2002 Chevrolet Tracker

Routine

Owners filed 59 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

38 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 84,849 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension9
100
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls4
000
Suspension › Front4
000
Structure › Frame and Members4
000
Air Bags4
314
Unknown or Other2
000
Tires2
000
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields2
101
Structure › Body2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
100

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrashFire2 injured
Filed Sep 26, 2024VA

The safety airbags exploded and burning my face and the passenger side passenger it was very hard and his arm and the of explosion of the airbags she was spraying and burning the face and was

Tires
Filed Oct 26, 2020145,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: AFFINITY TOURING, TIRE SIZE: 205/65/R15, DOT NUMBER: 2R9LDBF. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE TIRE BUT SAW NO DAMAGE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE DAMAGED ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL AND WAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2019137,570 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FRONT END SWERVED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME AND THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 201886,000 milesCA

REAR BRAKES KEEP FAILING, THEY FAILED YESTERDAY FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ABOUT 8,000 MILES. THEY ALSO DISCONTINUED A PART FOR THE REAR BRAKES. CANNOT FIND THE PART ANYWHERE. WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR, PULLED OVER AND IT WAS THE BRAKES. HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 5, 2017150,000 milesVA

AFTER A COLLISION WHERE MY TRACKER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AROUND 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE HIT DEAD ON TO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER (T-BONE) AND MY SENSOR SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED MY AIRBAGS AND DID NOT.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 8, 2017OH

MY MOTHER AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR JUST LUNGED FORWARD SHARPLY AND MADE US SWERVE A LITTLE. I PULLED OVER AND SEEN THAT THE CAR WAS SITTING "OFF" A LITTLE. WE TOWED IT HOME AND MY STEP DAD LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE CAR HAD RUSTED THROUGH THE SUBFRAME. THE SUBSPENSION SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER PART COULD OF KILLED US. SHE BOUGHT THIS CAR AT 29 MILES FROM DAVE WHITE CHEVEROLT IN 2001. NOTHING WAS SENT TO US FROM THE MANUFACTURE OR THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PART BEING A DANGEROUS PART. IT WAS TO BE REPLACED I HEARD IF THE CAR REACHED 150,000 MILES OR 10 PLUS YEARS. SHE HAD THIS CAR FOR BOTH AND WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART. WE HAD IT TOWED THIS WEEKEND AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR FREE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 21, 201630,000 milesVA

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE O2 SENSORS EVERY 2 YEARS AS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2004 (12 YEARS) SO I'VE REPLACE THE O2 SENSORS ( ALL 3) 6 TIMES. HAS THIS HAPPENED OR BEEN REPORTED BY ANY OTHER OWNERS?

Suspension
Filed May 11, 2015120,000 milesPA

FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER FOR CHEVY TRACKERIS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION AND THE GARAGE SAID THERE MUST HAVE NOT BEEN A COATING PUT ON IT FOR IT TO BE RUSTED THROUGH AND FALLING APART.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Oct 17, 2014102,000 milesME

MY CHEVY TRACKER HAS A BROKEN CROSSMEMBER/SUBFRAME/K-FRAME. FRONT SUSPENSION ARMS ARE MOUNTED TO THIS PIECE, IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MOUNTING POINT. IT COMPLETELY BROKE WHILE DRIVING, LUCKILY AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, NO MAJ. INJURY. GM KNOWS THE BAD PART WAS IN EVERY TRACKER/VITARA -THEY SAY IT WASN'T TREATED PROPERLY, HAD NO DRAIN HOLES. THERE IS A BULLETIN TO REPLACE THIS PART (#06186),10 YEARS OR 150K MILES -WHICH SPECIFIES THE REPAIR IS COVERED IF "DISPLAYS THE CONDITION OF" HAVING THE DEFECT WITHIN THAT PERIOD. FULLER GM DEALER AGREES "CLEARLY HAD THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE PERIOD BASED UPON CONDITION NOW". I'VE SUFFERED THE RUN-AROUND BETWEEN SR REP ON THE PHONE, AND THE LOCAL GM DEALER. ALL SAY "WOULD REPAIR IT IF THE OTHER WOULD". GM BY PHONE SAYS IT'S UP TO THE LOCAL, LOCAL SAYS GM HAS TO AUTHORIZE REPAIR. THEY ALL UNIV. AGREED WITH FACTS: HAD THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE BULLETIN'S DEFINITION, YET INSIST THERE'S NO WAY FOR THEM TO HELP, "THE PERIOD IS UP" -WHICH IS A CONTRADICTION! THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAILURE, FAR WORSE THAN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. IN THOSE CASES, THE CAR CAN STILL FUNCTION WITH AN AWARE DRIVER. THE TRACKER FAILURE IS CATASTROPHIC. GM SAYS BULLETIN NOTICE MAILED OUT TOLD OWNERS TO CHECK FOR THE "SIGNS" EVERY YEAR, BUT ONLY SENT OUT ONE NOTICE -NOT TO THE NEXT OWNERS (MOST MANUFS SEND NOTICES FOR NEW OWNERS)! OWNER OF MY CAR WHO MAYBE SAW THE NOTICE DIED, SO WE HAD NO WARNING TO CHECK FOR "SIGNS". EVERY GM REP SAYS THAT'S THEIR "REGRETTABLE POLICY

