a tree. upon impact, air bags did not deploy/seat belts did not lock as they should to prevent injury. consumer suffered a head injury. Dealer has not been contacted. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine began to race cause difficulty to control.
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Vehicle was taken to the shop to get tires rotated. while consumer was driving on the road on her way home when she heard a grinding/clanking noise. as she approched a hill the noise got louder. She pulled over. The lugs: bolts had came off the wheels, and a lug: nut was missing. she notified the shop that service her vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Had parked vehicle. Returned to start it. Vehicle failed to start. Had popped fuse to fuel pump. Took to mechanic & was shown the rubber insulation prongs for fuse had burnt out. These were connected to the fuel pump. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The driver's seatback IS loose. the driver has to prop a box behind the seat for it to stay up. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Repair was refused under warranty. No defect listed. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Unknown or other
Son seriously injured in a head-on collision due to the air bags not deploying and seat belts not holding him back. *ak *ML
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Clutch assembly · Steering · Suspension
While driving vehicle shimmies and the engine light comes on. Also, steering becomes hard and then the engine shuts down. Dealer repaired vehicle and the clutch shaft shattered twice, consumer owned vehicle for 3 years and has taken it to dealership approximately 20 times. *Ak *jg
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10208027This 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.
- 10171318This 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.
- 10168979This 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.
- 10166638This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10165876This 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.
- 10157018This 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.
- 10154641This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. 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.
- 10138060This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10114947This 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.
- 10114924This 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.
- 10113443This 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.
- 10005527Some customers may want to tow their vehicle behind another vehicle with all four tires ont he ground. This bulletin provides information regarding recreational (dinghy) towing for certain vehicles including 1988-2004 chevrolet and GMC light duty trucks.
- 10004278Some customers may want to tow their vehicle behind another vehicle with all four tires ont he ground. This bulletin provides information regarding recreational (dinghy) towing for certain vehicles including 1988-2004 chevrolet and GMC light duty trucks.
- 622945Some customers may want to tow their vehicle behind another vehicle with all four tires ont he ground. This bulletin provides information regarding recreational (dinghy) towing for certain vehicles including the 1996 through 2000 toyota cavalier.
- 601117Some customers may comment on poor performance or lack of power after a period of sustained driving in light snow.
- 54197Subject regarding upper door hinge loosens from body.
Every Geo Tracker model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.