Tracker 800SX Problems: Recalls, Fixes and Diagnosis Chart

Last updated on October 19th, 2026 at 12:36 am

The Tracker 800SX problems to check first are two recalls: park roll-away on 2022 to 2024 models and a leaking fuel cap on 2022 and 2023 models. Dealers fix both for free. After that, the usual trouble is belt squeal, heat and no-crank, and most of it traces back to checks the owner’s manual already lists.

Every value below comes from Tracker’s 800SX Operator’s Manuals (2021 manual, 2022 800SX Operator’s Manual and 2024 manual) or from the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notices. Owner reports from forums are marked as owner reports, because no manufacturer bulletin backs them up.

Check the two Tracker 800SX recalls first

Textron Specialized Vehicles, which builds Tracker and Arctic Cat, has two open recalls that name the 800SX and 800SX Crew. Both say to stop using the vehicle until a dealer has done the free repair, and Textron is contacting known owners directly.

Your VIN decides which one applies. The tenth VIN digit is “N” for a 2022 and “P” for a 2023, and the VIN is printed on the operator side of the frame under the cargo box. Textron’s recall line in the CPSC notices is 800-279-2281, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central.

Recall	Models and years	Hazard	Free repair
Park roll-away, CPSC 24-709 (Nov. 9, 2023), expanded by CPSC 25-701 (Oct. 17, 2024)	800SX and 800SX Crew, 2022 to 2024 (original recall covered 2022 and 2023; about 7,000 units in the U.S. after expansion)	Vehicle can move on an incline while “park” shows on the digital dash. 12 reports, no injuries reported in the notice	New shift cable bracket, shift sensor and dash decal. The new sensor shows an “E” if park is not fully engaged
Fuel cap leak, CPSC 24-229 (May 9, 2024)	800SX and 800SX Crew, 2022 and 2023 (about 10,300 units in the U.S.)	Cap does not fit properly, so fuel can leak around the filler neck, a fire risk. 48 reports, no injuries reported	Dealer inspection and repair

If you cannot get to a dealer right away, use the manual’s parking steps on any slope. Press and hold the brake pedal, shift to P and turn the ignition off. Then release the brake slowly and confirm the dash shows P before you get out.

Chock the wheels on top of that. Do not trust the dash alone on a hill.

The manual also warns that parking on any incline loads the shifting parts and can cause hard shifting. That is one more reason a shift cable bracket and sensor were the recall fix.

Tracker 800SX problems at a glance

Start with the symptom you have. The “check first” column is free and takes minutes, and the last column says when a dealer should take over.

Tracker publishes no labor rates or part prices, so costs here are classes: free (checks and cleaning), low (consumables such as a belt, plugs or fluid) and dealer (diagnosis or parts).

Symptom	Check first (free)	Likely cause	Fix and cost class
Click or nothing when you turn the key	Shift lever in P and brake pedal pressed; dash battery voltage; terminals	Brake interlock not satisfied, low battery, loose or corroded terminal	Free to low. Still dead after charging: dealer (section 1)
Battery keeps going flat	Terminal cleanliness, charger type, accessories on, how long it sits	Self-discharge, corroded terminals, short trips, winch or accessory draw	Free to low. Use a maintenance charger (section 2)
Temperature warning, fan running a long time	Radiator fins, coolant at cold full line, fan operation	Packed radiator, low coolant, trapped air, fan circuit fault	Free to low. Constant coolant loss: dealer (section 3)
Belt squeal, burning smell or jerky take-off	Water or dust in the CVT, belt condition, Low range for heavy work	Wet or glazed belt, dirty or worn clutches	Low to dealer. Repeated squeal after a new belt: dealer (section 4)
Stuck in Low, hard to shift, or won’t move when you press the pedal	Shift only at idle, check the dash shows the gear, seat belt fastened, brake switch	Shift cable or park mechanism, seat belt speed limiter, brake signal	Free to dealer (section 4, section 5)
Engine icon with a code, misfire or power loss	Write down the code, air filter, spark plugs, fuel	Dirty filter, fouled plug, or a sensor, coil or fuel pump fault	Free to dealer (section 5)
Soft brake pedal	Pedal firmness, fluid between MIN and MAX, pad thickness	Low fluid, worn pads, old fluid, air or leak	Low to dealer (section 6)
Fuel smell or wetness at the cap	Model year and VIN against the recall	Fuel cap recall on 2022 and 2023 units	Stop using it. Dealer repair is free (recalls)

One note on the symptom you will see most in search results: the 800SX is a CVT machine, so there is a drive belt to inspect and replace. Tracker’s own maintenance schedule says so.

