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1996 Geo Tracker
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1996 Geo Tracker, concerning fuel system, gasoline, and 71 consumer complaints received since 1995.
The component named most often is engine and engine cooling: 223.3 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 141.4 per 1,000 across all 1996 model-year vehicles and against 124.4 per 1,000 for the Geo Tracker line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 23.7 complaints per model year across the 15 Geo Tracker model years on this register; 15 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 1997 (23); the most recent in the file is dated 25 Aug 2004.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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."
Consequence: Consequence of non-compliance: if an ignition source was present, fuel leakage resulting from this puncture could result in a post-crash fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install two new shield gussets between the fuel tank and attachment brackets to prevent the reinforcement from puncturing the fuel tank wall.
Filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1996 Geo Tracker (black) against all 1996 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1996 | Tracker line | All 1996 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 223.3 | 124.4 | 141.4 |
| Air Bags | 106.8 | 42.2 | 66.6 |
| Power Train | 87.4 | 84.4 | 98.2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 77.7 | 86.7 | 121.3 |
| Equipment | 68 | 37.8 | 22 |
| Suspension | 58.3 | 64.4 | 55 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 23 | 223.3 | 124.4 | 141.4 |
| Air Bags | 11 | 106.8 | 42.2 | 66.6 |
| Power Train | 9 | 87.4 | 84.4 | 98.2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 77.7 | 86.7 | 121.3 |
| Equipment | 7 | 68 | 37.8 | 22 |
| Suspension | 6 | 58.3 | 64.4 | 55 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 58.3 | 75.6 | 83.8 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 48.5 | 91.1 | 23 |
| Structure | 5 | 48.5 | 146.7 | 39.4 |
| Seats | 5 | 48.5 | 35.6 | 14.2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 38.8 | 22.2 | 51.6 |
| Wheels | 4 | 38.8 | 13.3 | 8.6 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 19.4 | 8.9 | 4.2 |
| Tires | 2 | 19.4 | 22.2 | 37.3 |
| Steering | 2 | 19.4 | 48.9 | 48.9 |
| Visibility | 1 | 9.7 | 35.6 | 59.2 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 9.7 | 2.2 | 3.9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 9.7 | 17.8 | 41.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 9.7 | 17.8 | 22.1 |
71 unique complaints, 103 component mentions; 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other Geo Tracker model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1989 NHTSA | 1 | 10 | 466,902 |
| 1990 | 1 | 25 | 466,902 |
| 1991 NHTSA | 1 | 18 | 466,902 |
| 1992 NHTSA | 0 | 19 | — |
| 1993 NHTSA | 1 | 24 | 34,172 |
| 1994 | 3 | 48 | 37,639 |
| 1995 | 0 | 64 | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 71 | 18,121 |
| 1997 | 0 | 25 | — |
| 1998 NHTSA | 0 | 18 | — |
| 1999 | 3 | 22 | 31,775 |
| 2000 NHTSA | 0 | 7 | — |
| 2001 NHTSA | 1 | 2 | 1,016 |
| 2002 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Geo Tracker model years · Geo: 4 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1996 Geo Tracker have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign name this model year; the most recent, 96V121001, was reported to NHTSA on 1 Jul 1996 and concerns fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. Across all model years the Geo Tracker line has 9 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1996 Geo Tracker?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 1996 Geo Tracker complain about most?
Engine and Engine Cooling: 23 of 103 component mentions (223.3 per 1,000). Next is air bags with 11. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.