- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: if an ignition source was present, fuel leakage resulting from this puncture could result in a post-crash fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will install two new shield gussets between the fuel tank and attachment brackets to prevent the reinforcement from puncturing the fuel tank wall.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Geo Tracker Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 71 complaints about the 1996 Geo Tracker with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (21) and the airbags (11). Those complaints describe 15 crashes, 1 fire and 10 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in July 1996 for the tank assembly. For comparison, the 1995 has 64 and the 1997 has 25.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Tracker year, for its age
#76 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 71
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 15
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 10
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 Geo Tracker problems
Share of all 71 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1996 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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71 complaints about the 1996 Geo Tracker
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.
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 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
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.
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
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 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
Door on passenger's side is rusted to point where hinges and bolts are coming right through door.*Ak
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...
Read the full complaint
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
Brake proportion valvue leaks fluid, resulting in extended stopping distance. Please provide further details.*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
While driving about 45 mph vehicle crashed into a cow head-on first. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. *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
Engine stalls with no warning at idle. Dealer can't help. Engine also making excessive tapping noise at start-up.*Ak
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
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
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
Engine began to race cause difficulty to control.
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
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
The driver's seatback is loose. The driver has to prop a box behind the seat for it to stay up. *Ak
Repair was refused under warranty. No defect listed. *Ak
Son seriously injured in a head-on collision due to the air bags not deploying and seat belts not holding him back. *Ak *ml
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
Geo Tracker: every year compared
All Tracker years1996 Geo Tracker vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Geo Tracker | 71 | 1 | F | |
| 1996 Geo Metro | 88 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Geo Prizm | 61 | 1 | F | 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 1996 Geo Tracker
Does the 1996 Geo Tracker have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1996 Geo Tracker: tank assembly (July 1996). 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 1996 Geo Tracker?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (21), airbags (11), seats & seat belts (10).
How many complaints has the 1996 Geo Tracker had?
71 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 3, 1995 and the latest on August 25, 2004. Of these, 15 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 10 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 Geo Tracker a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 15 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than 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 1996 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