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Vehicle safety record

1997 Geo Tracker Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1997 Geo Tracker with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (6) and the airbags (5). Those complaints describe 5 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1996 has 71 and the 1998 has 18.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Tracker year, for its age

#122 most complained-about 1997 vehicle

Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 1997 Geo Tracker problems

Share of all 25 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1997 Geo Tracker

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Geo Tracker. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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25 complaints about the 1997 Geo Tracker

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Airbags

Air bag light comes on when temperature reaches above 90 degrees. Driver side air bag outer shell becomes very soft. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10229058
Engine & cooling

Had previous diagnosis on egr valve. Had replaced on 1/19 after ses code cleared another code popped up for pre-cat o2 sensor. Upon fixing that problem on 1/28 yet another egr code came up and was diagnosed on 1/30 for the egr transducer which controls the egr valve I just had replaced! Replaced transducer on 1/31. Between labor, parts & diagnostics I shelled out $530.00. Plus I had a egr solenoid replaced on 7/23/02. This is crazy, all this stuff went one after another something has to been wrong related either to the fuel system of said vehicle or to egr system of said vehicle! *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10056276
Brakes

While driving on interstate highway, it felt like my transmission had went the car would not move further after going through a toll both. Had car towed to nh chevy car dealer, found nothing wrong on 3 occasions. Personal ny chevy dealer found master brake cylinder had blown causing brakes to lock on their own, while also causing brakes to severely smoke. Took over 2 weeks to find problem & correct. *Jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10056272
Brakes

While driving on interstate highway, it felt like my transmission had went the car would not move further after going through a toll both. Had car towed to nh chevy car dealer, found nothing wrong on 3 occasions. Personal ny chevy dealer found master brake cylinder had blown causing brakes to lock on their own, while also causing brakes to severely smoke. Took over 2 weeks to find problem & correct. *Jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10056271
Engine & coolingElectrical systemEquipment & accessories

Vehicle stalls due to electrical fuse problems. The wipers, turn signals and interior lighting may also be effected by the electrical fuse problem. The air conditioner failed and the exhaust fell off the car. *Ak *cb *nlm

Filed Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10022837
Equipment & accessories

Cannot seem to keep car out of shop due to no air. I am an elderly lady and cannot keep on not knowing if my car is going to keep me cool.*Ak

Filed Incident EquipmentNHTSA 765228
Electrical systemFire

My wife was traveling 5-7 mph on ice, the car spun and hit the curb (it did not go over the curb, just hit it). No damage was initially done to the vehicle, other than the fact that it stalled. When she tried to restart it, it would not start. After 5 minutes, she got out, walked away, and the vehicle exploded and caught on fire. This should never happen! If she were traveling any faster, she may be dead.

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 758757
Suspension

When driving consumer heard a funny noise coming from front end of vehicle, also when brakes were applied, there was a big thumping noise coming from front end, consumer has contacted dealer, the dealer was unable to detect cause.*Ak consumer states the brakes, rotors, catalytic converter were replaced, but the noise continued, the dealer detemined the problem to be the right hub assembly.*Jb

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 894896
BrakesTransmission & drivetrain

There was a funny noise like when putting flapping cards on a bicycle, and when putting on brakes, there was a loud thump.*Ak the consumer was unable to use 4 wheel drive because it grindes the gears( sounded like marbles were rolling in the hub). *Yh

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Power trainNHTSA 879582
Transmission & drivetrain

4 Wheel auto locking hubs failed, dealer stated that both sides need repaired even though it's only the left side that is defective. *Slc

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 785153
BrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise control

Automatic transmission would slip while changing gears. Rpms would rev up excessively high. Would jerk into gear. Filter was changed twice/oil pan had metal chafings in it/abs brakes make noises & had rotors turned.*Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 872165
AirbagsCrash1 injury

Consumer's daugther was driving about 20 mph and she rear ended a vehicle that was in front of her, but air bags did not deploy. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 856096
Body, doors & structure

Driver's side door is very loose due to missing hinges on the driver's door, also, there is one hinge holding the door in place,the lower hinge, there is a tsb listed for the same type of problem, dealer refuses to correct problem. Please provide any further details. *Ak

Filed StructureNHTSA 852055
BrakesCrash

Brakes are working intermittently. Sometimes they ar eon, and other times they are off. Also, while goin g down a grade applied the brakes and there weren't any brakes. Consumer lost control of vehicle and it overturned. Vehicle was totalled. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 849230
Equipment & accessories

AIR CONDITIONER--LOSS OF GAS.

Filed EquipmentNHTSA 609774
Suspension

When driving in windy weather conditions vehicle is very difficult to handle. *Ak

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 843152
Engine & cooling

Problems with egr valves blowing out. This causes the engine head gaskets to also blow. Been to mechanic & had 4 egr valves replaced & each time they blew out. Mechanic informed owner it was poor design. Dealership & zone representative could not find anything wrong. Vehicle & parts available for inspection. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 837333
Transmission & drivetrain

The free wheel locking hub was not unlocking when shifting from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive, which caused a shrill grinding noise while driving. I took the car to the dealership and they replaced the hub. They told me they have had a rash of these complaints lately.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 704635
AirbagsCrash

Consumer had a front end collision and air bags did not deploy,no injuries. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 829804
Engine & cooling

Vehicle stalls. At stops and yields or any other time when driver is slowing down. The same problem occurred recently with other vehicle, honda crx whichesulted in an accident. Both vehicles were totaled totaled two and two passengers sustained injuries

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 781364
AirbagsCrash

Consumer was driving on side road at approximately 35 mph on normal road condition, all of sudden both air bags deployed without warning, causing vehicle to hit a parked vehicle. Dealer notified, and refused to believe tha t air bags deployed before the accident. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 828444
Visibility & wipers

Water leaks inside the vehicle. Leaking water collects in the heater system and causes the windows to fog ; obstructing the view of the driver. Dealer has been notified. *Ak

Filed VisibilityNHTSA 826838
AirbagsSeats & seat beltsCrash

Consumer was involved in 50 mph frontal collision in which the driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy. Also, the driver's seat belt did not retract, causing the driver to hit the steering wheel. Please give any further details. *Ak

Filed Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 819577
Brakes

Emergency parking brake failed 5 times, once causing a collision.

Filed Incident Parking brakeNHTSA 521766
Electrical system

Consumer has experienced excessive fuse blowing, causing the turn signal to become inoperative . Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the fuse. Consumer had the fuse replaced on a number of times. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 815277

Geo Tracker: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20012100Engine & coolingA
20007020AirbagsA
199922340Engine & coolingC
199818021BrakesC
199725051BrakesC
1996711151Engine & coolingF
199564067Body, doors & structureF
199451393Body, doors & structureF
199324142Body, doors & structureD
All Tracker years

1997 Geo Tracker vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1997 Geo Tracker2505C
1997 Geo Metro63113DCompare
1997 Geo Prizm50213DCompare

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.

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Questions about the 1997 Geo Tracker

Does the 1997 Geo Tracker have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Geo Tracker right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Geo Tracker?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (6), airbags (5), engine & cooling (5).

How many complaints has the 1997 Geo Tracker had?

25 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 12, 1997 and the latest on May 28, 2008. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 1997 Geo Tracker a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 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?
What should I do if my 1997 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

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