Owners have filed 82 complaints
about the 1999 Chevrolet Tracker with NHTSA between 1999 and 2014.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 57
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Tracker. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 69
13.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 29
17% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1999 compares with every other Chevrolet Tracker
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Frame AND Members
927.3%
Switch
515.2%
Frontal
515.2%
Automatic Transmission
412.1%
AIR Conditioner
39.1%
Front
39.1%
Switch
26.1%
Gasoline
26.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
13.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
310.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
13.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
13.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
517.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
310.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1137.9%
150,000+ miles
413.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 1999peak 7Dec 2014
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA06018Opened 30 Oct 2006Closed 3 Dec 2007SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER CORROSION
IN OCTOBER 2007, GM INITIATED A SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM FOR ALL MY 1999 THROUGH 2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT-BELT STATES.THE PROGRAM EXTENDS THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER CORROSION TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.GM IS ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM IN PHASES DUE TO PART AVAILABILITY.THE FIRST PHASE STARTED IN OCTOBER 2007 AND COVERS THE MY 1999 AND 2000 VEHICLES.OWNERS OF MY 2001 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES WILL RECEIVE LETTERS AT A FUTURE DATE, BUT ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FREE REPAIRS FROM THE PROGRAM IF THE CROSSMEM...
Recalls on the 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19992023,083 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. Vehicles have an inoperative brake lamp activating switch. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and brake lamp activating switch replaced if necessary.
Recall 1999029952 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, improper calibration of the powertrain control module (PCM) could result in a no-start condition in cold weather (-15 degrees centigrade or colder). Correction: Dealers will replace the powertrain control module (PCM), install an engine block heater and a customer instruction label. If the owner has experienced a no-start condition, the spark plugs will also be replaced.
Recall 1998249220 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the coupling that connects the steering column shaft to the intermediate shaft may be cracked. A cracked coupling could break and allow the steering shafts to separate, resulting in loss of steering control. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a crash could occur without prior warning. Correction: Steering shaft coupling will be replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 130,000 milesSarasota, FLCrash
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RUSTED THROUGH FRONT CROSSMEMBER RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10180916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suthur, LACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, AND BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #899309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RIO Rancho, NMCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ANOTHER CAR HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. VEHICLE SPUN AND HIT A LIGHT POLE ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BUMPER. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT IF AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. *JG
NHTSA complaint #894702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa FE, NM1 injured
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SINCE OWNING OUR 1999 CHEVEROLET TRACKER OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR THE THE TRANSMISSION AT LEAST 30 PERCENT OF THE TIME. MY WIFE HAS HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN THE THE TRANSMISSION HAS EITHER LOCKED UP, OR NOT GONE INTO THE PROPER GEAR. ONE INCEDENT GEARS LOCKED UP CAUSING THE TRACKER TO SKID AND SUDDEN STOP, CASUSING A NECK INJURY TO MY WIFE. A SECOND INCEDENT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP SHE SKIDDED SIDEWAYS THROUGH A SCHOOL CROSSING. ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING OUR TRAKCER IN JULY OF LAST YEAR AND AFTER SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS THE DEALER REPLACED PARTS ON THE TRASNMISSION (VEHICHLE WAS OUT NEARLY A MONTH), TWO MONTHS LATER AFTER MORE NEAR ACCIDENTS AND A NEAR LOCK UP AS THE DEALER REPAIR MANAGER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED (VEHICHLE WAS OUT 2 MONTHS), EVEN AFTER THE REPLACMENT OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION VEHICLE WE STILL ENCOUNTERED TRANSMISSION PROBLES. WE TRIED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT ALL WE RECIEVED WAS HEARTACHE AND HEADACHES DUE TO THEIR INTRANSIENCE, BECASUE OF MY WIFES FEAR OF GETTING BACK IN THE VEHICLE IT SAT AT THE DEALER LOT (2MONTHS) WHILE THEY EVALUSATED IT. THEIR CONCLUSTION WAS NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT A CHEVROLET BULLITEN # 00-07-29-001 HAS SHOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ARE STILL EXPERIANCING. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT IT MIGHT TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO ABOTAIN THE PARTS AND REPLACE THEM. YOUR REVIEW OF THESE DEFECTS IS APPRECIATED. HENRY GONZALES
