2003 Chevrolet SSR Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 2,525miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Chevrolet SSR (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet SSR. The part named most often is body and structure, with 7 complaints (70% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and latches, locks and linkages (1). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 2,525 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 370 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 68 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure7 70%
- Electrical system2 20%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “While standing next to the hood the hood dropped down from the open position. This could have LED to serious injury if I had been leaning into the engine compartment. The hood prop on 2003 Chevrolet SSR is not sufficient to hold the weight of the hood. The 2005 SSR's have a completely different design. Gm refuses to acknowledge the problem. I have notified my dealer and he says there is no fix for the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10086595, filed 2004-08, 2,525 milesElectrical system: “Was traveling on highway at 60mph, engine cut out and lost all power. Had to coast to shoulder in traffic creating dangerous situation. Diagnosed as faulty ignition switch.”
NHTSA complaint #10569253, filed 2014-03, 4,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “The front hood prop on the 2003 Chevrolet SSR is very inadequate for its purpose and represents a potential danger - especially since the hood is so heavy.”
NHTSA complaint #10086522, filed 2004-08Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,900 and 4,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Chevrolet SSR version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSR Pickup 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Chevrolet SSR in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 370 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11007744Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007743Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11008906Aug 19, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging…
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024Engine, Fuel system. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
Other model years of the Chevrolet SSR
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 | 35,000 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 31 | 12,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 28 | 15,320 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 10 | 2,525 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Chevrolet SSR have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet SSR as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Chevrolet SSR is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 7 complaints (70% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 2003 Chevrolet SSR been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet SSR get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Chevrolet SSR (SSR Pickup 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Chevrolet SSR reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 2,525 miles and the middle half falls between 1,900 and 4,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.