2000 Chevrolet Tracker: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Suspension · 148,000 miles · OH

While driving on highway had to brake steering wheel violent went left if anyone had of been in other lane I would have hit them head on. I thought the brake caliper was locking up. So I went to part store bought a nw one($92) took it to a garage of a man I knew. He put it on lift to change caliper he noticed control arm complete ly rusted out on cross frame..there was also a hole about 7"long rusted out of frame.bthis wasn't a safety prob. He said not to drive it wads not safe to drive. It was a sunday no one working on sunday. Went back monday. He had to do alot of welding metal plates just to get it home. Home checked on line for a cross member cheapest$300 plus shipping thats not to install it. I have a limited income so cant afford it right now. Chevy has new this prob for a long time according to internet as toyoto did with rusting. Out frames. The frame on this car should have replace by chevy they used poor metal that would be unsafe. Ive seem car frames from way back better than this. I've only had this carfor a week.the body and transmission are excellent but the rest was made cheap. Its a 2000 tracker (148000 mi) 4cyl 2.0 4wheel drive.. I also noticed online the prob was right side of cross member. This prob same in 1999. Chevy wants to delay long enough so they are a cup full of rust. Its sad how crooked people can be just to make a buck. Thank you [xxx]. (don't have access to pictures information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Suspension · 177,554 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet tracker. While driving at approximately 45 MPH and depressing the brakes, the vehicle began to pull to the left abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic advised that there was corrosion found on the front lower control arm bracket and cross member. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the warranty was extended for the front suspension and cross member corrosion but the contacts VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 177,554.

Filed Dec 18, 2010 · Body, Suspension · 100,000 miles · IN

I was backing up down a short lane of 25 feet or less. I heard a loud popping sound. I then pulled out onto a major highway (us-41). I traveled approximately 1 mile, coming upon a stoplight, the light turned red, upon applying my brakes, the vehicle suddenly pulled drastically to the left, at which time the right brakes locked up, the left brakes, did not work at all. I proceeded very cautiously home ( a trip of 15 miles). At which time I took the vehicle to my mechanic, after his evaluation of the vehicle, and a very brief road trip, informed me of "something he has never seen in his 25 years of being a mechanic) the crossmember that supports the upper and lower control arm was rusted thru. This caused the erratic steering, and the loss of ability to control the vehicle during a braking situation.this vehicle does have a recall (06186) but I was never notified! I have owned this vehicle since it was new, if I was notified, I would have definitely had it checked, since it is a vehicle my wife drives during the winter. General motors should notify owners of this vehicle about this problem it is dangerous........no questions.

Filed Aug 5, 2008 · Suspension · 105,450 miles · OH · 1 injury

The lower control arm rotted away from the subframe on my tracker while I was driving. There was a special coverage issued by gm but they are refusing to honor it as it was not a recall and my title is a salvage title. (the care was deemed road safe at the time ohio title was issued by the ohio state highway patrol) special coverage number is 06186. Chevy admits it is due to improper corrosion treatment in that area they will only honor special coverages on salvage vehicles if it is an emission issue not a general safety issue unless of course it is upgraded to a recall.

Filed May 28, 2008 · Suspension · 149,739 miles · NY

2000 chevy tracker rusted right front control arm bracket. Consumer states that there is a hole totally through the crossmember. She also states that the front end assembly was loosened due to this rusting. *kb the consumer was denied reimbursment, because according to cheverolet, the oart that was included in the special coverage was not replaced and also the repair was not made by an authorized chevrolet dealer.

Filed Nov 2, 2007 · Body, Suspension · WI

The front crossmember is horribly rusted. The previous owner(s) looked to have welded extra support to the area that the crossmember attaches to the control arm. I originally thought the previous owner hit something, but upon closer inspection there is no damage as the result of a collision. I just noticed this today, and do not at all feel safe driving anywhere until this is fixed. A 7 year old vehicle should not be rusting frame parts off!!

Filed Sep 26, 2007 · Body, Suspension · 72,000 miles · NJ

2000 chevrolet tracker 4 door SUV. Pass side front cross member rotted out and front control arm dislocated, car would not steer, front wheel on pass. Side turned in while left wheel stayed straight. I strongly disagree with chevrolet's findings that it will not lose control, I was fortunately only going 25 MPH when it happened. This truck is only 7 years old and only has 72,000 miles on it. The rest of the SUV is in mint conditon. This should not have happened. The chevy dealer was unable to help me, as was gm because there is no recall.

Filed Aug 26, 2007 · Body, Suspension · 89,000 miles · NC

The problem "rusted subframe member causing total separation of the control arm bracket from the subframe" the information posted below actually comes from the federal safety agency's defect investigation section, and appears to still be under investigation by the federal safety agency.. After reading the information below..and experiencing the loss of control while trying to stop when the bracket broke loose..I have two comments..1. Does someone have to die before this issue is taken seriously? And 2. If I'm not mistaken..it appears gm has already admitted to the "defect" and suzuki, the manufacturer of the "defective" part has already made "design changes" is this not enough of an admission of the problem to force a recall???? The federal safety agency action number: pe06021 summary: on september 15th, 2006 general motors (gm) submitted information regarding approximately 128,000 model year (my) 1999 -2001 chevrolet tracker vehicles. According to gm, these vehicles were manufactured with front crossmembers designed and made by suzuki that can rust from the inside out because of insufficient corrosion protection. The design of the crossmember limited the coverage of paint on the interior surfaces during the painting process. In march 2006 suzuki made design changes to the crossmember to enhance the coverage of paint to the inside of the part. Gm indicated that when operated in areas of the country that use road salt for de-icing, over time water and salt/mud can accumulate inside the crossmember and cause crevice corrosion that can lead to perforation. These perforations at the front control arm brackets can cause the front suspension to become partially detached from the vehicle.

Filed Jan 11, 2007 · Suspension · 78,981 miles · IN

Car began to shake violently @ 35 MPH. Control arm mounting bracket had separated from front cross-member. Front cross-member had progressive corrosion specifically at the control arm bracket location. Replaced with a new front cross-member. Digital photos available of part with separation while on vehicle.

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Body · 78,981 miles · IN

2000 chevy tracker front crossmember catastrophic failure due to premature corrosion. Vehicle shook violently due to front control arm mounting bracket separating from front crossmember. Had just exited a 55 MPH highway onto a 30 MPH side road and I was able to stop the vehicle without any further damage. I have since found another 2000 chevy tracker with exactly the same issue.

Filed Apr 4, 2006 · Body · 102,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while having an annual inspection,the independent repair shop determined the front cross member rusted through on the passenger's side were the lower control arm bolts in. The cross member were replaced at contact's expense, costing her over $400.00. A recall should be insituted. The contact insituted a complained with new york state attorney general.

Filed Aug 23, 2005 · Body, Suspension · 92,000 miles · MI

Dt: the front cross member control arm mount rusted , and it broke loose while the consumer was driving. It did not cause an accident. There had been front end noises, and the consumer took vehicle to the dealer. They replaced the left front stabilizer link. The part that broke loose was on the right side. The vehicle was currently at the dealership being repaired. *ak updated12/27/05.