The Chevrolet SSR spans 2003–2006 with 4 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2003, 2005, 2004 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2006, 2004, 2005. It delivers up to 16 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Chevrolet SSR is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2003 to 2006 across multiple generations.
How to read a Chevrolet SSR VIN — every digit explained
Every Chevrolet SSR carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Chevrolet and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this SSR.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your SSR, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet SSR have?
The Chevrolet SSR has 4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2003–2006. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2006 Chevrolet SSR recalls 1
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
Risk. A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
Best and worst years for the Chevrolet SSR
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 2003, 2005, 2004 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2006, 2004, 2005.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 SSR | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2004 SSR | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2005 SSR | Latches/locks/linkages | Avoid | |
| 2006 SSR | Electrical System | Best |
What are the most common Chevrolet SSR problems?
The most-reported Chevrolet SSR problems are Other (2 reports), Seats (1 reports) and Tires (3 reports) — out of 101 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Chevrolet SSR specifications & dimensions
The 2003–2006 Chevrolet SSR measures 192″ long on a 116″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,760 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Chevrolet SSR window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2006 | 192″ | 78″ | 64″ | 116″ | 4,956 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Chevrolet SSR cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the SSR holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Chevrolet SSR tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Chevrolet SSR get?
The Chevrolet SSR returns up to 16 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,900/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2006 Chevrolet SSR (6L 8-cyl) gets 15 mpg combined and costs about $5,150/yr to fuel, emitting 592 g/mi CO₂ — about $14,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 SSR | 14 | 18 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 6L 8-cyl | |
| 2005 SSR | 14 | 18 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 6L 8-cyl | |
| 2004 SSR | 14 | 18 | $3,900 | 555 | 1/10 | 5.3L 8-cyl | |
| 2003 SSR | 14 | 18 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 5.3L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the SSR stacks up against the most fuel-efficient trucks, or calculate this SSR's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Chevrolet SSR have? Power & range
The Chevrolet SSR is offered with 1 powertrain — 6L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 6.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Chevrolet SSR tow? Towing & payload
As a pickup, the Chevrolet SSR is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package, on a curb weight near 4,760 lb.
What sets your SSR's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Chevrolet SSR cost to own?
A used Chevrolet SSR sells for a median of about $22,000 for a 2005 — most listed between $14,000 and $39,995, from 40 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 SSR | $14,000–$39,995 | 4 | |
| 2004 SSR | $10,995–$25,500 | 19 | |
| 2003 SSR | $14,999–$26,000 | 17 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a SSR is worth today, or browse used-market prices for trucks.
A Chevrolet SSR holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this SSR loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $19,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the SSR ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Chevrolet SSR to insure?
A Chevrolet SSR costs about $1,122 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 22% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (78, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the SSR's HLDI loss index. See Chevrolet insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Chevrolet SSR safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the SSR yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Chevrolet SSR last?
A well-maintained Chevrolet SSR typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Chevrolet SSR’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this SSR’s VIN free →All Chevrolet SSR model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Chevrolet SSR — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 SSR | 1 recall | — | |
| 2005 SSR | 1 recall | — | |
| 2004 SSR | 1 recall | — | |
| 2003 SSR | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the SSR?
By owner-complaint volume, 2003, 2005, 2004 drew the most reports. 2006, 2004, 2005 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the SSR have?
4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2003–2006. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Chevrolet recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the SSR get?
Up to 16 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a SSR last?
A well-maintained SSR typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the SSR reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the SSR is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Chevrolet SSR warranty?
New Chevrolet models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Chevrolet dealer.
Where is the Chevrolet SSR made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your SSR's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Chevrolet may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a SSR weigh?
The SSR's curb weight is around 4,760 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the SSR have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.