NHTSA complaint #732230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A DOGE RAM PICK UP AT A IMPACT OF 30-35 MPH, AND AIR BAGS DIDNOT DEPOLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #868967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamson, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON THE HIGHWAYAND ANOTHER VEHICLE DIDN'T YIELD AND VEERED INTO HER VEHICLE, AND FORCE HER OFF THE ROAD. THEN SHE WENT INTO A UTILITY POLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK ALSO HORN IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE ON THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #865216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 7,576 milesMillbrae, CA
STEERING
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 CHEVY TRACKER. SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNERSHIP, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING WHEEL BINDING AND IGNITION KEY ISSUES. ALSO, THERE HAS BEEN A SQUEALING NOISE THAT IS LOUD AND CONSTANT. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES WITH THE SAME OLD RECOMMENDATION OF WE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, JUST KEEP DRIVING IT. OR, THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. THE SQUEALING IS LOUDER AND FROM READING OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CHEVY TRACKER, IT SEEMS IS FROM THE PULLEY AND BELT AREA THAT IS CAUSING THE NOISE THAT A DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. ALSO, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT TAKE THE KEY SMOOTHLY. MEANING, ITS HARD TO INSERT AND HARD TO REMOVE WITH OUT FORCE. I HAVE A 2008 HHR THAT WAS ON RECALL DUE TO THIS SAME IGNITION PROBLEM AND THE CYLINDER WAS REPLACE. THE PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE 98,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND DO NOT WANT TO GET HURT OR JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, SO I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE FROM OWNING ONLY CHEVROLETS, THAT YOUR IGNITION CYLINDER PROBLEM DATES WAY BACK, THEN WHAT YOUR WILLING TO ADMIT. SO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, BEFORE YOU HAVE MORE PROBLEMS TO DEAL WITH. MAKE THAT RECALL ON THE OLDER CARS, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM LIKE MINE ARE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10667827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,576 milesMillbrae, CA
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 CHEVY TRACKER. SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNERSHIP, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING WHEEL BINDING AND IGNITION KEY ISSUES. ALSO, THERE HAS BEEN A SQUEALING NOISE THAT IS LOUD AND CONSTANT. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES WITH THE SAME OLD RECOMMENDATION OF WE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, JUST KEEP DRIVING IT. OR, THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. THE SQUEALING IS LOUDER AND FROM READING OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CHEVY TRACKER, IT SEEMS IS FROM THE PULLEY AND BELT AREA THAT IS CAUSING THE NOISE THAT A DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. ALSO, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT TAKE THE KEY SMOOTHLY. MEANING, ITS HARD TO INSERT AND HARD TO REMOVE WITH OUT FORCE. I HAVE A 2008 HHR THAT WAS ON RECALL DUE TO THIS SAME IGNITION PROBLEM AND THE CYLINDER WAS REPLACE. THE PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE 98,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND DO NOT WANT TO GET HURT OR JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, SO I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE FROM OWNING ONLY CHEVROLETS, THAT YOUR IGNITION CYLINDER PROBLEM DATES WAY BACK, THEN WHAT YOUR WILLING TO ADMIT. SO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, BEFORE YOU HAVE MORE PROBLEMS TO DEAL WITH. MAKE THAT RECALL ON THE OLDER CARS, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM LIKE MINE ARE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10667827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,576 milesMillbrae, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 CHEVY TRACKER. SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNERSHIP, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING WHEEL BINDING AND IGNITION KEY ISSUES. ALSO, THERE HAS BEEN A SQUEALING NOISE THAT IS LOUD AND CONSTANT. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES WITH THE SAME OLD RECOMMENDATION OF WE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, JUST KEEP DRIVING IT. OR, THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. THE SQUEALING IS LOUDER AND FROM READING OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CHEVY TRACKER, IT SEEMS IS FROM THE PULLEY AND BELT AREA THAT IS CAUSING THE NOISE THAT A DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. ALSO, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT TAKE THE KEY SMOOTHLY. MEANING, ITS HARD TO INSERT AND HARD TO REMOVE WITH OUT FORCE. I HAVE A 2008 HHR THAT WAS ON RECALL DUE TO THIS SAME IGNITION PROBLEM AND THE CYLINDER WAS REPLACE. THE PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE 98,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND DO NOT WANT TO GET HURT OR JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, SO I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE FROM OWNING ONLY CHEVROLETS, THAT YOUR IGNITION CYLINDER PROBLEM DATES WAY BACK, THEN WHAT YOUR WILLING TO ADMIT. SO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, BEFORE YOU HAVE MORE PROBLEMS TO DEAL WITH. MAKE THAT RECALL ON THE OLDER CARS, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM LIKE MINE ARE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10667827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 157,420 milesFaribault, MN
