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Chevrolet TrackerModel year report

2001 Chevrolet Tracker Problems

Complaints
83filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
72,000miles, 49 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker most often describe a rusted front suspension crossmember that can crack or separate, causing the vehicle to pull or lose steering control, and many reports mention dealers or GM declining coverage once a special-coverage time or mileage limit had passed. Airbags failing to deploy in crashes and timing chain breakage are also recurring themes, and complaints often appear at moderate to high mileage on vehicles driven in states that salt their roads in winter.

  1. Body and structure

    Rusted front crossmember / subframe failure

    • 17 complaints (20%)
    • median 105,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • filed 2006–2017

    Owners report rust-through of the front suspension crossmember and surrounding frame, in some cases cracking or separating so the lower control arm detaches. They describe the vehicle suddenly pulling to one side, shaking or losing steering control, and in several cases shops told them the vehicle should not be driven. Several owners say they were told a special coverage program existed but that it had expired by time or mileage, and that neither the dealer nor the manufacturer offered assistance. Mostly reported on vehicles over 90,000 miles, frequently in states that use road salt in winter.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Have the front crossmember and frame rails inspected from below for flaking rust or cracks before buying, especially on a vehicle from a snowy state, and ask whether any special coverage repair was already performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The car was steering funny and pulling to the left especially when braking. I heard a metal bang noise at one point and made an appointment to have it checked where the mechanic was shocked to find the crossmember subframe fractured which would have certainly lead to a serious accident and I was lucky to have made it to the garage.”

    NHTSA complaint #10248027, filed 2008-11, 97,000 miles

    “We have a 2001 chevy Tracker with the rusted crossmember/subframe that Chevrolet won't repair. I think this is definitely a safety issue. I called chevy reps. And all I got was were sorry but the car is 1200 miles over the limit for repairs. We took ours to our local mechanic for regular maintenance and they found the rusted crossmember and advised us to not drive the vehicle, it was not safe. So now we without a very needed car.”

    NHTSA complaint #10332079, filed 2010-05, 151,200 miles
  2. Air bags

    Airbags not deploying in a crash

    • 10 complaints (12%)
    • median 89,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2014

    Complaints describe frontal and side impacts where the airbags did not deploy, sometimes with the driver striking the steering wheel or dashboard. Owners note no warning light beforehand, and in one report a seat belt also failed to lock. Several mention police reports and injuries, and one complaint references a prior seat belt campaign repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, from tens of thousands to over 100,000 miles.

    What to check: Check that the airbag warning light self-tests at start-up and ask for any records of airbag or seat belt recall work; a scan tool can show stored airbag fault codes.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #10648290, filed 2014-10, 55,000 miles

    “10/29/2009, 2001 Tracker zr2 model, vehicle traveling 50 MPH with a slight right hand turn in road, west bound on hwy 26 far left hand lane. Heard a loud bang, vehicle became uncontrollable, went into right hand spin, crossed three lanes of traffic and hit concrete barricade on far right hand of hwy. Driver was slammed into window and sustained minor injuries, air bags did not deploy. Inspection of vehicle reveals damage to left rear fender, door and both wheels. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10290506, filed 2009-11, 116,000 miles
  3. Engine cooling

    Timing chain breakage and engine stalling

    • 7 complaints (8%)
    • median 82,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2015

    Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving, traced to a broken timing chain or tensioner, with valve damage in some cases. Others report the engine dying when coasting or shifting, and one describes valvetrain or piston noise on cold start. Repairs mentioned include chains, tensioners, gears and valves, and in one case a dealer could not reproduce a stalling complaint. Reported from about 58,000 to 82,000 miles, often during normal driving.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the timing chain and tensioner have been replaced and listen for rattling on cold start; a pre-purchase inspection that checks for stored misfire codes is worthwhile.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “4 years old, 82k miles, and the timing chains (both of them) broke. Mechanic has had the car for a week waiting for a back ordered tensioner, finally got it, and the engine starts but runs very rough - mechanic says he thinks the breaking timing chains damaged the valves. Timing chains aren't supposed to break at 82k miles!!!”

