The Chevrolet Tracker spans 1995–2020 with 13 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2000, 2003, 2001 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2016, 2017, 2018. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Chevrolet Tracker is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2020 across multiple generations.
How to read a Chevrolet Tracker VIN — every digit explained
Every Chevrolet Tracker carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Chevrolet and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Tracker.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Tracker, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Tracker have?
The Chevrolet Tracker has 13 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2020. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Chevrolet Tracker
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 15 tracked years, the worst years are 2000, 2003, 2001 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2016, 2017, 2018.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Tracker | Structure | Average | |
| 1996 Tracker | Service Brakes | Average | |
| 1997 Tracker | Air Bags | Average | |
| 1998 Tracker | Engine And Engine Cooling | Average | |
| 1999 Tracker | Structure | Average | |
| 2000 Tracker | Suspension | Avoid | |
| 2001 Tracker | Structure | Avoid | |
| 2002 Tracker | Suspension | Average | |
| 2003 Tracker | Suspension | Avoid | |
| 2004 Tracker | Suspension | Average | |
| 2016 Tracker | — | Best | |
| 2017 Tracker | — | Best | |
| 2018 Tracker | — | Best | |
| 2019 Tracker | — | Average | |
| 2020 Tracker | — | Average |
What are the most common Chevrolet Tracker problems?
The most-reported Chevrolet Tracker problems are Air (2 reports), Other (3 reports) and Seats (4 reports) — out of 482 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Chevrolet Tracker specifications & dimensions
The 1999–2002 Chevrolet Tracker measures 149″ long on a 87″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,723 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Chevrolet Tracker window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2002 | 149″ | 67″ | 67″ | 87″ | 2,723 lb |
| 1996 | 144″ | 64″ | 64″ | 87″ | 2,194 lb |
| 1995 | 143″ | 64″ | 64″ | 87″ | 2,194 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Chevrolet Tracker cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Tracker holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 94 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Chevrolet Tracker tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Chevrolet Tracker get?
The Chevrolet Tracker returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,600/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2004 Chevrolet Tracker (2.5L 6-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $3,450/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $6,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Tracker | 17 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2003 Tracker | 17 | 19 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2002 Tracker | 17 | 19 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2001 Tracker | 17 | 19 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl |
The 2003 Chevrolet Tracker (2L 4-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 404 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Tracker | 20 | 24 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2002 Tracker | 20 | 24 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2001 Tracker | 20 | 23 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2000 Tracker | 22 | 26 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1999 Tracker | 22 | 26 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1998 Tracker | 21 | 24 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Tracker stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this Tracker's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Chevrolet Tracker have? Power & range
The Chevrolet Tracker is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.5L 6-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.5L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Chevrolet Tracker tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Chevrolet Tracker is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Tracker's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Chevrolet Tracker cost to own?
A used Chevrolet Tracker sells for a median of about $3,880 for a 2004 — most listed between $3,300 and $4,499, from 35 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Tracker | $3,300–$4,499 | 8 | |
| 2003 Tracker | $3,500–$4,000 | 4 | |
| 2002 Tracker | $2,500–$5,995 | 6 | |
| 2001 Tracker | $2,999–$5,500 | 11 | |
| 2000 Tracker | $2,000–$6,500 | 3 | |
| 1999 Tracker | $2,000–$5,950 | 3 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Tracker is worth today, or browse used-market prices for SUVs.
A Chevrolet Tracker holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Tracker loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Tracker ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Chevrolet Tracker safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Tracker yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Chevrolet Tracker last?
A well-maintained Chevrolet Tracker typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Chevrolet Tracker’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Tracker’s VIN free →All Chevrolet Tracker model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Chevrolet Tracker — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Tracker | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Tracker | 0 | — | |
| 2018 Tracker | 0 | — | |
| 2017 Tracker | 0 | — | |
| 2016 Tracker | 0 | — | |
| 2004 Tracker | 1 recall | — | |
| 2003 Tracker | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2002 Tracker | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2001 Tracker | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2000 Tracker | 1 recall | — | |
| 1999 Tracker | 1 recall | — | |
| 1998 Tracker | 1 recall | — | |
| 1997 Tracker | 1 recall | — | |
| 1996 Tracker | 1 recall | — | |
| 1995 Tracker | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Tracker?
By owner-complaint volume, 2000, 2003, 2001 drew the most reports. 2016, 2017, 2018 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Tracker have?
13 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2020. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Chevrolet recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Tracker get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Tracker last?
A well-maintained Tracker typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Tracker reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Tracker is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Chevrolet Tracker warranty?
New Chevrolet models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Chevrolet dealer.
Where is the Chevrolet Tracker made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Tracker's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Chevrolet may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Tracker have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.