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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,786 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.
This vehicle was purchased new in Jun 2003. While still under warranty, various recalls were issued for steering, brake lights and rear hatch locking/handle assembly. Since then, the vehicle has been a lemon. Power steering pump replaced twice (first one I paid for, second independent and very reliable mechanic shop paid). Next the engine cooling fan bearing had to be replaced. Later, the transmission had to be rebuilt. I also had to get the computer checked and reset to avoid surging engine RPM and resultant speed deviations. Reaching a point of frustration as never before, I wrote GM asking for consideration repairing the transmission and received no response. I know they received the email since I had a "receipt requested" feature activated in my office computer. I sent a second email stating I was aware of the email receipt and that I expected a response. No such luck. All these problems manifested themselves well before the 100,000 miles were reached. Now at approximately 132,000 miles, I had to replace the exhaust manifold due to a crack, the vehicle has lost power on two occasions, the entire dashboard has gone to zero and back to normal several times and the latest is an engine noise that my very reliable, 6 year auto service provider has told be is related to the timing belt assembly/mount points and as it gets louder, the engine will be getting ready to fail. So, I read all these complaints today and felt like I could have summarized everyone's complaints and concerns. I am an accident investigator and have no doubt that this vehicle will go down in history as one of the most unreliable and dangerous cars ever built. Shame the feds have not taken the extra steps to remedy the issues after so many complaints yet, they went after top selling Toyota at a time when the american made cars were barely able to stay afloat. Wonder?
In July 2010 my Trailblazers clutch fan and thermostat went out. I was able to diagnose the problem by the number of complaints filed on this model that were on the internet. Then in October my tachometer started acting up, it broke November 24, 2010. The speedometer broke on December 3, 2010. I have found many complaints on the clutch fan going out and the cluster going out on the internet. Someone at work had a problem with their Envoy and it was the thermostat and their clutch fan going out. All at fairly low mileage. I am very disappointed in GM for not wanting to repair these issues so the consumer bears the costs of repair which is about 500 for the clutch fan and thermostat and 400 for the cluster.
Fan clutch- sounds like an airplane taking off until RPM is up then clutch disengages and sounds normal again. I've seen alot of complaints regarding this problem, but still no recall! why not"???"
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer speedometer failed the speedometer would register as high as 120 mph. The vehicle was inspected and it was determined there was an internal malfunction on the instrument cluster. The consumer was informed it would cost $550 for a replacement cluster. The rear passenger taillight and passenger side head light burned out and was replaced. The water pump and serpentine belt were replaced. The mechanic noted a broken bolt in the water pump that held down the housing and the ball joints were replaced.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
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2nd time replacing clutch fan "68,000 miles" check engine light comes on. Loud noise from engine. Eventually goes into reduced power mode "max 10mph". my check engine light is on again and it is making that loud whirring noise again. I am expecting a third failure soon. This should be recalled.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 10 to 15 mph, the driver traveled over a railroad track and the engine stalled unexpectedly. There were no warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact made several unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine and observed that the "empty fuel" indicator was displayed on the fuel gauge. When the engine restarted, the fuel gauge displayed the accurate reading. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The contact has concerns of the significant safety risk. The VIN was rejected from the system. The failure mileage was 71,200. The current mileage was 71,220.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle loses power, but does not stall. The failure has been occurring for a couple of weeks. The failure has nearly caused a crash on two occasions. The dealer stated that all the coils and plugs were defective due to the gasket leaking water and causing them to crack. The only work performed on the vehicle was for the brakes and spark plugs in 2008. The current and failure mileages were 92,000.
While driving from work I stopped at a red light and the Trailblazers RPM dropped down and the truck shut off in traffic. But all the lights were on. I had to restart the truck and it crank up. Three weeks later I was pulling up to a gas station and pressed on the brakes to stop and the truck cut off (same experience). Yesterday I was driving in 5 O'clock traffic and pressed on the brakes and it shut off again.
My Chevy Trailblazer has a loud sound when driving or idling. Its sounds like a dump truck. Have taken it to a mechanic and they have said that it is the fan clutch. I then had the fan clutch replaced and the sound continues.
Water has been seen several times dripping from underneath the truck in the center area. It appears to be from the emissions system. No wet weather at the time. It appears to be some sort of condensation. Also fan clutch failure, sway bar linkages failure, tie-rod failure, rack and pinion failure/leak, control arm failures 2 times, windshield wiper would not turn off failure, windshield wiper reservoir tank leak replaced, ac cold air failure. All needed to be replaced on a vehicle less than 5 years old with only 38,000 miles on it.
2003 Chevy Trailblazer with 34100 miles service engines light comes on, I take it to the dealer who fixes it and recommend I have the transmission and another regular maintenance completed that cost me over $400 dollars. Two weeks later I have to take it back becasue the speedometer went past 115 miles while sitting still, a week later the transmission starts stalling while going forward and the engine fan is running constantly even on start up. Checked the fluid I had none in the transmission. Yet it was suppose to have been filled when maintenance was done. Took it back to the dealer it is no longer under warranty and just under a hundred miles later my 2003 Chevy Trailblazer which is 3 years old. There is a problem with the transmission in the Chevy Trailblazer and I am not the only one experiencing this. Something needs to be done. Help.
Heard lots of noises. At 51,225 mostly highway miles found vehicle needed: (1) differential cover gasket (2) pinion shaft seal (3) extension housing seal (4) thermal fan clutch cost: $1,800 left alone, failed seals and gasket will cause complete transmission failure, failed fan clutch will cause engine seizing, fire.
I have a 03 TB 2wd I have noticed recently that it is not changing gears properly. The service engine light came on and the problem appeared three more times. Then the light went off and the problem went away. I took it to the dealer and they hooked it up to the "machine" and all they could find wrong was my O2 sensor. They said I needed to replace the gas sensor. This has nothing to do with the transmission.(this is what they said) they told me that they were not worried about it. I told them I was about to drive the car on a trip 1,000 miles one way. No problems they said. I called and questioned the dealership and he acted very surprised by this. Says he hasn't seen a "problem" with the transmission. One of my co-workers daughter also has a Trailblazer and hers has started to act up as well, and guess what it is the same thing as mine. I went on this web site and found out that this is a common problem with the TB. Is there anything that can be done about this madness? townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.EF15323/65.
When vehicle was not operated for several days in cold temperatures it would not start at all. When taken to dealer for inspection the cause of the problem could not be determined.
I have had the exact problems as stated in 10047425. Windshield wipers went out completely on a rainy day, module replaced, A/C broke on a hot day-fixed, power steering assist stopped working completely making driving the vehicle nearly impossible, vehicle started on reserve power when temp hit -6 degrees, heater motor stopped working completely the next day -10 degrees. Basically this vehicle doesn't like changes in weather.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Henderson, NC, USA