The 2000 draws 2.66 complaints per run and the 2002 1.39, a 1.9-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 66.6% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Suspension, with 86 complaints, typically at 8.1 years.
Chevrolet Tracker years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 12 | 11 | yes | |
| 2003 | 57 | 40 | yes | |
| 2002 | 46 | 33 | yes | |
| 2001 | 66 | 37 | yes | |
| 2000 | 93 | 35 | yes | |
| 1999 | 41 | 27 | yes | |
| 1998 | 8 | 7 | yes | |
| 1996 | 5 | 5 | yes |
Among the 4 Chevrolet Tracker years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2000, 2001, 2003; the three worth hunting are 2002, 2003, 2001.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 11.7% | covered | |
| 1 year | 24.5% | covered | |
| 2 years | 33.4% | covered | |
| 3 years | 39% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 47.2% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 53.8% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 60% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 67.2% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 70.7% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 75.5% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 83.1% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 90% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 94.5% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 95.9% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 97.9% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 33.4% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 66.6% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 19% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Chevrolet Tracker, the early trouble is Power Train and Hydraulic — reported at around 2.6 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Suspension at 8.1 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8.1 yrs | 6 | — | |
| Structure | 8.5 yrs | 5 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 4.7 yrs | 9 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4.2 yrs | — | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 4.4 yrs | 30 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 2.6 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Steering | 6.9 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2.8 yrs | 6 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Tracker's vehicle class. Per production run, the Subaru Outback draws 3.64, the Toyota Land Cruiser 1.49 and the Subaru Forester 3.35, against 1.69 for the Tracker.
| Same class as the Tracker | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 159 | 2005–2026 | |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 85 | 1981–2026 | |
| Subaru Forester | 121 | 1998–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | 57 | 2002–2026 | |
| Honda Element | 100 | 2003–2011 | |
| Jeep Liberty | 80 | 1993–2013 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet Tracker reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.69 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Tracker years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2000, 2001, 2003. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2002, 2003, 2001. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Tracker problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Suspension, typically at 8.1 years, followed by Structure.
Will the warranty cover Tracker problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 33.4% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 19% of the complaints here.
Is the Tracker more reliable than the Subaru Outback?
Yes: 1.69 complaints per production run for the Tracker against 3.64 for the Subaru Outback.
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