The two things most guides miss are in the manual: the starter will not run unless the brake pedal is pressed, and the speed is limited to 15 mph when the driver’s seat belt is not fully engaged. Both are covered below.

What is your Tracker 800SX doing?

Built from the 2022 800SX Operator’s Manual, the 2024 manual and the CPSC notices above. It is a checklist, not a diagnosis, and your own manual overrides it.

If you pick a symptom and add your model year, the result also tells you which recall applies to that year. Each sentence in the result comes from the sections that follow.

Check order for no-crank, heat and belt squeal

The flowchart is the whole guide on one screen. Work down one column, stop when the problem is gone, and only go to the dealer step after the free ones.

The sections below give the reasoning and the values behind each step.

1. Won’t crank or won’t start

Before blaming the starter, run the manual’s own starting steps. The shift lever must be in park and the brake pedal pressed, because the vehicle has an interlock that stops the starter motor when the brake pedal is not depressed. A weak or sticking brake switch can look like a dead starter, and the manual’s code list has P0504 “Brake Switch Priority” for that circuit.

1. Shift to P, press the brake pedal firmly and turn the key to START. Release the key as soon as the engine fires.
2. Do not run the starter longer than 15 seconds. Wait 60 seconds between tries so the starter motor can cool.
3. Look at the battery voltage on the dash. Press the right button on the gauge to cycle to battery voltage, and hold it to see the actual value.
4. Charge the battery with the key off, clean the terminals with baking soda and water, and tighten them.
5. Check the fuses. The manual says to check them first for any electrical failure. They sit in two Power Distribution Modules under the hood, and a blown fuse must be replaced with the same type and rating. If a new fuse blows again, take it to a dealer.
6. If it still will not crank, the dash may show a starter relay code (P0615, P0616 or P0617) or an EFI main relay code (P0685 to P0687). Write it down and call the dealer.

If wiggling the battery cables changes anything, the terminal or cable end is loose, and tightening it costs nothing.

2. Battery and charging problems

The manual lists what drains the battery: ambient temperature, current draw with the ignition off, corroded terminals, self-discharge, frequent starts and short run times. Frequent winch use, extended low-RPM running and high-amperage accessories add to it. The accessory plugs are powered by the battery at all times, even with the key off.

The battery is in a compartment in front of the right rear wheel. Tracker recommends the CTEK Multi US 800 or Multi US 3300 for maintenance charging, and says any battery not used for more than two weeks needs it.

1. Charge with the ignition OFF. Red lead to the positive terminal, black lead to the negative terminal, then plug in.
2. The charger moves to float at about 95 percent and restarts if the battery falls below 12.9 volts. Leave it connected at least an hour after the maintenance light comes on.
3. If the battery gets hot to the touch, stop charging and resume after it cools.
4. On a fillable battery, keep the fluid at the upper level and add only distilled water.
5. Do not jump-start a dead battery if you can avoid it. The manual says to remove it, service it and charge it. In an emergency, disconnect accessories such as phones and GPS first, because power spikes can damage them.

If the battery will not hold a charge after a full charge, Tracker’s note is to bring it to a dealer for further testing. The 800SX with power steering also needs a healthy battery, since the steering assist is battery powered.

3. Overheating and fan problems

The 800SX has an electric cooling fan that runs when coolant temperature passes set thresholds and shuts off when it drops. The manual tells you not to shut the vehicle off while the fan is running. Let it idle until the fan stops, and if coolant temperature keeps climbing, have a dealer inspect it.

1. Wash mud and debris out of the radiator fins with a garden hose at normal tap pressure. Tracker warns not to use a pressure washer because it can bend the fins and damage the electrical parts on the radiator.
2. With the engine cold, check the coolant in the reservoir. It should not be lower than the cold full line. At operating temperature it can sit above that line.
3. Never check coolant on a hot engine or under pressure.
4. Look for drips at the hoses, radiator and water pump. Leakage or damage means a dealer visit.
5. If the reservoir is empty and nothing is leaking, refill and bleed trapped air. Slowly loosen the plug on top of the thermostat housing on the left side of the engine until pure coolant (no air) flows, tighten it, fill to the cold line, run the engine five minutes, then recheck once cool.
6. Use a 60/40 coolant and water mix, or a mix that suits your coldest weather, with good quality glycol-based antifreeze. The system holds 6 quarts.

The dash may show P0217 (engine coolant over temperature), the coolant temperature sensor codes P0116 to P0118, or the fan relay codes P0480, P0481 and P0691 to P0694. Any of those after the free checks is a dealer job.

Slow, heavy work raises temperature. The manual says high RPM, low speed or a heavy load can raise engine temperature, and that lower RPM, less load and the right gear bring it down.