SEAT BELTS
BOTH OF MY FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE LOCKED UP, MY DRIVER SIDE IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND CAN'T BE USED, THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL WORK AT TIMES BUT NOT ALWAYS. I LOOKED IT UP ON GOOGLE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED MISLABELED SEAT BELTS THAT WERE MEANT FOR THE TWO DOOR TRACKERS INTO THE FOUR DOOR TRACKERS. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS AND THEY DENIED THAT MY PROBLEM WAS CONNECTED, INSTEAD CHALKED IT UP TO A COINCIDENCE AND TOLD ME I COULD GO TO A DEALERSHIP AND GET IT CHECKED OUT BUT THE COST WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET AND THEY SAID SINCE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR BECAUSE THEY ARE NO LONGER LIABLE BECAUSE OF THE EXPIRED WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH A WARRANTY, I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING AROUND ILLEGALLY BECAUSE I CAN'T USE MY SEAT BELT, AND IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT I WOULD LIKELY DIE AS A RESULT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA complaint #10649906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR KEEPS HAVING ITS BATTERY DRAINED AFTER REPAIRS. REPLACED TWO ALTERNATORS AND A CAR COMPUTER. SEEMS TO WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS AFTER GETTING FIXED AND THEN BURNS UP AN ALTERNATOR. THREE TIMES TO THE MECHANIC; CURRENTLY SHOP. PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER NEW BATTERY WAS INSERTED. CAR HAS WORKED GREAT FOR 10 YEARS AND THEN THIS REQUIRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM; BATTERY IS DEAD (THIS WITH A NEW BATTERY).
NHTSA complaint #10451010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 207,000 milesLatham, OH
STEERING
CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND HEART A POP. TRACKER WOULD THEN PULL ROUGHLY TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CROSSMEMBER BROKE WHERE THE INNER SUSPENSION ATTACHES. CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT COVERED ON A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE. FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS THAT COMPLAIN OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON VARIOUS YEARS FOR THE CHEVY TRACKER. THIS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE SINCE I AM QUITE FOND OF MY TRACKER AND RELY ON IT FOR WORK AND TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER MONTHS. I AM GLAD THIS WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE IT CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10442661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 207,000 milesLatham, OH
SUSPENSION
CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND HEART A POP. TRACKER WOULD THEN PULL ROUGHLY TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CROSSMEMBER BROKE WHERE THE INNER SUSPENSION ATTACHES. CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT COVERED ON A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE. FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS THAT COMPLAIN OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON VARIOUS YEARS FOR THE CHEVY TRACKER. THIS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE SINCE I AM QUITE FOND OF MY TRACKER AND RELY ON IT FOR WORK AND TRAVEL WITH MY CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER MONTHS. I AM GLAD THIS WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE IT CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10442661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesParma, OH
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT FRAME CROSSMEMBER RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE AREAS AND HAS MADE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS OR TURNING SHARPLY.
NHTSA complaint #10393898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,500 milesRochdale, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. APPLYING BRAKES CAUSED VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT FRONT CONTROL ARM MOUNT HAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE CROSSMEMBER DUE TO CORROSION. CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD IN CAREFULLY PARSED WORDS THAT ACCORDING TO MY VIN THERE WAS NO COVERAGE OR RECALL DESPITE WHAT I HAVE FOUND ON LIN: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER CORROSION #06186 - (10/17/2007) 1999-2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER.
NHTSA complaint #10364994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,500 milesRochdale, MA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY. APPLYING BRAKES CAUSED VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT FRONT CONTROL ARM MOUNT HAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE CROSSMEMBER DUE TO CORROSION. CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD IN CAREFULLY PARSED WORDS THAT ACCORDING TO MY VIN THERE WAS NO COVERAGE OR RECALL DESPITE WHAT I HAVE FOUND ON LIN: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER CORROSION #06186 - (10/17/2007) 1999-2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER.
