2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,160
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
33
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
The 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER has received a total of 1,160 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. 33 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (170 complaints), Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel (82 complaints), and Fuel System Gasoline (56 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, potentially affecting up to 4,136,341 vehicles.
Recall 05V198000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
| 286,478 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 04V527000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
| 871,473 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 04V046000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
| 581,394 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V250000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
| 1,707,825 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V075000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 511,167 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V151000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 44,653 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V051000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 130 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 02V222000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 133,221 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
1,160 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Transmission doesn’t 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 didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.
Transmission doesn’t 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 didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.
Transmission doesn’t 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 didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.
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 no light indicating any problems. Been driving it 2HI since with out any problems. Still no service light or anything, but feels like I'm stuck in A4WD. Feels like there is a drag and a pulling to the right. Also using more gas since. It was a scary, afraid to try the 4x4 functions again. Another snow storm is on the way!
WIRE HARNESS COATING FALLING APART ALMOST CAUGHT MY TRUCK ON FIRE GOT PICTURES AND IT TRIGGERS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON
Safety Rating for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
General Motors, LLC has issued 33 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIT4205B — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to install Remote Keyless Entry
PIP4581B — EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an engine rattle that star after the engine was repaired ant the repair required the crankshaft balancer removal and replacement. When the rattle noise is duplicated without the Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp and Service...
030417002 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHINE NOISE FROM REAR AXLE. *TT
060866001 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
REVISED LIFTGATE LOCK CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. *TT
040843005B — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MODULE ASSEMBLIES. *MJ
030523002 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REVISED FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BRACKET MOUNTING BOLT FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATION. *TT
04087 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TAIL LAMP THAT MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE PREMATURELY. *EH
030601028A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INFORMATION ON CORRECT PISTON USAGE. *TT UPDATED *EH
040523003 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
REVISED REAR BRAKE CALIPER BRACKET MOUNTING BOLT FASTENER SPECIFICATION. *EH
00078F — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE KNOCK NOISE INITIAL STARTUP IN COLD AMBIENT 10 DEGREES CENTIGRADE/50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. *TT
Showing 10 of 33 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
- 1999 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 7 complaints
- 2000 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 32 complaints
- 2001 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 29 complaints
- 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 1,573 complaints
- 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (current)
- 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 1,302 complaints
- 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 1,902 complaints
- 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 1,440 complaints
- 2007 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 965 complaints
- 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER — 261 complaints
Other CHEVROLET Models
- CHEVROLET MALIBU — 28,991 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 — 22,175 total complaints
- CHEVROLET IMPALA — 15,197 total complaints
- CHEVROLET TAHOE — 12,511 total complaints
- CHEVROLET EQUINOX — 12,135 total complaints
- CHEVROLET BLAZER — 11,032 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO — 10,928 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 10,375 total complaints