Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Tracker, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 15 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 8% |
| Air bags | 7 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
CORROSION AND RUST PROOFING CAUSING THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS TO CORRODE AND DETACH
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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. RECE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. THERE ARE NO CODES, AND THE MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THIS.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE. WHILE INSPECTING UNDER THE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WH
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 WA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 15 of them (16%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.