2003 Chevrolet Tracker Problems & Complaints

Averageabout as many complaints as a typical year of the Tracker at the same age

Owners have filed 69 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Tracker at the same age. The most reported problem area is the suspension (21 complaints, typically around 128,000 miles).

69complaints
0recalls
20crashes
1fires
20injuries
0deaths

Most common 2003 Chevrolet Tracker problems

  • Suspension~128,000 miles
    2130%
  • Body & structure~120,000 miles
    913%
  • Engine & cooling~74,000 miles
    913%
  • Air bags~45,000 miles
    710%
  • Brakes~49,000 miles
    710%
  • Speed control & acceleration~51,000 miles
    69%
  • Steering~110,000 miles
    69%
  • Seat belts~12,000 miles
    69%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~25,000 miles
    57%
  • Electrical system~90,000 miles
    57%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~75,000 miles
    46%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~6,000 miles
    23%
  • Wheels & tires~100,000 miles
    23%
  • Other / not specified
    23%
  • Lights~240,000 miles
    23%
  • Seats~11,000 miles
    11%
  • A/C & heater~0 miles
    11%
  • Equipment & accessories~0 miles
    11%

Share of the 69 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chevrolet Tracker complaints by model year

199619981999200020012002200320047104910983596915
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Tracker. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Tracker years: 1996, 2004, 1998. Years to avoid: 2000, 2001. Compare all years →

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker:

Front suspension crossmember corrosion

NHTSA investigation EA06018 · opened Oct 30, 2006 · closed Dec 3, 2007

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…

What 2003 Chevrolet Tracker owners say

Suspension all 21 →

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tracker. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the front suspension arm and the cross member fractured. In addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic discovered that the front mount arm had extensive rust and corrosion to the point that the part deteriorated and fractured, including the cross member. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: ea06018 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Updated 12/03/15 updated 11/16/2017

126,000 miles · Jul 2015

I was driving home from work when my car swerved to the right and went of the road and hit a grove of trees head on. My car was totaled and none of my airbags went off. Why does this happen I could have been killed. Also I received a safety notice about my cheverolet Tracker 4 days before this happened having a problem with the front suspension crossmember doe someone have to die before a recall is done and why didn't my air bags go off someone please look at this car before it gets hauled off by the adjuster!!!!! I was airlifted to the hospital the fire department cut the roof of my car off to get me out no airbags what happened!!!

35,000 miles · Jan 2008 · crash · 1 injury

Body & structure

I was driving home all of sudden my car just stalled out no electrical system no steering no brakes. I was driving 35mph when this happened in which put me in a ditch in which my car rolled over.I think it was faulty ignition/electrical system I believe the maker g.m. Is responsible for my car body repair or replacement of car.

Body · 0 miles · Dec 2014 · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tracker. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the front suspension arm and the cross member fractured. In addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic discovered that the front mount arm had extensive rust and corrosion to the point that the part deteriorated and fractured, including the cross member. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: ea06018 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Updated 12/03/15 updated 11/16/2017

Body · 126,000 miles · Jul 2015

Engine & cooling

1. I was driving at approximately 65 MPH for about an hour, with the outside temperature at approximately -10f to -15f. Please note that my vehicle does not have cruise (speed) control. 2. I noticed that the engine was revving on its own, and maxxing out! The accelerator no longer had any effect and the engine was going as fast as it could even with my foot completely off of the accelerator. Braking was ineffective because the engine counteracted any braking attempt. When I moved my gear shift to neutral the tachometer redlined. I left the vehicle in neutral, came to a stop and turned the engine off. A few minutes later I turned the engine on again and it was behaving normally again. I continued my trip, but 30 minutes later the same thing happened again. It does not occur when the weather is warmer (above -10f) 3. …

91,000 miles · Dec 2008

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tracker. The contact stated the check engine light spontaneously illuminated on the instrument panel. Shortly after the warning light illuminated the contact noticed that the vehicle would jerk forward at various speeds. The contact took his vehicle to an independent mechanic where the mechanic stated they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000.

52,000 miles · Feb 2014

2003 Chevrolet Tracker engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automaticRWD20 / 24 / 22
2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manualRWD20 / 24 / 22
2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic4WD/AWD20 / 23 / 21
2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual4WD/AWD20 / 23 / 21
2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automaticRWD17 / 19 / 18
2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic4WD/AWD16 / 19 / 17

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker a good car?

Based on 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Tracker rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Tracker at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker?

The suspension — 21 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rear. Next are the body & structure (9) and engine & cooling (9).

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Tracker?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2004 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000 and 2001. See the full Chevrolet Tracker years comparison.

At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Tracker problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 59,000 miles; 44% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.