2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Trailblazer years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 18 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 8 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 901 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. That ranks 5th out of 18 Trailblazer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (285 complaints, 32%), typically at around 80,000 miles. Complaints mention 68 crashes, 14 fires, 66 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 8 defect investigations involving it.
- 901owner complaints
- 8safety recalls
- 8NHTSA investigations
- 68complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 285 | 32% | 80,000 | “instrument cluster” (14%) | $910 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 114 | 13% | 73,222 | “gas tank” (33%) | $1,800 |
| Power Train problems | 103 | 11% | 71,770 | “transfer case” (11%) | $3,250 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 77 | 9% | 73,524 | “rear brake” (10%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 65 | 7% | 49,890 | “fan clutch” (34%) | $1,100 |
| Visibility problems | 64 | 7% | 64,000 | “windshield wipers” (42%) | $650 |
| Air Bags problems | 57 | 6% | 95,600 | “failed deploy” (23%) | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 55 | 6% | 140,000 | “fuel tank” (42%) | — |
| Structure | 43 | 5% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 33 | 4% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 26 | 3% | 39,384 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 25 | 3% | 48,600 | — | — |
| Equipment | 24 | 3% | 19,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 24 | 3% | 31,614 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 19 | 2% | 36,839 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 2% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 15 | 2% | 147,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 13 | 1% | 63,366 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 1% | 101,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 1% | 149,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 9 | 1% | 45,255 | — | — |
| Seats | 8 | 1% | 117,214 | — | — |
| Wheels | 7 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 1% | 129,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 0% | 150,942 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 0% | 180,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0% | 147,000 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 0% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | 70,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls (8)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Problem: On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) may cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than flashing on the desired side only.
Risk: The driver may not be able to clearly signal their intentions to turn, change travel lanes, or potentially warn others of an impaired vehicle operating condition increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the suspect flasher modules with a new flasher module designed with sealed relays and more durable contact material inside of the relays free of charge. The recall began on august 4, 2005. Isuzu began mailing owner letters on august 4, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, isuzu at 1-800-255-6727, buick at 1-866-608-8080, and oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Exterior lighting:brake lights
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Risk: An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on november 22, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles have windshield wiper systems that will not turn on, cease operation while in use, fail to turn off/on by themselves (moisture sensitive wiper system), or have continuous windshield washer pump operation because the presence of water within the wiper modules can either cause a short circuit or can lead to the corrosion of components within the module.
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will cover the windshield wiper module vent hole with a patch. Also, the wiper motor, circuit board, and electrical connector will be inspected to signs of water intrusion and/or corrosion and be replaced as required. The recall began july 6, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should 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, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process. If the brake pipe partially or fully fractured, brake pedal travel would immediately increase and front brake performance would be reduced.
Risk: If braking performance is reduced, a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-8006.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
Risk: This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Headlights (RQ17002) — opened Apr 24, 2017, closed Mar 29, 2021.
- Fuel pump module leaks gasoline (EA07009) — opened Jul 10, 2007, closed Aug 28, 2008.
- Fuel pump module leaks gasoline (PE07013) — opened Mar 12, 2007, closed Jul 10, 2007.
- Brake lamp failure (EA04021) — opened Aug 3, 2004, closed Nov 4, 2004, led to recall 04V527000.
- Brake lamp failure (PE04032) — opened Apr 6, 2004, closed Aug 3, 2004.
- Windshield wiper failure (EA04002) — opened Jan 6, 2004, closed Feb 10, 2004, led to recall 04V046000.
- Fuel spillage during refueling (PE04001) — opened Jan 5, 2004, closed May 7, 2004.
- Windshield wiper failure (PE03042) — opened Sep 17, 2003, closed Jan 6, 2004.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Transmission doesnât have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didnât inform me of any of…
While driving my Trailblazer in A4WD on slippery road conditions, I went to pulled out of a parking lot and there was a loud sound like my whole front end fell out and the front end completely locked up. Almost causing an accident. I had to dial back to 2HI quickly to unlock to front end. There was…
Wire harness coating falling apart almost caught my truck on fire got pictures and it triggers the brake light to stay on
See attached complaint to general motors. I have additional documents where others have had the same problems with there similar year trailblazers.
It's leaking gas from lines on top of gas tank mechanic check it out i just can't afford it i'm disabled on fixed income raising my grandson
Other Chevrolet Trailblazer years
← 2002 Trailblazer · 2004 Trailblazer →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Trailblazer | 11 | 1 |
| 2025 Trailblazer | 25 | 1 |
| 2024 Trailblazer | 33 | 1 |
| 2023 Trailblazer | 71 | 0 |
| 2022 Trailblazer | 111 | 1 |
| 2021 Trailblazer | 195 | 4 |
| 2014 Trailblazer | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Trailblazer | 27 | 0 |
| 2008 Trailblazer | 193 | 0 |
| 2007 Trailblazer | 732 | 5 |
| 2006 Trailblazer | 1,108 | 8 |
| 2005 Trailblazer | 1,466 | 2 |
| 2004 Trailblazer | 1,081 | 2 |
| 2003 | 901 | 8 |
| 2002 Trailblazer | 1,149 | 12 |
| 2001 Trailblazer | 20 | 0 |
| 2000 Trailblazer | 26 | 0 |
| 1999 Trailblazer | 4 | 0 |
See all Chevrolet Trailblazer problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Owners most often report electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 285 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Trailblazer model years, the 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.