    NHTSA complaint #10136933, filed 2005-09, 82,000 miles

    “1) normal driving in traffic 2)timing chain and and/or tensioner breakage, resulting in immediate power and steering loss, with subsequent damage to valves. 3) timing chain, tensioner, timing gears and valves all had to be replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10086805, filed 2004-08, 58,000 miles
  4. Transmission and drivetrain

    Axle and transmission fluid leaks

    Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report transaxle or rear axle seal leaks, sometimes recurring after replacement, with fluid reaching brake components or the exhaust. One complaint describes the transmission overheating while driving with fluid escaping the filler pipe, and another describes a rear wheel and axle separating. Dealers replaced seals, sometimes under warranty and sometimes not. Reported from very low mileage up to about 65,000 miles.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Look for fluid weeping at the axle and transaxle seals and check the brake feel on the side that may be contaminated; ask whether seals have been replaced more than once.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #10203345, filed 2007-09, 64,605 miles

    “Dt: contact stated on 8-2-05 the wheel on the rear passenger's side fell off. Also, the axle fell off. The contact was pulling into a supe rmarket parking lot when it fell off. Had not hit anything. The road conditionion were good.”

    NHTSA complaint #10131350, filed 2005-08, 30,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on underside rust, especially the front crossmember and frame, matters most on this model year, and it is worth confirming maintenance records for the timing chain, heater core and axle seals given how often these come up in owner reports.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 83 consumer complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker. 49 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,000 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 14 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 251 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (4), Tires (3), Electrical system (2), Other or unknown (2), Fuel system (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “While driving within the city in winter, the windshield suddenly became fogged over and the smell of coolant was noticed inside the vehicle. I was unable to see out the windshield and had to pull over. After parking I noticed a small drip of coolant under the center console. A local independent garage found the heater core to be ruptured. The heater core was replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10310439, filed 2010-02, 84,150 miles

Body and structure: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10651305, filed 2014-10, 72,000 miles

Suspension: “My mechanic advised me that the front suspension cross member is rusted to the point the it will snap off. When I make a right hand turn or go over bumps I can hear cracking noises. Contacted chevy (GM) was advised that I am 4 years too late in contacting them. Asked about the recall, they told me it was a silent recall. And because I live in a state that has snow and ice this contributed to the problem. I advised that is this is the case then every car in this state would have the same problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10734170, filed 2015-07, 130,000 miles

Air bags: “Driver of vehicle while traveling 35 MPH hit a ford f150 that made a u-turn from the right shoulder of the road. Driver did not have time to hit brakes. Airbag did not deploy. Driver was injured.”

NHTSA complaint #10263033, filed 2009-03, 78,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

22% of the 49 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 100,000 miles.

2%0–1010%10–2510%25–5031%50–7518%75–10022%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (49 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 72,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

15’03’06’09’12’15’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Tracker · sedan not rated4 / 4——3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Chevrolet Tracker version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Tracker 2WD Convertible2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202322$3,050
Tracker 2WD Convertible2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202321$3,200
Tracker 2WD Hardtop2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic212422$3,050
Tracker 2WD Hardtop2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202421$3,200
Tracker 4WD Convertible2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202321$3,200
Tracker 4WD Convertible2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202321$3,200
Tracker 4WD Hardtop2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202321$3,200
Tracker 4WD Hardtop2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202321$3,200
Tracker LT 2WD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic171918$3,700
Tracker LT 4WD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic161917$3,950
Tracker ZR2 4WD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic161917$3,950
Tracker ZR2 4WD Convertible2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192321$3,200
Tracker ZR2 4WD Convertible2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202321$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 251 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 251 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Tracker

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20041520,0000—18—Rising
20036955,5000—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20025982,4240—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018372,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200010989,5000—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199949102,0000—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199810—0—22—Not enough data
19967—0———Not enough data

All Chevrolet Tracker model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker?

Owners of the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker most often describe a rusted front suspension crossmember that can crack or separate, causing the vehicle to pull or lose steering control, and many reports mention dealers or GM declining coverage once a special-coverage time or mileage limit had passed. The issues reported most often: Rusted front crossmember / subframe failure; Airbags not deploying in a crash; Timing chain breakage and engine stalling.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker have?

NHTSA recorded 83 consumer complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 15 complaints (18% of the total), followed by body and structure with 15.

Has the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker (Tracker 2WD Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 20 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker reported?

Among the 49 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 100,000 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.