NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Geo Tracker. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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
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.
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
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
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
DOOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IS RUSTED TO POINT WHERE HINGES AND BOLTS ARE COMING RIGHT THROUGH DOOR.*AK
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
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
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
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
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
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A COW HEAD-ON FIRST. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
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
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
CONSUMER GOT INSIDE OF THE CAR TO START IT UP AND CAR WOULDN'T START. SHE NOTIFIED A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT CLUTCH PEDAL HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH. *AK
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED DRIVER TO SMELL SMOKE THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.(OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT).
DRIVE DOOR CLOSED COMPLETELY CLOSED ON RIGHT INDEX FINGER AND THE FRAME OF THE DOOR WENT HALF WAY INTO MY FINGER IT REQUIRED 4 STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND AND FRACTURED IT AS WELL.
REPAIR WAS REFUSED UNDER WARRANTY. NO DEFECT LISTED. *AK
EGR VALVE FAILURE.
THE SEATBACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE COLLASPED WHEN THE DRIVER LEANED BACK TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE BACK AREA OF THE TRACKER. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE SEAT WILL BE REPARIED. *AK
ENGINE STALLS WITH NO WARNING AT IDLE. DEALER CAN'T HELP. ENGINE ALSO MAKING EXCESSIVE TAPPING NOISE AT START-UP.*AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GETS STIFF AND STARTS TO VIBRATE AND SHAKES, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. DEALER CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE PROBLEM CAN'T BE DUPLICATED. *AK
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
WHILE TRUCK WAS AT A STOP LIGHT IT WAS REAR ENDED, AND THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED COMPLETELY. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. DRIVER SUSTAINED LOWER BACK AND NECK INJURY. *AK
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT OPENED UPON IMPACT, ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE THROWN OUT OF PASSENGER WINDOW.
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STALLING,DEALER UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM.
WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE IT CUTS OFF. THE DRIVER RECEIVES NO INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TOO DUPLICATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM . *AK
REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL LUGS: NUTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE HUB TO FALL, ALMOST RESULTING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE OCT. 6TH 1997, CONSUMER'S EXPERIENCING SEAT BELT FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKLE. WHEN DRIVING, ANY BODY MOVEMENT WILL CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO UNBUCKLE. DEALERSHIP (GARBER CHEVEROLET - GEO), 1700 N. SAGINAW, MI. 517-839-9944 REPAIRED BUCKLE DECEMBER OF 97. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH STEERING LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER VEHICLE STRUCK A LARGE CLUMP OF POMPUS GRASS. BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE. ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS BURNED TWICE. HAD IT REPLACED BY THE DEALER TWICE. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON & THE LIGHT REPLACED. HIGH BEAMS DON'T WORK DUE TO WIRES AFFECTED BY AIR BAG MODULE. *AK
BRAKES FAILED.
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, BRAKES WERE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND GAVE NO RESISTANCE. ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF. BRAKES FAILED ON 2 OCCASIONS. MANF. CONTACTED
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO REASON, PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE MISSES AND HAS A LOSS OF POWER. FUEL MILEAGE HAS DROPPED, AND VEHICLES RMPS WILL DROP. THE LIGHTS DIM AT NIGHT WHEN THE IDLE DROPS. *SLC
EXHAUST FUMES ENTER VEHICLE THROUGH REAR GATE DOOR AREA, CAUSING SICKNESS. DOOR GASKET/PLUG REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUES.
SEAT BELT FAILED.
REPLACED LEAKING EGR VALVE. *AK
BRAKE DISC AND PADS FAILED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON FREEWAY ABOUT 55MPH, VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL OR DIE OUT FOR REASON; WOULD HAVE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD; WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY. TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES & CLAIMED THAT PROBLEM FIXED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM, CAUSING POOR STABILITY.
SON SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING AND SEAT BELTS NOT HOLDING HIM BACK. *AK *ML
AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T BLOW COLD AIR.
(RECALL 96V121001 ) IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND STILL NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHCILE.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HIT A HOLE IN THE ROAD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TURN OVER AND ROLLED SIX TIMES AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
A/C PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED.
AIR BAG LIGHT:THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY AND WILL NOT GO OFF., THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF, IT COMES RIGHT BACK ON. DEALER CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. *AK
RECALL #96V121 8-28-96. FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY: CONSUMER IS UPSET BECAUSE DEALER SOLD HER THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT DOING THE RECALL. SHE CONTACTED THEM AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF RECALL AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IN FOR REPAIR , BUT SHE IS SAYING THAT THEY SHOUL HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO HER BECAUSE THEY KNEW IT WAS ON RECALL. *AK
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Sep 11, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.