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CarComplaints.com Notes: Carrying the not-so-proud traditions of its 2002 predecessor, the 2003 has a handful of instrument panel malfunctions that can leave you guessing your speed, engine temperature or how much gas is left in the tank.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,551 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #110

Jul 012011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 113,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tachometer quit working first, then speedometer. This is an obvious safety concern. Dealership previously indicated it will cost about $1,000 to fix. There are a lot of complaints but there is no bulletin or recall on this so GM refuses to do anything. A speedometer should no go out on a car, no matter how many miles and if it is not an isolated instance, there needs to be a recall. Why is there a recall on other GM models but not the Trailblazer?

- Fergus Falls, MN, USA

problem #109

Aug 012010

Trailblazer

  • 150,000 miles
The gauge cluster on my 2003 Chevy Trailblazer stopped working over two years ago. From the readout upon my dashboard gauges, I have no idea at what speed I'm driving, how much fuel is in my tank, what is the electrical supply from my battery, or the engine's oil pressure. The tachometer does not register prm's. thankfully I use a tomtom gps to gauge my speed, and the odometer does function, so I know to stop for a fuel refill every 250-300 miles traveled. This will usually place me at between 1/4 tank and empty.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #108

May 232012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Speedometer does not give true speed sometimes and sometimes it will be right, sometimes speedometer will be at 50 mph when the vehicle is not moving. Turning. Switch off and on. Speedometer needle will go back to zero. Techometer dose not work sometimes. Have cheked on line complaints about this problem there are alot of complaints with the same problem. There should be a recall on all these vehicles.

- Mt. Airy, NC, USA

problem #107

Oct 132011

Trailblazer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cpsc#I11A0455A. 2003, 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer stated he has electrical problems with burned connections at headlights and blower motor resistors. The consumer stated one of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazers head light connectors burned, the other 2003 and 2005, the connector for the ac blower resistor burned.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #106

Jun 012011

Trailblazer

  • miles
Was previously contacted by an "[xxx]" from Washington, DC to retrieve the power window module that had caught fire. I was going to turn the part over to NHTSA. I am in DC at the us postal service hq on mon/wed/th. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Haymarket, VA, USA

problem #105

Dec 302011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 151,883 miles
I had gone to a friends house with my boyfriend and our 10month old daughter the car was working great on 12-31-11 at around 5pm we parked the vehicle. On our way home at about 10:45pm we got on the road car drove fine we jumped on the fwy it was foggy and really hard to see we were on the 54 fwy in san diego approaching the 805 South there is a high on ramp we were going about 55 to 60 and all of a sudden I pushed on gas and lost all power to vehicle it sounded like I was in neutral and because it was up hill and curved very difficult to see us with just hazard lights on. I was praying thinking someone was going to take us out. Every car would swerving around us and honking we finally pulled over to the side of the fwy off of the ramp and turned off car turned it back on and it gave us enough power to get to the street exit. Once there again did the same and at that point we parked and left car on the side of the road after calling a friend to pick us up since we didn't want our baby out on the street that late and on new years. I have also had several other problems ac only works on 5 back passenger panel makes clicking noise when on and back ac works when it wants to. Also RPM gauge doesn't function, car alarm is very faint when place on. I have 3 other children and 1 car and now don't know what to do since we depend on the car. We have had small problems with this car and about 5 to 6 months ago my car engine started knocking and had to be replaced however ac already wasn't working and neither was the RPM gauge. When we replaced the engine the car ran great had a lot of power and everything. This was the worst experience of my life and I thought we were going to die.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #104

May 312011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am the original owner of a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. When I first purchased the vehicle in the month of October/2002, I didn't experience any problems until maybe the fourth year, going on its 5th; right before the warranty was about to expire. The first problem I encountered with the vehicle was the transmission. It didn't want to change gears properly. Because of the 5 year warranty, the dealership was able to fix that problem, at that time. Today, I continue to experience transmission problems: With a loud noise, a struggle in horse power and a vibration when I am at a complete stop. I have spent so much money on other electrical parts as well. I have purchased over ten light bulbs for rear brake lights that continue to malfunction. I recently replaced a relay because the head lights would constantly go out after the vehicle was turned on. I replaced the fan clutch and water pump because they both went out. I also replaced a battery and two starters. For the past few months, my vehicle smells like fuel everytime I turn it on. I am asking that your department look into all of these claims. It appears that almost everyone that owes a 2003 Trailblazer has been experiencing the same issues, but yet; no one is doing enough to protect all those consumers who have been grateful to this country in purchasing american made vehicles. A sincere thanks.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #103

Dec 022011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
I have bought many Chevy vehicles but with all the problems im having with this truck im not sure I will purchase another. Last year my transmission was giving me problems and there was a recall on it and my truck was not covered under the recall also same was with the tail lights. This year I am having problems with my wipers during rain storm I went to turn them on and nothing. I couldnt see so I had to pull over until the rain had let up(2hrs later). I am just speechless when it comes to these "recalls". it seems that myself nor anyone I know ever falls on these lists, you would think with all the money we are paying to purchase these vehicles that someone would want to make sure they keeep our business.

