Owners have filed 103 complaints
about the 1996 GEO Tracker with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the GEO Tracker. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
32% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Gasoline
1736.2%
Frontal
919.1%
AIR Conditioner
510.6%
Recliner
48.5%
Clutch Assembly
36.4%
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
36.4%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
36.4%
Front
36.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1995peak 14Aug 2004
Recalls on the 1996 GEO Tracker
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96V121001
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTING FROM THIS PUNCTURE COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FIRE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Coalinga, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A COW HEAD-ON FIRST. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #867742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwich, NYCrash
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.
NHTSA complaint #863720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CACrash
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.
NHTSA complaint #860522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clayton, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #855996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clayton, INCrash1 injured
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.
NHTSA complaint #855996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kirkville, MOCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SON SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING AND SEAT BELTS NOT HOLDING HIM BACK. *AK
NHTSA complaint #842632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ivoryton, CT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10089769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10050700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10039506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huber Heights, OH
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
NHTSA complaint #759845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huber Heights, OH
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.
NHTSA complaint #759845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huber Heights, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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 complaint #759845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huber Heights, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
NHTSA complaint #759845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylor, MI
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #752544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylor, MI
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #752544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hacienda Heights, CA
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #896073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hacienda Heights, CA
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.
NHTSA complaint #896073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellville, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DOOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IS RUSTED TO POINT WHERE HINGES AND BOLTS ARE COMING RIGHT THROUGH DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #892936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frisco, TX
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 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.
NHTSA complaint #740715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gradner, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
BRAKE PROPORTION VALVUE LEAKS FLUID, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #873780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
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.
NHTSA complaint #872488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, NE
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.
NHTSA complaint #872488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, NE
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
NHTSA complaint #872488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coalinga, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A COW HEAD-ON FIRST. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #867742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Smith, AR
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.
NHTSA complaint #865792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwich, NYCrash
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.
NHTSA complaint #863720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CACrash
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.
NHTSA complaint #860522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcbee, SC
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.
NHTSA complaint #721119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue JAY, CA
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
NHTSA complaint #550679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue JAY, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER ASSEMBLY LOCKS UP DUE TO FAILURE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beacon, NY
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.
NHTSA complaint #856348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.