The Lemon Index
200120032nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: brakes
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Honda Passport2002 GMC Yukon XL 732002 Mazda Tribute 449
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 315 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “A tick type noise coming from the engine while the engine is running during cold or hot operation”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 23 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 49K miles (6K to 79K km) on the car (8 of all 23 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Consumer smelled a loud odor coming from exhaust fan that smelled like a boiled egg. She had taken vehicle to the dealer 3 times. Presently, dealer claimed could not fix it. They did not know where smell was coming from.
2002 Chevrolet Tracker owner · NHTSA complaint 8004700
More owner reports
While driving 55 mph vehicle caught on fire . The dealer stated the oil filter malfunctioned, causing oil to leak onto the motor and transmission. No injuries reported.
NHTSA complaint 10094659
While driving the vehicle in raining day, aplied the brake and took longer to stop, consumer states rotor are expose to the weather and got wet. Dealer has been notified. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 8019987
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 2.1M views · 1999–2004 Chevrolet Tracker
- Heat, A/C & blend door85K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2001 Chevrolet Tracker | AQ1056Filterheads · 75K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank58K views
2000 Chevy Tracker (Suzuki Vitara) Fuel Pump; easy way to get to and changeChristian Pritchett · 40K views · 4 videos - Brakes & ABS52K views
2003 Chevy Tracker Rear Brakes (Shoes) and Brake line ReplacementTheDestructve · 52K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition51K views
2000 Chevy Tracker Camshaft Sensor No Start Once Hot Stalling Sputtering Fixgeostomp · 51K views
Show 3 more
- Cooling system43K views
How to: Replace a Drive belt, Water Pump and Thermostat 2002 Chevrolet Chevy Tracker ZR2 (3-in-1)How2Helen · 31K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service32K views
2001 Chevy Tracker 2.5L V6 Oil Changecdogg · 11K views · 6 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors23K views
2000 Chevy tracker stalling/camshaft position sensor replacementChris Straus · 23K views
Before you buy, watch
2004 Chevrolet Tracker ZR-2: Regular Car ReviewsRegular Car Reviews · 206K views
2002 Chevrolet Tracker 4WD - 4Cyl. - 5 Speed Trans. - 4 Wheel Drive - 205K - SOLD - Malibu MotorsMalibu Motors Victoria · 41K views
2002 Chevy Tracker 4x4 V6 Review!!!Motor Mike Media · 31K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2002 is the same generation.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 315 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A tick type noise coming from the engine while the engine is running during cold or hot operation
- 2.0l l34 engine accessory belt squeal
- Engine accessory belt squeal
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedFront suspension crossmember corrosion2006–2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Tracker year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (1999–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chevrolet Tracker years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-tracker/?y=2002" title="Chevrolet Tracker reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-tracker/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Chevrolet Tracker reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Tracker problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (22%), engine (22%) and suspension (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker get?
17 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Chevrolet Tracker year than the 2002?
Not nearby: the 2002 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Chevrolet Tracker years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works