Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 7 | 10% |
| Visibility | 6 | 8% |
| Air bags | 5 | 7% |
| Suspension | 5 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 6% |
| Suspension | 3 | 4% |
| Power train | 3 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The safety airbags exploded and burning my face and the passenger side passenger it was very hard and his arm and the of explosion of the airbags she was spraying and burning the face and was
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: AFFINITY TOURING, TIRE SIZE: 205/65/R15, DOT NUMBER: 2R9LDBF. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FRONT END SWERVED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO S
NHTSA complaint: Structure
REAR BRAKES KEEP FAILING, THEY FAILED YESTERDAY FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ABOUT 8,000 MILES. THEY ALSO DISCONTINUED A PART FOR THE REAR BRAKES. CANNOT FIND THE PART ANYWHERE. WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
AFTER A COLLISION WHERE MY TRACKER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AROUND 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE HIT DEAD ON TO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER (T-BONE) AND MY SENSOR SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED MY AIRBAGS AND DID NOT.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY MOTHER AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR JUST LUNGED FORWARD SHARPLY AND MADE US SWERVE A LITTLE. I PULLED OVER AND SEEN THAT THE CAR WAS SITTING "OFF" A LITTLE. WE TOWED IT HOME AND MY S
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE O2 SENSORS EVERY 2 YEARS AS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2004 (12 YEARS) SO I'VE REPLACE THE O2 SENSORS ( ALL 3) 6 TIMES. HAS THIS HAPPENED OR BEEN REPORTED BY ANY OTHER OW
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER FOR CHEVY TRACKERIS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION AND THE GARAGE SAID THERE MUST HAVE NOT BEEN A COATING PUT ON IT FOR IT TO BE RUSTED THROUGH AND FALLING APART.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 7 of them (10%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.