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody ShieldsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 26, 2014144,000 milesIA

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO-WAY RESIDENTIAL STREET, JUST PICKED UP OUR TWO YOUNGEST GRANDSON'S FROM SCHOOL, WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE JAMMED, VERY UNEXPECTEDLY, UP IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND FRAME OF THE TRACKER. THE TRACKER WENT MID AIR, AND THEN ROLLED. CONSUMER HANDWRITING IS ILLEGIBLE. .UPDATED 07/02/14 *BF

Suspension
Filed Mar 22, 2014110,000 milesOH

PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVY TRACKER ON 4/30/2002. WE'VE HAD SOME MINOR AND SOME MAJOR REPAIRS MADE, IT'S NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND HAS BEEN UP-KEPT. COMING HOME FROM WORK MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE YEAR OLD BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, WAS PULLING, AND STARTED VIBRATING AND SHAKING AT ABOUT 40 MPH. WE LATER NOTICED THE BACK BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. TWO WEEKS TO FIX BY OUR MECHANIC. ON THE TEST DRIVE NOTICED VIBRATION MUCH WORSE- VIOLENT-ABRUPT SHAKING! LATER OUR MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS ALMOST RUSTED OUT! IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. I AM GOING TO NOTIFY MANUFACTURER. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS110,000. WERE NOTIFICATIONS SENT OUT? DON'T REMEMBER ONE- I'M PRETTY ADAMANT ABOUT SAFETY! ALWAYS LOVED THIS VEHICLE, NOW TONS OF JUNK MEDAL SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND DOWN A VEHICLE! *TR

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Dec 10, 2013205,000 milesMH

I LOST EVERYTHING. I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 20 IN LASALLE AND A OLD MAN IN A BMW WAS HIGH BEAMING ME, I SLOWED DOWN AND SWITCHED TO THE RIGE TRUCK LANE. HE SPED UP IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND GAVE ME A HAND SIGNAL TO PULL OVER. I EXITED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PARKED THE TRUCK. I WENT IN THE BACK AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING BIZARRE, BUT STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE OLD MAN SAW. I WENT BACK IN THE TRUCK AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND FELT THE TRUCK HESITATING WHILE BACKING UP, NOW I PUT IT IN DRIVE, SAMETHING TRUCK HESITATING. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD AND ALL I SAW WERE FLAMES ALL OVER THE ENGINE, AIR INTAKE, AROUND THE BATTERY AND ESPECIALLY AROUND THE DIPSTICK FOR THE TRANSMISSION. WITHIN 15 MINUTES MY WHOLE TRUCK THAT I PUT 2 AND A HALF YEARS WORTH FIREMEN TOOK 25 MINUTES AT LEAST, WHILE THE COPS CAME IN 10 MIN. BY THE TIME THE COPS CAME THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY HALF BURNT. MY GIRLFRIEND WAS WITH ME GOING CRAZY. ITS GONE, ALL GONE. REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, CHANGED RACK AND PINION, CHANGE EXHAUST LINE COMPLETE FROM FRONT FLEX PIPE RIGHT TO THE REAR TAIL PIPE, FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION COMPLETELY CHANGED, BUILT IN AN IPHONE CHARGER AND THIS IS WHAT I GET, TO FIND OUT 2 WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS THAT THIS TRUCK IS OVERLOADED WITH RECALLS DUE TO BAD GAS FILTER FITTING, AND SHORT CIRCUIT IN DRIVERSIDE DOOR. THANK U GM FOR WISHING ME A MERRY CHRISTMAS.................................. *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 23, 201385,000 milesCT