- Lincoln Park, MI, USA

problem #102

Nov 072011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
Panel cluster failed with red blaring emergency light stays on and causes vehicle lights to stay on. Also causes vehicle not to shift properly. All dashboard component indicator fails which hazardous to safety of individual.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #101

Feb 012010

Trailblazer

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel was inoperable and he was unable to determine how fast or slow he was traveling or how many miles were on the vehicle. The dealer did not offer any assistance since there was no recall. The manufacturer had not been notified nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 122,000. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #100

Oct 152011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 126,604 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After exiting a freeway at 70 mph, came up on a redlight and 45 mph zone. Stopped at the redlight and the noticed the speedometer was still registering 70 mph. The gauge moves but won't set to 0 mph when stopped. Remains at or around 70 mph when parked or stopped.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #99

Oct 122011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 120,542 miles
Speedometer stopped working. After vehicle was turned off it started working again. Researched internet and I found the this is a known problem with this vehicle. After talking to someone about it and they have a 2003 Tahoe they have the same problem. If chevorlet is aware of this problem something should be done about it. We spend alot of money on vehicles and this should not happen. I don't feel this is a wear and tear issue.

- Mt Airy, MD, USA

problem #98

Oct 282010

Trailblazer

  • 144,000 miles
The speedometer in my 2003 Trailblazer rarely reads correctly. I am not able to tell how fast or slow I am going. This is the only gauge that is not functioning properly, the other gauges work fine. I feel this is a safely issue and should somehow be covered by a recall because so many people have issues stated across the internet with this same problem.

- Mt.Sterling, KY, USA

problem #97

Oct 012007

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was defective, causing all the gauges to read inaccurately. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle would need a new instrument cluster. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 113,000.

- Loris, SC, USA

problem #96

Jul 152011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
My 2003 Chevy Trailblazer does not start. There is no specific time, place, or event that leads to the vehicle not starting every couple of weeks the vehicle just doesn't start. I will let the truck sit for an hour or so then attempt to start it, then it does start. I have taken it to the dealer and they couldn't duplicate the issue I was having. I did some research online and others have suggested it could be the battery, temperature sensor, ignition switch, or starter. I have replaced all but the starter but the problem persists. I have been told that the starter is good so I am at a loss as to why the problem keeps occurring.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #95

Jun 062011

Trailblazer

  • 89,000 miles
When starting the vehicle, it periodically will not start, lose all power, key gets stuck in the ignition without ability to return ignition to off position. There is a sound (like a high voltage sound coming from a transformer) and eventually resets itself, until 2 days ago. It would not reset itself, resulting in it being towed to a repair center. They indicated it was the alternator and battery and after changing both, the service engine soon light came back on and the high voltage sound has returned. There are times the rear wiper will turn on without my touching anything and times where the RPM gage will get stuck.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #94

Jan 102011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Front headlights will not work, and are wires are burnt, air and heater will only blow on the floor setting even if put on a different setting, when you turn ac on the back windshield wiper comes on. When starting the car there is a loud clicking that sounds like it is coming from the dash. If stopped just for a few seconds while at a stop light or stop sign the temp will go from normal to 260! as long as you are going at least fast enough to push air through the grill it won't run hot, but if you are in town and traffic it will run hot and will not cool off unless you either stop and let it cool off or get to where you can go fast enough to push the air! the car will lock while it is running and in park. It will lock and the keyless remote will not open it. There have been times I have pushed brake in and the alarm system would go off. When stopping at a stop light or slowing down the car will try to die and at times had actually died for no reason. I believe there is a major electrical problem with the 2003 Trailblazers and someone needs to do something about. This is not safe and should not be tolerated! I am worried that it is going to catch on fire with me or my children in it, and I should feel safe in a vehicle! this car is a hazard to not only me and my family but anyone that is on the road beside us, because it is eventually going to catch on fire and I just pray that no one is hurt or killed due to this neglect by Chevrolet!!

- Prattsville, AR, USA

problem #93

May 052010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Speedometer quit working. This is a common problem with this vehicle and should be covered under a factory recall.

- Leesburg, GA, USA

problem #92

Nov 102010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
I own a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. My cluster started to malfunction in November 2010. I purchased the vehicle in July 2010. The odometer doesn't work at all, and the speedometer spins and spins around, which doesn't register the correct speeds. While searching the internet and this site, this is a common problem that happens with these vehicles that Chevrolet is not fixing. This should be recalled so that Chevrolet can properly fix this problem.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #91

Aug 012010

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that all of the instrument panel gauges excluding the fuel level gauge was reading inaccurately. When driving at any speed, the speedometer remained at the same speed regardless of how fast or slow he was driving. Both the dealer and manufacturer were informed of the failure and advised her that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 120,000 and the failure mileage was 80,000.

- Martinsville, IL, USA

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