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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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
56,430 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

problem #10

Jun 082017

Trailblazer

  • 203,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

- Ransomville, NY, USA

problem #9

Jan 012014

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the key could be removed while the vehicle was in gears other than park. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch and the ABS failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 12/9/14* cn updated 8/31/2017

- Northfield, MI, USA

problem #8

Jun 042014

Trailblazer

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that she was able to remove the key out of the ignition while the vehicle was in reverse. No warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operations. The failure recurred on two separate occasions. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer a remedy. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.

- Terrell, TX, USA

problem #7

Nov 282007

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64 miles

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

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

- Memphis , TN, USA

problem #6

Jul 222007

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
This truck has on three separate occasions shut down while driving and would not start back up. The truck had to be towed to a dealership and the ignition switch was replaced all three times. The last time it was driven off of the lot and made it 4 blocks before it stopped running again. It was towed back to the repair shop and is still not running.

- Shenandoah, IA, USA

problem #5

Jul 202004

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,885 miles
1st incident (July 2004): While driving about 20 mph, vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. Could not get it to start and key locked in ignition while truck was still in gear. Other times previous, vehicle took a few times to start. Ignition switch was intermittent. While in for repair first time, found that when vehicle stalled, it lost ignition input. Codes that came up with scan check were U1000, U1016, U1152, B1372 and U1088. Ignition switch was replaced with new, fp#12450251-switch 2.188 R. all other fuses and wiring to ignition were found to be "ok". 2nd-current incident (October 2006): Vehicle took several times to start (same as original problem). Vehicle would turnover but would not start engine. Tried several times before battery died. Current evaluation from service tech is that the ignition switch is bad. Key is locking in ignition and can't move gears. Tow driver had to "jump" battery to get vehicle in and out of neutral for tow and to remove key from ignition. Still waiting on extended warranty provider to approve this replacement (although the original warranty provider is now bankrupt). We may have to pay for this repair out of pocket if warranty issue is not resolved.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #4

Apr 142006

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

I realized the problems when pulling out of a parking lot into the street, the truck came to a sudden stop and I couldn't get the engine to turn. At the same time I noticed all gauges on the dashboard started blinking and going back and forth. Luckily I was not around a lot of cars and I was able to get the car started after 10 minutes. However, what if I was driving in a heavily traveled highway" would I still be alive to make this complaint" a very much concerned Chevrolet owner.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #3

May 242005

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,956 miles
While driving obout 25 miles my vehicle stopped without any warning.I put it back in park and tried to started nothing happen. Called the dealer they sent a towed truck and said it was the ignition switch and replaced it. I dont feel safe in this car any more.a car that stops suddenly while driving is very dangerous.

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jul 012004

Trailblazer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
While driving 55 mph, the vehicle shut down. The dealer stated that the ignition switch malfunctioned. All of the lights on the dash board blinked before the consumer even realized that the vehicle had no power.

- Maynard, AR, USA

problem #1

Feb 282003

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,392 miles
My 11-month old 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer has had multiple quality problems, twice affecting my safety. Most of the problems have been electrical in nature. The 4WD has become inoperable numerous times, once while driving in snow. In another incident during a severe thunderstorm at night the air conditioner (A/C) failed and I was unable to defrost my windshield in order to see. After one dealer failed to diagnose the 4WD problem, another dealer replaced my ignition switch because the technician said I had no power at all going to the "rear grid." I continue to have intermittent electrical problems, including near stalling at a traffic light, and ongoing 4WD failures. The car also has very jerky motion when in 4WD reverse, of course, when the 4WD is working at all. The dealer told me that was normal and now I see there is a service bulletin on the problem.

- Arnold, MD, USA

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