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERY TIME I PRESSED THE BRAKES MY TRACKER VEERED TO THE RIGHT INTO THE OTHER LAND AND STARTED TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY. I COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH OUT IT CONSTANTLY SHAKING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER BAR HAD ROTTED OUT AND WAS COMPLETELY FULL OF RUST. AFTER A FULL INSPECTION I WAS TOLD FROM THE MECHANIC THAT MY CAR IS MECHANICALLY SOUND AND THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL WITH THIS PART. MY 2002 CHEVY TRACKER HAS JUST OVER 85000 MILES . I CONTACTED THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2012 THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS WELL UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMITS. I RECENTLY INHERITED THIS VEHICLE FROM MY MOTHER IN-LAW WHO WAS VERY SICK WITH CANCER. SHE DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE JANUARY OF 2012 DUE TO HER BEING EXTREMELY SICK. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS OF HER VEHICLE AND ALL HER PAPERWORK. SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THIS PART. I DON'T WANT GM. TO FIX THIS SINCE I HAVE MY OWN MECHANIC BUT FEEL THEY SHOULD WARRANTY THE PART. WHEN I CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE PART JUST A EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY WERE OFFERING. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR WEBSITE I SEE THAT THERE MOST DEFIANTLY WAS A RECALL AND THIS VEHICLE NEVER GOT FIXED . I CANT SAY WHETHER THE RECALL LETTER GOT LOST IN THE MAIL OR WAS NEVER SENT. THEY SAID THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION DOES RECALL NOT TH

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 30, 201388,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME BRACKET WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Suspension
Filed Oct 22, 201384,849 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT ALL OF THE CROSS MEMBERS WERE CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS, AND THE FRONT AND CENTER CROSS MEMBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO STATED THAT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR THEIR VOLUNTARY PROGRAM MENTIONED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06018 (SUSPENSION) HAD PASSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,849. UPDATED 12/23/13*LJ

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 24, 2013104,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT CLIP DID NOT RELEASE FROM HE BUCKLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE DRIVERS SEATBELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Suspension
Filed May 28, 2013112,000 milesVT

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE NIGHT WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELT LIKE ITS WAS GOING TO FALL OFF I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD COULD NOT FIND OUT WHY IT WAS DOING THIS WHEN THE TIRE WAS FINE. SO I DROVE VERY SLOWLY WITH MY CAUTION LIGHTS ON TO AND FROM WORK BECAUSE AS LONG AS YOU DID UNDER 40 IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND HE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT UNTIL HE DROVE THE CAR AND IT GOT UP TO ABOUT 50MPH THEN HE PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS THAT THE CROSSMEMBER AND LCA ATTACHMENT BRACKET HAD RUSTED SO BAD IT BROKE FREE AND THERE WAS NOTHING HOLDING THE LOWER ARM AND TIRE IN PLACE THIS MADE ME UPSET BECAUSE I JUST HAD THE CAR INSPECTED FOUR MONTHS EARLIER.AND THEY DID NOT CATCH THIS, SO WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED IT AND HE BOUGHT A NEW PART FOR IT AND IT WAS GOOD BUT IT WAS STARTING TO RUSTING OUT ON BOTTOM PART BELOW THE DOORS AND AROUND THE TIRES THEN JUST A WEEK OR SO AGO THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND THAT'S HOW I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS AND AS OF DATE 5/28/13 I ONLY HAVE 137,003 MILEAGE ON MY TRACKER. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 8, 2013110,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION, WHO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. ...UPDATED 05/29/13 *BF UPDATED 06/12/2013 *JS

Suspension
Filed Mar 14, 201379,325 milesMI

AFTER A YEAR OF REPAIRS INCLUDING MUFFLER SYSTEM, FRONT SWAY BAR, SHIFTER CABLE AND ALTERNATOR, I FINALLY GOT TO DRIVE MY CHEVY TRACKER AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY A SHAKE (4/12) THAT NIGHT, THE OIL PAN DEVELOPED A LEAK. I FINALLY SAVED UP ENOUGH TO GET THAT FIXED IN 1/13, I STILL NOTICED A SHAKE, BUT NEEDED TO GET THE BRAKE LINES REPAIRED. I DID THAT AND STILL NOTICED THE SHAKE AND IT WAS GETTING WORSE. THOUGHT THE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE BLED SO BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SHOP. MY REPAIRMAN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ARM SUSPENSION BRACKET WAS RUSTED THROUGH. DID A LITTLE INVESTIGATION ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THE SPECIAL WARRANTY FROM CHEVY REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FROM FELLOW CUSTOMERS. I CALLED CHEVY ON 3/14/13 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DIDN'T MATCH THE RECALL. I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VIN NUMBER DID MATCH THE RECALL, BUT I WAS LATE BECAUSE THE RECALL EXPIRED IN 2012. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY I WASN'T NOTIFIED AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CHEVY WAS WELL AWARE. HAD I KNOWN, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT RIGHT AWAY. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Aug 10, 201164,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO SCREENS COVERING THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. AS A RESULT, A MOUSE ENTERED THE VENTS, CONTAMINATED THE AREA AND CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO BLOW OUT. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED FUNCTIONING IN RESPONSE TO THE BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR AND ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

20 of 59 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200415000Routine
200369010Routine
2002 — this page59030Routine
200183010Routine
2000109000Routine
199949000Routine
199810000Routine
19974000Routine
19967000Routine
19953000Routine
19931000Routine
19921000Routine
19901010Routine

Compare every Tracker year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.