NHTSA complaint #10364994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,312 milesHudson, ME
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY MOTHER SAID TO ME THAT HER CAR WAS PULLING TO THE CENTER LINE WHEN SHE PUT HER BRAKES ON. SHE AND I NATURALLY THOUGHT SHE HAD A STUCK CALIPER OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. SHE DROVE IT TO MY HOUSE THE NEXT MORNING, AND SAID IT WAS PULLING BADLY TO THE CENTER LINE. I JACKED UP THE CAR TO FIND THAT THE [SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER] SUBFRAME WHERE IT HOLDS THE FRONT MOUNT FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE CAR, WAS CORRODED AND HAD ACTUALLY BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT WHEEL TO JUST MOVE AROUND MAKING THE CAR PULL HARD TO THE LEFT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 70K MILES ON IT AND IS WELL MAINTAINED IN FACT, IT JUST PASSED VEHICLE INSPECTION THE PREVIOUS MONTH. THIS PART IN MY OPINION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED THIS WAY. HER CAR IS NOW OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP HER IN ANY WAY YOU CAN. SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN TRAGIC. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10360178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesOverland Park, KS
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1999 CHEVY TRACKER FRONT CROSSMEMBER RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL VERY HARD WHEN BRAKING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VIN #'S FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT MINE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I DID DEVELOP THE PROBLEM THOUGH. THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER IS RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE AND IS JUST ABOUT TO BREAK OFF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I REPORTED TO GM AND THEY SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING TO HELP. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE RUST ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE YET THIS PART COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10332460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,957 milesGreenfield, IN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE STEERING HAD STARTED TO FEEL A LITTLE LOOSE REQUIRING A LOT OF CORRECTION WHEN DRIVING, BUT I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS ANYTHING SERIOUS. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED AND AS SOON AS THEY RAISED IT UP ON THE LIFT THEY NOTICED THAT THE "DRIVERS SIDE CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER TO SUSPENSION CORRODED AND RUSTED THROUGH AND THE LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHED". THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS - COULD ALLOW COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING OR IF ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MORE SPEED COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER WAS REPLACED AND ALL NEW BOLTS WERE USED. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED - I WAS LUCKY.
NHTSA complaint #10303431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesCleveland, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1999 CHEVY TRACKER SUB FRAME ROTTED OUT. ON DRIVER SIDE. VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND PULLED VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT. ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED. DID NOT FIND ANY RECALLS. CHEVY SAID THE SELL MANY OF THESE PARTS BUT NO RECALLS FOR PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10291457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,057 milesLexington, SC
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RECENTLY HAD SERVICE BULLETIN #06186, NHTSA # 10023633 PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, REGARDING RUSTED AND CORRODED FRONT CROSSMEMBER. WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME AND WAS INSPECTING THE WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE OIL PAN IS ALSO VERY RUSTED AND CORRODED TO WHERE OIL IS SEEPING THOUGH THE METAL.
NHTSA complaint #10241286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,057 milesLexington, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RECENTLY HAD SERVICE BULLETIN #06186, NHTSA # 10023633 PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, REGARDING RUSTED AND CORRODED FRONT CROSSMEMBER. WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME AND WAS INSPECTING THE WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE OIL PAN IS ALSO VERY RUSTED AND CORRODED TO WHERE OIL IS SEEPING THOUGH THE METAL.
NHTSA complaint #10241286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesLafayette, IN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
'99 CHEVY TRACKER. RUST FROM INSIDE THE METAL TO INNER& OUTER SURFACES. THE DOORS, ROCKERS PANELS & INTO THE FLOOR PLATE, WINDOW FRAMES & DOOR EDGES. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED,3WEKS AGO, BUT LOOKING ALMOST NEW INSIDE & OUT. THERE WAS TO THE EYE ONLY SOME SLIGHTLY BUBBLED PAINT IN 8 SPOTS DECIDE TO GET RIGHT ON IT STARTED TO EMEORY CLOTH IT & FOUND THAT A LITTLE PUSH ,PARTICULARLY THE ROCKER PANELS, WOULD GO COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE INNER SURFACE. BOTH ROCKER PANELS FRONT TO REAR WERE THE SAME. SO I USED MY GRINDER TO CUT THEM OPEN TO SEE HOW FAR I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO GET PAST THE RUST. ONCE I GOT THE PANELS OPEN I COULD SEE THAT THE CORROSION WENT CLEAR INTO THE FLOOR PANELS. I THEN DECIDED 2 HIT THE SPOTS ON THE DOORS FOUND BASICALLY THE SAME THING. THEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOUND OUT G>M> WAS REPAIRING AND REIMBURSING OWNERS FOR IMPROPERLY TREATED TREATING FRAME & CROSS MEMBERS WHICH ARE RUSTING THROUGH. ALSO REPLACING CORRODED HARDWARE EVERYWHERE IT IS FOUND ON THESE VEHICLES FROM '99 TO 2004. THIS BODY RUST SEEMS TO BE THE SAME THING. DANGEROUS? IF THE SERIOUSLY WEAKEND ROCKERS & FLOOR PLATE WERE STRUCK AT EVEN A LOW SPEED I DO NOT DOUBT THAT ANY PERSON IN THIS VEHICLE WOULD SUFFER CRUSH INJURIES. THIS IS REMINISCENT OF THE 70'S & 80'S WHEN GM WAS USING HEAVILY CORRODED METAL TO BUILD VEHICLES. & CREATED UNSAFE & EXPENSIVE CONDITIONS FOR THE CONSUMERS & LOST A GOOD PORTION OF THE CAR MARKET TO FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS. I HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES I CAN SEND YOU. PLEASE ADVISE. SINCERELY DAN CHURCH
