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.
2.5
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,529 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.
I am the original owner of a 2003 Trailblazer. During the last couple of months, my husband and I have been smelling gas off and on. We were parked in a parking lot and as I got into the car, I told my husband I smelled a strong odor of gas. Our engine light went on. We took our vehicle to the repair shop and they found a crack between the gas tank and the filler pipe and cap. We took our vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer and they said there was not a recall notice on our VIN # and they were not responsible for the replacement of the tank. We had a new fuel tank replaced at our local repair shop. The cost of the fuel tank replacement was $1,215.50. One spark in the road and we would have lost our lives. We understand that there was a recall notice on 2002 Trailblazer, but not 2003. What is the difference" safety is safety no matter what year. Does GM want to save a few dollars compared to lost lives" we were shocked on our internet research through tsbs which showed a great number of individuals owning a Trailblazer with this very same problem. GM should stand by their "safety and quality first" which we found online and reimburse all Chevrolet owners with this dangerous problem. There should definitely be a safety recall notice on this problem. The consumer stated GM agreed to reimburse the full amount for the previous repair. Updated 02/06/13
Our 2003 Chevy Trailblazer has smelled like fuel for a few months and we have been going through gas like crazy. We just discovered a cracked valve connecting the hose to the fuel tank. Of course, Chevy doesn't just sell the valve, they want you to buy a whole new tank. After researching online, this seems to be a common problem, maybe a defect with this model and make for 2002-2004 models. I have 3 small children and am concerned that this is a huge safety issue. We had another defect problem with our Trailblazer last year, where the hinges on the rear door wore out and we had to replace the entire door. This is also a common problem with Trailblazers, but Chevy will not issue a recall. We paid the $2500 for the rear door, but I don't want to pay another $1000+ for the fuel tank. This vehicle is becoming a money pit.
Service engine light illuminated due to leak in evac system according to diagnostic test. Smoke test showed leak to be at weld where fill spout tube is attached to fuel tank. Gasoline fumes were present were present from the vehicle. Was infonmed that tank would have to be replaced ala cost of $1200. Did some intemet research and found that GM had a tsb addressing this problem (campaign #05012), but it only applied to 2002 ext models. Since this is, in reality, a fire safety issue, I feel GM should also include other models with the same problem regardless of age or milage. Updated 01/20/11
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph he smelled fuel inside the vehicle and noticed fuel on the outside of the gas tank. The contact called the dealer who advised him to bring the vehicle in. The dealer noticed corrosion on top of the fuel tank and a fuel leak. The dealer was replacing the fuel tank when the complaint was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle could have caught fire while driving. The failure mileage was 211,023.
- Egg Harbor City, NJ, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The dealer stated that the fuel tank was leaking and that there was a fracture in the fuel inlet valve which was connected to the spout. There was no routine maintenance performed on the vehicle prior to the failure. The dealer will not assume the repair cost and there are no related recalls or warranties. The Chevrolet manufacturer was called and stated that they would review the case and inform him of the outcome. The failure mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. She smelled fuel fumes coming through the air vents of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the fuel tank was replaced. The repair did not remedy the failure. Secondly the head-lights fail while driving. Lastly, the lighting of the instrument control panel was inoperative. She contacted the GM manufacturer, and was referred back to the dealer. The vehicle has been taken to several dealers, but the failures have not been remedied. The failure mileage was 7,300. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The owner smelled fuel when he approached the vehicle and eventually the "service engine soon" light came on. An authorized mechanic stated that the seams in the plastic fuel tank were leaking and that the vehicle should not be driven until the problem was corrected. The manufacturer advised the contact that they would not be responsible for the repair costs. The dealer replaced the fuel tank. The current and failure mileages were 40,5000. Updated 10/13/09. The repair was made at another dealership. The dealership stated that the seam failure was on the top of the gas tank. Updated 10/13/09
I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. The gas tank is leaking. After researching this, it is a common problem with this make and model. It was a GM mess up, they should recall it and fix it.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevy Blazer. The fuel tank was leaking. The check engine light is illuminated continuously. The dealer suggested that the entire fuel tank be replaced. The current and failure mileage were 48,000. Updated 01-16-08. Updated
I noticed a strong smell of gas when checking the air pressure in the tires. After looking under the SUV I noticed the tank was dripping gas and was very wet. I was in a small town on a trip with no access to parts so a local shop had to remove the tank, take the sending unit apart, and repair the rusted and leaking sending unit in order to safely get me home.
I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. It has approximately 62,000 miles on it. The gas tank has a leak causing a ses code of P0442. This type of breakage has been reported before and is well documented. The manufacturer claims no responsibility for this failure. They claim it is due to the "age of the car". I cannot believe that it is acceptable for a gas tank to wear out in 3 and 1/2 years! I believe it is a manufacturing defect as it occurs in these types of vehicles frequently. I would ask nhsta to investigate this situation. Thank you for your assistance.
2003 Trailblazer gas tank leak, crack in fuel neck, 60,000 mi.,service light came on and the dealer diagnosed it and said it would be $1200 to replace gas tank.
1) began to notice a strong smell of gasoline when traveling in auto. This smell became stronger when vehicle was parked. Also had a "service engine soon" light on instrument cluster. When looking under car for leak of gasoline, smell was stronger near fuel tank. The smell was so strong that I was afraid to leave auto in garage at my home for fear of a fire. 2) auto was taken to a repair facility for "service engine soon" light and gas smell. They discovered a leak in the gas tank at the plastic weld of the nipple that connects to the filler tube. They stated that there seemed to be a failure at the weld or an incomplete weld from the manufacturer. The only solution for this problem would be the replacement of the fuel tank. 3) this repair was completed by the repair facility on 12/28/2006 I have access to this part for inspection.
High pitch whirring sound emanating from the front underside of the vehicle. Sound increased as acceleration increased. Difficulty in steering became prominent. Rack and pinion was leaking into the boot. Gasoline tank located on the driver side rear, when full, leaked gasoline.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Canyon Lake, TX, USA