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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Chevrolet TrackerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker. Most complaints involve suspension (22) and electrical system (14). The EPA rates it 17–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–22mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
96
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

96 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2003 – Sep 2021
  1. Suspension22
  2. Electrical system14
  3. Structure10
  4. Air bags9
  5. Steering8
  6. Seat belts7
  7. Engine and engine cooling7
  8. Power train6
  9. Vehicle speed control6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tracker model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199810
199949
2000109
200188
200272
200396
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

22 reports3 crashes
“VEHICLE HAS A KNOWN AND SERIOUS SAFETY MANUFACTURING DEFECT PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER A "SPECIAL COVERAGE - #06186" FOR CORROSION AND RUST PROOFING CAUSING THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS CORRODE AND DETACH. GM REFUSES TO HONOR PREVIOUSLY EXPIRED SPECIAL COVERAGE AND CONSIDERS THIS AN "OUT OF POCKET" EXPENSE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2017Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 10960362

Electrical system

14 reports
“FUSES AND BRAKERS KEEP POPPING/BLOWING ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. WHEN POPPED THE VEHICLE LOSES THE ABILITY FOR THE BRAKES TO ILLUMINATE BRIGHTER WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO USE THE HORN. RECENTLY I HAD A DIFFERENT FUSE POP THAT CUT ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS AFFECTING SOME ON THE OUTSIDE. THE FOLLOWING FAILED. THE BREAK LIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE WHEN TURNED ON OR WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BREAK, EMERGENCY FLASHERS DID NOT WORK, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTING FAILED, DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK, WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR THE LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN ON INSIDE OF THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED I HAD TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE SHIFTER BY GOING UNDERNEATH OF THE SHIFTER AND RELEASING THE LOCK WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK AND THEN MOVE THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL AT THE SAME TIME TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THESE HAVE BEEN RECURRING ISSUES WITH REGULAR SHOP MATNEINCE THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 135000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY. IT HAS PLENTY OF LIFE IN IT AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THESE CONTINUED ISSUES. HELP!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11270495

Structure

10 reports2 crashes
“I HAD A SEVER CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG NEVER OPEN AND PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES GOT LOCK AFTER WE WERE HIT ON THE REAR OF THE TRACKER. AND LAST CONTROL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2016Seat belts, Structure, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 10892693
All 2003 Tracker problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tracker 2WD Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202422$2,900404
Tracker 2WD Convertible
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202422$2,900404
Tracker 2WD Hardtop
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202422$2,900404
Tracker 2WD Hardtop
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202422$2,900404
Tracker 4WD Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
Tracker 4WD Convertible
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
Tracker 4WD Hardtop
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
Tracker 4WD Hardtop
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
Tracker 2WD Hardtop
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
171918$3,550494
Tracker LT 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
171918$3,550494
Tracker 4WD Hardtop
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
161917$3,800523
Tracker LT 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
161917$3,800523
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 4938Vehicle 4937
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Tracker questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026.

What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Tracker problems?

Owners filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (22), electrical system (14), structure (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker at 17–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026