Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
1998 Chevrolet TrackerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Tracker. Most complaints involve power train (3) and engine and engine cooling (2). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
10
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Chevrolet Tracker as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1999 – Feb 2004
- Power train3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Electronic stability control1
- Seat belts1
- Structure1
- Electrical system1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Tires1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
3 reports
“THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER, LOCK-UP SOLENOID HAS FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS AN EMISSIONS/DRIVEABILITY/ECONOMY RELATED COMPONENT. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING VERY POOR MILEAGE AND THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE RUNNING INCREASINGLY POOR AS WELL. DRIVEABILITY SEEMS TO BE SUFFERING. THE DEALER STATES "NOTHING CAN BE DONE." - IS THIS TRUE?*AK”
Engine and engine cooling
2 reports
“MY VEHICLE WAS RUINED BY A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I TOOK IT FOR A SMALL OIL GASKET LEAK AND NOW THE CAR HAS NO POWER AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SAID THE GAS WAS IN THE OIL AND THAT MY VEHICLE BELONGS IN A JUNKYARD. I HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED UPON REQUEST. NLM”
Electronic stability control
1 report
“POOR STABILITY WHILE DRIVING UNDER WINDY CONDITIONS. FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BEING BLOWN OFF THE ROAD AND THAT A CORRECTION COULD LEAD TO AN "OVER-CORRECTION". EVEN A LIGHT WIND (10 KPH) CAUSES THIS FEELING.*AK”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
8 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd · Automatic 3-spd · Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracker 2WD Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 2WD Hardtop Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 4WD Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 4WD Hardtop Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 2WD Convertible Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker 2WD Hardtop Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker 4WD Convertible Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker 4WD Hardtop Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Chevrolet Tracker as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
1998 Tracker questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Tracker have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026.
What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Tracker problems?
Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (3), engine and engine cooling (2), electronic stability control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1998 Chevrolet Tracker get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Chevrolet Tracker at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026