Problems · NHTSA complaints
2001 Chevrolet Tracker problems
Owners filed 88 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker with NHTSA between Jun 2001 and Jun 2024. The most-cited component is structure (16).
Complaints
88
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure16
- Engine and engine cooling15
- Steering12
- Suspension12
- Air bags11
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Power train8
- Visibility7
- Equipment5
- Seat belts4
- Tires4
- Wheels4
- Electrical system2
- Child seat1
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, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
15
10
8
6
4
9
6
2
7
1
1
2
5
3
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
16 reports
“MY FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY CORRODED AND CRACKED IN HALF MAKING MY CAR NOT DRIVABLE. I LOCATED THE SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM ONLINE AS THIS APPEARED TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A WOMAN WHO RESIDES IN ASSISTED LIVING AND HAD BEEN IN ASSISTED LIVING SINCE THE SPECIAL COVERAGE NOTICE. AS SHE DID NOT HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE, THIS VEHICLE SAT IN HER GARAGE WITHOUT THE NEEDED REPAIR COVERED BY GM UNTIL HER FAMILY SOLD IT TO ME IN JUNE. AFTER A 90MIN CALL WITH A GM REP 10/20/14, I SPOKE WITH GM SUPVR [XXX] WHO ASSURED ME GM WOULD COVER COST TO TOW TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS COVER THE REPAIR. HE LEFT A VMAIL FOR THE DEALER BUT DID NOT SPECIFY THIS OFFER. I LEFT 5 UNRETURNED VMAILS FOR [XXX] UNTIL I SPOKE WITH SUPVR [XXX] 10/22/14. [XXX] ADV SHE WOULD HAVE HER DIRECT REPORT MAY PLACE A REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION STATING THIS WOULD NEED TO BE APPROVED AND [XXX] SHOULD NOT HAVE PROMISED TO COVER THIS REPAIR. 10/27/14 [XXX] 866-760-5700 [XXX] CALLED AND VERY CURTLY ADVISED THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED AND SARCASTICALLY REMINDED ME OF THE EXPIRATION OF SAID "SPECIAL COVERAGE." I REQUESTED [XXX] SUPERVISOR AND…”
Engine and engine cooling
15 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET TRACKER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, OIL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SMELLED A STRONG OIL ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE COVERS LEAKED OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST AND CAUSED SMOKE TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. UPDATED 03/07/16.*JB”
Steering
12 reports
“INSIDE TIE ROD END DO NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH OUTSIDE TIE ROD ENDS ARE FINE AND IN A SHARP TURN IT CAUSE THE FRONT TO SHAKE VERY BAD I CAN LIFT 300 LB AND IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD TO CONTROL IT FROM ROLLING OVER. MECHANIC SAID I MUSCLED THE METAL IN TO PLACE AND DAMAGE BOTH INSIDE TIE RODS ENDS ONLY. I HAVE NO REPLACED THEM YET NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I IF I HAD NOT BEEN STRONG ENOUGH TO BEND THE MEDAL THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A WRECK. I BEEN KNOW BREAK AND BEND PARTS LIKE THIS BEFORE.”
Suspension
12 reports1 crash
“PASSENGER FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET HAS DETACHED FROM THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER. HAPPENED TODAY MARCH 28TH 2017. VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD AND DRIVEN IN NORTH MISSOURI. DOES HAVE CONSIDERABLE RUST, BUT DIDN'T KNOW THE SUSPENSION MOUNTING POINT WOULD BREAK FREE? I WAS A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY RESIDENCE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND NO INJURIES OCCURRED. IT HAPPENED ON NORTH SIDE DR. IN FORT WORTH,TX. OVERCAST, DRY PAVEMENT ON TRAFFIC. I HIT BUMPS ON RAILROAD CROSSING AND QUITE A FEW POTHOLES.”
Air bags
11 reports10 crashes
“I WAS T BONED, A LADY RAN A STOP SIGN HITTING MY CAR I WAS PASSENGER, BUT IT WAS MY VEHICLE. I NEED UP ON THE DASH BOARD WHEN THE FIREMEN AND EMT GO ON THE SCENE THEY TOLD US TO LEAN THE SEATS ALL THE WAY BACK INCASE THE AIR BAGS LATER DEPLOYED AND THEY NEVER DID! I ENDED UP GETTING 2 BACK SURGERIES DUE TO THAT ACCIDENT ON4/23/07 IN MY 2001 CHEVY TRACKER WHICH THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT ACTIVE AND IT WAS A BAD IMPACT! THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT MADE OF THE ACCIDENT AS WELL. *TR”
Service brakes, hydraulic
9 reports3 crashes
“REAR BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING TRANSAXLE FLUID AND CONTAMINATING THE LEFT REAR BRAKE SHOES. BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT, INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH. LOCAL SERVICE GARAGE REPLACED LEFT AXLE SEALS AND BEARINGS. REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.