Radiator cleaning is on the 200 hour or 2,000 mile schedule, and coolant is replaced every 24 months. Owners on the UTV Board 800SX thread also report coolant leaks and a seven-month wait for a water pump on a 2020 model.

4. CVT belt squeal, clutch drag and shifting problems

The 800SX has a fully automatic CVT feeding a dual-range transaxle (P, R, N, H, L). Belt squeal is the most common complaint in the UTV Board 800SX thread.

Posters describe a squeal for a few seconds on a cold start that fades (a 2020 Crew and a 2022 LE). Others say it came back after the dealer replaced both clutches and the belt more than once. These are owner reports, and no Tracker service bulletin turned up for them.

What the manual does say is specific. Always use low range on wet or uneven ground, when towing or pushing heavy loads, and when using a plow, or you risk premature V-belt failure. Never raise engine speed above idle while in park, or belt damage will occur. Shift only after a complete stop with the engine at idle.

1. Note whether the squeal is only on a cold start and fades within a few minutes, or stays. A squeal that stays points at the belt or clutches.
2. Dry and clean the CVT housing after water or mud, and inspect and clean the CVT air inlet. The manual says to do this whenever the clutches or belt are serviced.
3. Inspect the belt for glazing, fraying or burned spots. The schedule has the belt, drive and driven clutches and CVT air inlet inspected every 200 hours or 2,000 miles, with clutch engagement RPM checked at about 1,200 to 1,300.
4. Shift into low range for heavy, wet or towing work.
5. A new belt that squeals again needs a dealer clutch inspection. Ask about warranty first: Tracker’s spec page lists a standard 18-month warranty.

For stuck-in-Low or hard shifting, an owner of a 2021 Crew reports the shifter cable needed adjusting, and the manual notes that parking on an incline can cause hard shifting. Shift cable and park issues are also what the park roll-away recall repairs, so confirm your recall status before adjusting anything yourself.

5. Power loss, engine icon, codes and the 15 mph limiter

Whenever the engine control unit finds a fault, the dash shows an engine icon and a code until the fault is fixed. Write the code down before you do anything else. The manual says to have an authorized dealer correct the error and reset the system as soon as possible.

If the engine just feels weak, do the free items first. The air filter must be kept clean for power and mileage, and inspected more often in dusty, wet or muddy riding. The recommended fuel is regular 87 octane with no more than 10 percent ethanol.

1. Clear the air filter clean-out valve and inspect the primary filter.
2. Pull the spark plugs. The manual says light brown is correct, and a white or dark insulator means the engine may need service. The plug is an F6RTC with a 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) gap, tightened to 14.75 ft-lb (20 N·m).
3. Fill with fresh 87 octane fuel with 10 percent ethanol or less.
4. Read the code against the table below and call a dealer for anything on the list.

Dash code	What the manual says it is	Where to start
P0504, P2299	Brake switch priority; brake pedal and accelerator pedal position incompatible	Brake switch and its connector, then dealer
P0562, P0563	System voltage low or high	Battery and charging checks in section 2
P0217, P0116 to P0118	Coolant over temperature; coolant temperature sensor circuit	Cooling checks in section 3
P0480, P0481, P0691 to P0694	Fan relay control circuits	Fan checks in section 3, then dealer
P0615 to P0617	Starter relay circuit	Brake interlock and battery, then dealer
P0363, P2300 to P2307	Misfire detected, fueling disabled; ignition coil circuits	Spark plugs, then dealer
P0627 to P0629	Fuel pump control circuit	Fuse and connectors, then dealer
P0370 to P0374	Crankshaft position sensor	Dealer
C0063, C0064	Tilt sensor circuit	Dealer
C1351 to C1376	Electric power steering faults (equipped models)	Key off then on to reset. If the code stays, do not drive: steering assist may be lost

Two limits explain “it won’t go” complaints. The vehicle is limited to 15 mph if the operator’s seat belt is not fully engaged, and the belt indicator stays lit until it is.

The speed limiter can also be set lower in the gauge’s ADVANCED menu, optionally with a password, so a low top speed can be a setting rather than a fault. In reverse in 2WD there is a reverse limiter, and selecting 4WD overrides it.

The UTV Board thread has a 2022 owner whose second fuel pump failed at about 350 miles, with the dealer blaming a breaking-down fuel filter.

That is one report and no fix was confirmed. Treat it as a reason to check fuel quality and note P0627 to P0629 codes, not as a known defect.

6. Brake problems

The manual says to inspect the hydraulic brake system before every ride. Press the brake pedal several times to check for firmness. If it is not firm, take it to a dealer. Do not ride with a pedal that sinks.

