2003 Chevrolet Tracker

Routine

Owners filed 69 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

50 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension12
000
Air Bags4
304
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields3
000
Structure › Body3
202
Seat Belts3
202
Engine3
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables2
101
Vehicle Speed Control2
202
Unknown or Other2
111
Suspension › Rear2
201

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Sep 23, 2021WV

CORROSION AND RUST PROOFING CAUSING THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS TO CORRODE AND DETACH

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 201911,300 milesDE

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!!!

Air Bags
Filed Oct 22, 2019200,000 milesFL

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.

Suspension
Filed May 28, 2018IN

FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER RUSTED THROUGH

Suspension
Filed Apr 10, 2018135,000 milesOH

FEONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE.

Power Train
Filed Mar 13, 201750,000 milesIL

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.

Suspension
Filed Jan 13, 2017162,000 milesPA

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 VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE A-ARM SUSPENSION FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Structure › BodyCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 2, 201650 milesIL

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

Suspension
Filed Nov 24, 201584,000 milesOK

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 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 14, 2015126,000 milesMA

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*LJ UPDATED 11/16/2017*CN

Suspension
Filed Feb 23, 2015140,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS SEVERELY CORRODED CAUSING THE FRONT LOWER FRAME TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. ...UPDATED 04/08/15 UPDATED 04/14/15

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jan 3, 201582 milesFL

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. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Dec 27, 2014110,000 milesPA

THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER OF MY 2003 TRACKER RUSTED AWAY AND KNOW IS UNDRIVEABLE. GUESS IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROMBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR

Suspension
Filed Sep 22, 2014127,941 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,941.

Engine
Filed Jun 30, 201473,881 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE OIL AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,881.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 11, 2014240,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSES IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

Suspension
Filed May 26, 2014120,193 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO VIOLENT SHAKE AT ABOUT FORTY FIVE MILES HR SO I PULL OVER MY TRACKER OVER SAW NOT PROBLEM SO I DROP MY SPD AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME WITH MIN SHAKING AND THE NEXT DAY I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK IT AND WAS TOLD THE WHOLE FRONT CROSSMEMBER BAR HAD RUST AWAY. I LOOK UP THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND A EXTENDED WARRANTY OR AS BEEN CALLED A "SILENT RECALL." ON THIS PART,BUT IT HAS EXPIRED THE PROBLEM IS I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS NOW EXPIRE WARRANTY. I CALLED CHEVY HELPLINE EXPANDED IT TO THEM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY SENT LETTER TO THE DEALER I SHOULD CONTACT THEM AND I DID AND THEY HAD ME BRING MY CAR IN TO THEM AND INFORMED I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ABOUT THE WARRANTY THEY TOLD THEY DID NOT SEND LETTER OUT THAT IF I BOUGHT IN FOR SERVICE THEY WOULD HAVE NOTICE THE RUST AND I NOW HAVE 2 OPTION ONE MY CAR IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE AND THEY COULD REPLACE THE FRONT END FOR 1500 IF THEY COULD GET THE PARTS,BUT THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT OR OPTION 2 THEY JUNK IT FOR 500 WHICH I THOUGH WAS STRANGE SINCE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS IN OTHERWISE GOOD SHAPE. THEY ALSO INFORM MY WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND NOW IT SITS IN MY DRIVE AS USE TO ME AS A BOAT ANCHOR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 201490,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank AssemblyCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 8, 2014MN

CPSC:I1430188A. 2003 CHEVROLET TRACKER. CONSUMER STATED HE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH HE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. WHEN THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED IT RUPTURED THE GAS TANK. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HIT HIM AT FULL SPEED. THE COLLISION PUSHED HIM 30 FEET ACROSS THE INTERSECTION INTO A MEDIAN SIGN. THERE WAS A TRAIL OF IGNITED GAS FROM THE POINT OF IMPACT TO WHERE HE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, WITH NO SALVAGEABLE PART ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *JB

Engine
Filed Apr 1, 201452,000 milesNY

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.

20 of 69 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200415000Routine
2003 — this page69010Routine
200259030Routine
200183010Routine
2000109000Routine
199949000Routine
199810000Routine
19974000Routine
19967000Routine
19953000Routine
19931000Routine
19921000Routine
19901010Routine

Compare every Tracker year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.