Chevrolet Tracker Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Chevrolet Tracker options? We analyzed 10 model years (2000–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chevrolet Tracker has 386 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2000–2020. The most reported issue area is SUSPENSION. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2004 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Tracker
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2020 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 386
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 63
- Fire-related complaints
- 5
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (115 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2004 (15 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- SUSPENSION
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Chevrolet Tracker: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe CHEVROLET TRACKER has 386 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. 63 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 386 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- 63 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 386 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
386 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I purchased a vehicle from a friend that is 20 years old but runs great and he takes great care of his vehicles. This one was his away car, in that he was here only 6 months of the year and drove this one mainly when he was here and only put on about 2-3 thousand miles per year. He told me he was scraping the car so I offered him scrap value but little to my knowledge that the total frame is rotted from inside to out and on driving it home it thumped, shook rattled and scared the crap out of me. I had no idea being a car person all my life that this vehicle would be allowed on the road with only 84k on it it is undriveable and even a pro welder would not work on it.
TAKATA INFLATORS RECALL DID NOT INFLATE ON IMPACT
THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL. HOW EVEN ON DEC 19, 2016 THIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN A FRONT END CRASH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT CAME LOOSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT NOTIFY THE CONTACT OF A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR RUST AND CORROSION ON THE CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN INSPECTION, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER BAR HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE STATUTE HAD EXPIRED FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE CROSS MEMBER. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF EITHER A DEALER OR A MECHANIC WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE TO PASS AN INSPECTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,932.
DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE SEVERELY. THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT, EXPERIENCING PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. I PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY AND UPON INVESTIGATION NOTICED THE CROSS BEAM WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD BROKE FREE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS THREE MONTHS PAST THE EXTENDED COVERAGE. I HAD THE TRACKER CHECKED PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS PROBLEM WHEN I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET ABOUT A POSSIBLE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR. REALLY! IF CHEVROLET KNEW THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED TO BEGIN WITH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE DUST SHIELD ON THE REAR BRAKES BECAME CORRODED. THE CONTACT WANTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PART WAS OBSOLETE AND NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE I STORE IT RIGHT AND WASH ALL THE SALT OFF DURING WINTER THERE WAS NO CORROSION OR AT LEAST I THOUGHT UNTIL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE COME TO FIND OUT MY FRONT CROSSMEMBER WAS EXTRREMEMLY CORRODED BUT THE METAL RIGHT NEXT TO IT WAS NOT CORRODED AT ALL SO THEY USED INFERIOR METAL THE ACCIDENT DAMAGED THE FENDERS BUMPER AND LIGHTS IT ALSO DESTROYED MY SWAY BAR LINKS STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND WHEN I CALLED CHEVY THE TOLD ME THEY KNEW ABOUT IT AND THAT THE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED THE FRONT OF END INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CONTUSIONS AND BRUISING TO THE TORSO REGION. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. UPDATED 04/22/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HIT A PATCH OF ICE WHILE DRIVING, SHE VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND FLIPPED OVER 3 TIMES. UPDATE 04/24/14
MYSELF AND 2 DAUGHTERS WERE IN A HEAD ON WRECK 2/04/2010 WHEN A GUY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US, NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY DAUGHTER HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASH. THE PREGNANT ONE WAS THANKFULLY IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR
THE LOWER ARM CONTROL PROBLEMS AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WITH MY VEHICLE, CHEVROLET TRACKER 2004. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXCESSIVELY WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTION BECAUSE THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND IT REPRESENTED A SAFETY RISK IF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT TO DRIVE POSITION.
THE SALES MAN , JAM JAMISON SOLD ME THIS CAR WHICH WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I GOT IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GIVING ME SO MANY PROBLEMS. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED SO MANY TIMES TO FIX THE CAR BUT IT JUST COMES BACK TO ME THE SAME WAY. WHEN I RUN THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A REALLY LOUD NOISE. ALSO WHILE I'M DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST TURNS OFF ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HAVE TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, AND DONE ALL THE MAINTENANCE THE CAR NEEDS THE CAR JUST DOES NOT FUNCTION RIGHT. *JB
SQUEAK FROM FRONT AXEL/POWER TRAIN DURING COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *JB
THE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VIBRATION. VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN GOING 65-70 MPH . DEALER STATED NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND ON THE VEHICLE. *AK *NM
I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 CHEVY TRACKER. I HAD PUT 260 MILES ON IT IN SHORT TRIPS. ON MARCH 26, 2004 I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP AND TURN LEFT TO LEAVE A LARGE PARKING LOT IN A RURAL AREA. MY ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE WHEELS FAILED. WHILE TURNING THE STERRING WHEEL THE TIRES MOVED ON AN INCH OR SO. THE STERRING WHEEL "CHEVY LOGO" WAS UPSIDE DOWN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT "FOUR PINS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE STERRING MECHANISM." I WAS LIVID. I HAD BEEN DRIVING ALL OVER THE PLACE WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN ALONG AND IF I HAD BEEN ANYWHERE ELSE BESIDE THIS RURAL LOCATION WE COULD HAVE ALL BEEN KILLED. I REFUSED TO LEAVE WITH THE CAR AND INSISTED ON A NEW ONE. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF DEBATE A SALES MANAGER TOOK MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS AND TOLD ME THAT GM WOULD BUY THE CAR BACK. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS TO GET ALL OF THE PAPERWORK COMPLETE BUT THE NEW ONE IS MINE. I HOPE THIS WAS A FLUKE AND I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE.
CORROSION AND RUST PROOFING CAUSING THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS TO CORRODE AND DETACH
FUSES AND BRAKERS KEEP POPPING/BLOWING ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. WHEN POPPED THE VEHICLE LOSES THE ABILITY FOR THE BRAKES TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTER WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO USE THE HORN. RECENTLY I HAD A DIFFERENT FUSE POP THAT CUT ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS AFFECTING SOME ON THE OUTSIDE. THE FOLLOWING FAILED. THE BREAK LIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE WHEN TURNED ON OR WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BREAK, EMERGENCY FLASHERS DID NOT WORK, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTING FAILED, DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK, WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR THE LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN ON INSIDE OF THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED I HAD TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE SHIFTER BY GOING UNDERNEATH OF THE SHIFTER AND RELEASING THE LOCK WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK AND THEN MOVE THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL AT THE SAME TIME TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THESE HAVE BEEN RECURRING ISSUES WITH REGULAR SHOP MATNEINCE THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 135000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY. IT HAS PLENTY OF LIFE IN IT AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THESE CONTINUED ISSUES. HELP!!!
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. THERE ARE NO CODES, AND THE MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THIS.
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER RUSTED THROUGH
FEONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE.
Showing 20 of 386 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Chevrolet Tracker
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Chevrolet Tracker, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chevrolet Tracker has 386 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chevrolet Tracker has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 63 of the Chevrolet Tracker's 386 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chevrolet Tracker vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Chevrolet Tracker vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chevrolet Tracker has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Chevrolet Tracker by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Chevrolet Tracker.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Chevrolet Tracker reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet Tracker reliable?
Poor. The Chevrolet Tracker has 386 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is SUSPENSION. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Chevrolet Tracker years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (115 complaints), 2003 (96 complaints), 2001 (88 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Chevrolet Tracker problems?
Top reported issues: SUSPENSION (93 complaints); STRUCTURE (70 complaints); AIR BAGS (43 complaints).
Does the Chevrolet Tracker have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Chevrolet Tracker. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.