1. Check the brake fluid level, which must stay between MAX and MIN. The reservoir is under the hood and takes DOT 4 fluid. Use only approved fluid and never mix types.
2. Measure each pad. If either pad’s friction material is under 0.5 mm (0.019 in.), have a dealer replace the pads.
3. Inspect the hoses for cracks and leaks. Damaged hoses go to a dealer.
4. Brake fluid is replaced every 24 months, and pad wear is a dealer-checked item every 200 hours or 2,000 miles.

Do not ride the brake. The manual says even light constant pressure drags the pads and can overheat the fluid, and that new pads need burnishing: ten runs from 30 mph down to 5 mph with light braking, cooling between runs.

Tracker 800SX specs and service values by model year

The manuals disagree with some numbers circulating online, including older versions of this page. Tracker’s spec page lists 1,585 lb and 26x9 front, 26x11 rear tires for the 2022 model. The 2021 and 2022 manuals list 1,597 lb and 26x10 tires front and rear, and the 2024 manual lists 26x9 and 26x11.

Item	2021 and 2022 manuals	2024 manual
Engine	812 cc (manual); three-cylinder, EFI, 50 hp (Tracker spec page)	812 cc (manual)
Tires, 800SX (front / rear)	26x10 R14 / 26x10 R14	26x9 R14 / 26x11 R14
Tire pressure, no cargo (front / rear)	12 psi / 14 psi	12 psi / 14 psi
Dry weight, 800SX	1,597 lb	1,597 lb
Spark plug and gap	F6RTC, 1.0 mm	F6RTC, 1.0 mm
Idle / max RPM	950 ± 25 / 6,300	950 ± 25 / 6,300
Fuel tank / fuel	10 gal, 87 octane, up to 10% ethanol	Same
Engine oil	0W-40 synthetic, about 2.5 qt	Same
Coolant	6 qt	6 qt
Transaxle / front differential	41 fl oz / 6.7 fl oz	Same
Payload / tow rating	1,500 lb / 2,000 lb	1,500 lb / 2,000 lb
Lug nut torque	100 ft-lb, in 25 ft-lb steps	Same
Door latching check	Not listed	Every 6 months, add shims as needed

If you change tire size, your speedometer will read wrong. Use the tire size calculator to see by how much.

Tracker 800SX service schedule from the manual

Most problems in this guide get worse when a scheduled check is skipped. This is the maintenance schedule from the manual.

Hours and miles are both listed, so go by whichever comes first. Items marked dealer in the manual are dealer maintenance.

Interval	Check	Replace or clean
First 10 hours / 100 miles	Wheel lug nuts (100 ft-lb)	None
First 50 hours / 500 miles	Lug nuts, fluid levels	Transaxle fluid, front differential fluid, engine oil and filter
Every 100 hours / 1,000 miles	Fluid levels, rear knuckle grease, air filter outer element	Air filter outer element as necessary
Every 200 hours / 2,000 miles	Brake pads (dealer), battery terminals, CVT belt, clutches, CVT air inlet, clutch engagement RPM, plug gap, hardware	Engine oil and filter, alternator belt, spark plugs and CVT belt as necessary; clean radiator, battery terminals, CVT air inlet and clutches
Every 400 hours / 4,000 miles	Rubber lines and hoses, inner air filter, intake hose	Transaxle fluid, front differential fluid, inner air filter as necessary
Every 500 hours / 5,000 miles	Valve lash (dealer)	None
Every 24 months	None	Brake fluid, engine coolant

Tracker’s own speed test found the 800SX runs about 45 to 53 mph, according to its speed article. It lists no official top speed.

Tracker 800SX questions owners ask

Does the Tracker 800SX have a belt?

Yes. It has a CVT with a drive belt, plus an alternator belt. Both are on the 200 hour or 2,000 mile schedule.

Was the Tracker 800SX recalled?

Yes, two recalls: park roll-away on 2022 to 2024 models and a fuel cap leak on 2022 and 2023 models. Dealer repairs are free.

Why won’t my Tracker 800SX crank?

Check that the shift lever is in P and the brake pedal is pressed, then the battery, terminals and fuses. The starter interlock stops the starter when the brake pedal is not depressed.

Why is my Tracker 800SX stuck at 15 mph?

The seat belt speed limiter holds the vehicle to 15 mph until the operator’s belt is fully engaged. A password-protected speed limiter setting in the gauge menu can also cap speed.

Is the Tracker 800SX 4WD?

Yes. It has a 2WD/4WD switch and a separate switch that mechanically locks the rear axle.

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