The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
About average · most complaints: airbags
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 GMC Yukon XL 1112003 Mitsubishi Outlander 1052003 Mazda Tribute 156
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Chevy sent dealers 340 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Brake pulsation / vibration, contamination / corrosion between hub and rotor and / or drum and…”?
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 27 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 6K to 45K miles (10K to 72K km) on the car (15 of all 27 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
After 3 or more repair attempts the vehicle was still unstable.
2003 Chevrolet Tracker owner · NHTSA complaint 10051756
More owner reports
While driving 37 mph the vehicle was involved in a head on collision. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The passenger sustained severe whiplash. Please provide additional information.
NHTSA complaint 10097100
I rented a Chevrolet Tracker 2003 and was hit head on by another driver and everyone there notice that the airbag did not open. This was a head on accident. I will be filing this to a lawyer short as I was hurt.
NHTSA complaint 10008283
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 2003 is the same generation.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 340 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Brake pulsation / vibration, contamination / corrosion between hub and rotor and / or drum and…
- Squeal or squeak type noise from the front axle area during cold ambient temperatures
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. 2003 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-tracker/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Chevrolet Tracker reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 94; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Tracker year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2002.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Tracker problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (19%), suspension (11%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker get?
17 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 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 2003 Chevrolet Tracker have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Tracker year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2002 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
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