1996 Geo Tracker Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Tracker years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 8 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Geo Tracker. That is the most of any Tracker model year in the database (8 years). The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (22 complaints, 31%). Complaints mention 15 crashes, 1 fire, 10 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 71owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 15complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Geo Tracker problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 31% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 11 | 15% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 11% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 7 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 5 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Geo Tracker recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
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."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: if an ignition source was present, fuel leakage resulting from this puncture could result in a post-crash fire.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Other Geo Tracker years
← 1995 Tracker · 1997 Tracker →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Tracker | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 Tracker | 2 | 1 |
| 2000 Tracker | 7 | 0 |
| 1999 Tracker | 22 | 3 |
| 1998 Tracker | 18 | 0 |
| 1997 Tracker | 25 | 0 |
| 1996 | 71 | 1 |
| 1995 Tracker | 64 | 0 |
See all Geo Tracker problems by year, every Geo model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Geo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Geo Tracker?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, air bags, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 22 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Geo Tracker?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Geo Tracker a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Tracker model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.