- The problem
- The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." If a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- The risk
- The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button is pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer is developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Geo Tracker Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1990 Geo Tracker with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (13) and the brakes (5). Those complaints describe 3 crashes, 1 injury and 1 death. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1989 has 10 and the 1991 has 19.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Tracker year, for its age
#73 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 1990 Geo Tracker problems
Share of all 25 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 Geo Tracker recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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25 complaints about the 1990 Geo Tracker
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Wife involved in a rear end collision. Her vehicle was stopped. Upon inpact the drivers seat back fell all the way back, she suffered a concussion and whip lash injury and was transported to chelsea community hospital. The seat being in the downward position was pointed out to the state police and ems person by my wife. The vehicle was towed to my home, seat photographed in downward position. When seat is raised it will not stay in proper uprite position, it goes back at approx 45 degree angle and twisted back on rt side. Contacted general motors, they say that the seat condition did not cause the accident so therefore they are not responsible.*Ak
Pe00 020 ;was traveling about 61mph on highway and heard a noise vehicle started to vibrate and she lost control. Vehicle rolled over four times and when down into an enbankment. Flipped upside down. There were two tires that exploded; driver's front tire and the passenger rear tire. Tire were firestone, and vehicle was totaled. *Ak
Buckles on the seat belts jam passagers can't remove belts
Both saftey belts in the front "lock-up" and you are stuck in the vehicle. You get out only when the the seat belt finally pops out of it's housing. The more you struggle, the tighter it gets. These seat belts were once recalled, I took the certificate to deery brothers in burligton iowa. They said they knew all about the problem, and so I scheduled the appointment and took it in. They had my vehicle three days, and when I picked it up, they had done nothing to it. Still all original seatbelts, housings, etc. When...
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I questioned them at this time, they told me nothing was wrong with the seat belts. I asked for the certificate back so I could go elsewhere, and they said "no,they have to get paid". In case of fire or flooding, how am I going to get out of this vehicle? Thus far I have been cited twice for failure to wear satey belts. I guess it's a small price to pay for mine and my passengers lives.
Sometimes when trying to stop at either high speeds or low, brakes will not function properly. Pedal can be pressed all the way down, vehicle will slowly stop. This has almost caused several accidents. Occurs most often when trying to stop quickly. Also when vehicle is cold, brake pedal can be pressed all the down and vehicle will do the same thing. *Ak
Neither the chevrolet dealer nor chevrolet headquarters will fix the defective seat belts. Claim it is not part of a recall, although the seat belt latch failed exactly as described in recall campaign id # 95v103007. Also, the driver's side seat assembly has a broken weld, leaving the seat anchored in only 3 of the 4 corners. Chevrolet headquarters claims that since geo is no longer sold by chevrolet, they have no records of older geo vin numbers and can not tell me if this vehicle will be repaired at their...
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expense. They claim it would be up to the individual dealer's discretion. Taylor-parker has already told me they would not repair the seat belt at their expense, despite my telling them that the nhtsa issued a recall. What good are recalls?? *Ak
Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall number 95v103007. Dealer only replaced the driver's side seat belt buckle. Passenger's side seat belt buckle also broke, but dealer refused to replace it. Passenger's side seat belt was supposedly repaired later, but it broke not long after. *Ak *ml
Before vehicle is warmed the brakes are extremely hard to apply, excessive pressure is needed when applying the brake pedal, cause unknown. Please give any further details. *Ak
While driving, the vehicle lost control. Loss of control was due to corrosion of the steering gear, as well as the structure rusting away from frame. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that nothing could be done because the vehicle was not under a recall. *Ak
When brakes are applied during cold temperatures they will resist and suddenly engage. The dealer has been notified. *Ak
Driver's side rear frame corroded and broke at the connection of the control arm while driving. *Ak
An inner piece located near the top of driver's door became loose, eventually the door could fall off.*Ak
Bolt that secures front passengers seats loosened, uncertain of cause. *Ak
Consumer was driving and front hood came open. Please describe . *Ak
Driver's side seat belt buckle failure, unable to latch seatbelt buckle
1.6 Engine. Motor revealed three inch crack. No indication driver only noticed small odor. Tt
#95V103007 the passenger and driver side seat belt buckle failed. Tt
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE. *AK
Front passenger seatbelt does not latch and the drivers seatbelt does latch but does not release easily. Please explain. Tt
Hit a full rimmed tire, vehicle flipped over, seat belt broke, driver was thrown out of window and died. Tt
When starting vehicle the power braking system is intermittently inoperative for a few moments. Tt
The passenger front seatbelt locks all the time. Tt
In cold weather pedal goes to the floor. Resulting in extended stopping distance. Please describe other problems. Tt
Drivers side seatbelt fails to latch or unlatch properly. Please describe details. Tt
Plastic windows on passenger and driver side of vehicle causing vision problems. Tt
Geo Tracker: every year compared
All Tracker years1990 Geo Tracker vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Geo Tracker | 25 | 1 | C | |
| 1990 Geo Storm | 46 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Geo Metro | 39 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Geo Prizm | 38 | 1 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1990 Geo Tracker
Does the 1990 Geo Tracker have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1990 Geo Tracker: buckle assembly (May 1995). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Geo Tracker?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (13), brakes (5), body, doors & structure (4).
How many complaints has the 1990 Geo Tracker had?
25 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 18, 1995 and the latest on June 7, 2002. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 1 death.
Is the 1990 Geo Tracker a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 44 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Geo Tracker year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Geo Tracker years have the most complaints?
1996 (71), 1995 (64), 1994 (51). See every Geo Tracker year compared.
What should I do if my 1990 Geo Tracker has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data