NHTSA complaint #10228929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesDouglasville, GA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE AIR CONDITIONER IN HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT WORK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR, CONDENSER, AND THE VACUUM HOWEVER; THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WAS $6,000. SHE WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WAS $700. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE AUGUST 2005. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VEHICLE DATE OF PURCHASE AND DEALER ADDRESS INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10199914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesBristol, VT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
NO ACCIDENT RESULTING. VEHICLE HANDLING AFFECTED AS WELL AS BRAKING, CAR WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FRONT CROSS-MEMBER, RIGHT SIDE, WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS SECURED RUSTED AND BROKE IN 2 PIECES. CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10192064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesMundson, MA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DERIVED FROM CORROSION OF THE CROSS MEMBERS. HE STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION CORRODED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO SWITCH LANES AND VEER OFF THE ROAD AT 40 MPH. HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10188945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSarasota, FLCrash
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RUSTED THROUGH FRONT CROSSMEMBER RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10180916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesSpringfield, GA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
SERPENTINE BELT FRAYED AND BREAKING. DIFFICULT TO KEEP PROPERLY TENSIONED. FOLLOWING ABOUT TWO MONTHS OF THIS PROBLEM THE FACTORY BOLT HOLDING THE MOUNTING FRAME FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR BROKE OFF AT THE ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING THE AC COMPRESSOR TO FALL FROM ITS MOUNT DUE TO THE TOP BOLT HAVING WORKED LOOSE. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE COMPRESSOR BOUNCED AROUND ON THE HOSES FREELY UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE DETERMINED. THIS BOLT BROKE OFF DUE TO THE TOP MOUNTING BOLT BACKING OUT OF THE MOUNT ON THE ENGINE HEAD. NEITHER OF THESE BOLTS NEED TO BE LOOSENED TO ADJUST BELT TENSION AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE OFF OR BACKED OUT. BELT ALIGNMENT AND FRAYING PROBLEM IS LIKELY CAUSED BY THE DEFORMATION OF THE LOWER BOLT PRIOR TO IT BREAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10164533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesSpringfield, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT FRAYED AND BREAKING. DIFFICULT TO KEEP PROPERLY TENSIONED. FOLLOWING ABOUT TWO MONTHS OF THIS PROBLEM THE FACTORY BOLT HOLDING THE MOUNTING FRAME FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR BROKE OFF AT THE ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING THE AC COMPRESSOR TO FALL FROM ITS MOUNT DUE TO THE TOP BOLT HAVING WORKED LOOSE. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE COMPRESSOR BOUNCED AROUND ON THE HOSES FREELY UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE DETERMINED. THIS BOLT BROKE OFF DUE TO THE TOP MOUNTING BOLT BACKING OUT OF THE MOUNT ON THE ENGINE HEAD. NEITHER OF THESE BOLTS NEED TO BE LOOSENED TO ADJUST BELT TENSION AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE OFF OR BACKED OUT. BELT ALIGNMENT AND FRAYING PROBLEM IS LIKELY CAUSED BY THE DEFORMATION OF THE LOWER BOLT PRIOR TO IT BREAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10164533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frostburg, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRING HARNESS IN STEERING COLUMN REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING CAR NEW IN 1999. THIS PAST SUMMER PARKING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. REPLACE RELAY. FALL PARKING LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL ALL LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF. REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AGAIN. 1 MONTH LATER WOKE TO FIND LIGHTS ON AGAIN REPLACED RELAY. 2/4/06 WOKE TO FIND PARKING LIGHTS ON AGAIN. REMOVED RELAY. WALKED BACK INSIDE, LOOKED OUT TO SEE HEADLIGHTS ON. HAD TO UNHOOK BATTERY. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.........MECHANICS AT A LOSS. INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS A GUESS.
NHTSA complaint #10149588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesWashington, DC
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *BF THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10095061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.