2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 9% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 73,524 miles. The words owners use most often: “rear brake” (10% of reports).
- 77exterior lighting complaints
- 73,524median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear brake: mentioned in 8 of 77 complaints (10%)
- Low beam: mentioned in 5 of 77 complaints (6%)
- Turn signal: mentioned in 5 of 77 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 48 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 77 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 3 a fire.
Chevrolet Trailblazer exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Trailblazer | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2024 Trailblazer | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2021 Trailblazer | 1 | 1% | 50 |
| 2009 Trailblazer | 13 | 48% | 80,800 |
| 2008 Trailblazer | 17 | 9% | 94,736 |
| 2007 Trailblazer | 151 | 21% | 113,936 |
| 2006 Trailblazer | 112 | 10% | 111,000 |
| 2005 Trailblazer | 140 | 10% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Trailblazer | 101 | 9% | 85,000 |
| 2003 Trailblazer | 77 | 9% | 73,524 |
| 2002 Trailblazer | 143 | 12% | 53,100 |
| 2001 Trailblazer | 3 | 15% | 55,000 |
| 2000 Trailblazer | 1 | 4% | 163,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Wire harness coating falling apart almost caught my truck on fire got pictures and it triggers the brake light to stay on
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT DUSK, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED SONS CHEVROLET (3615 MANCHESTER EXPY, COLUMBUS, GA 31909, [redacted]), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving, the contact was pulled over by a state trooper and informed that the rear brake lights were not illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the results were unknown. The vehicle was not…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazers have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 77 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer (9% of the 901 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 73,524 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
The most frequent phrase is “rear brake”, in 8 of 77 complaints, followed by “low beam” (5).
Other 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
See all 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems or exterior lighting problems across all Trailblazer years.