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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.

3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,543 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #18

Jan 182017

Trailblazer

  • 54,000 miles

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

Almost all the gauges on my intstrumet cluster have failed. Speedometer 1st, oil pressure gauge next, and now my fuel gauge has failed. Many complaints from Chevy owners re: Same issue. No response yet from Chevy.

- Massapequa Park, NY, USA

problem #17

Dec 102016

Trailblazer

  • 175,200 miles
The instrument cluster panel is not working. The oil gauge does not work, speedometer does not work and RPM does not work

- Walnut, MS, USA

problem #16

Aug 082012

Trailblazer

  • miles
The speedometer has stopped working and I have seen this on a lot of Chevy but the Trailblazer is not on the recall list. It should be!

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #15

Apr 042016

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

"takata recall" we just purchased this car from my husband's deceased mother's estate and it had a recall on the lighting inside and outside tail lights. The vehicle has 83 thousand miles on it and the vehicle rear lights are not working when I brake only one that is the third light on top of car. GM (Chevrolet) I live on a very limited income and due to disability as well. My income is 1330 a month. How can I get this fixed? they want to charge me for diagnostics, as I stated we fixed it once it seems to be that it may get hot and blows fuses and then I have no idea I have no tail lights this is very dangerous and someone could rear end me and kill themselves and or myself. Please help me in understanding are they responsible to fix their defects as they did it once when it was recalled and we also just bought this car. Paid about 5 thousand for it. Excellent condition. Other than the lighting system not working only on and off. I have not had an accident but I do not want to have a accident. I find it unfair that they don't want to fix the problem unless they are paid because apparently it is a problem that is and will recur. We have actually fixed the problem once but apparently something is wrong that we cannot secure the issue properly. Kindest regards [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lake Hamilton, FL, USA

problem #14

Feb 012016

Trailblazer

  • 80 miles
Gages cluster on dashboard stopped working. I know 8 people that have this issue on there vehicle. No speedometer, tach, battery, fuel and other gages went out. When you start vehicle, put it in drive and drive. Shut off and restart. Nothing this is a safety issue. Happened at 80K and then started working now doing it again at 149,000. Total safety issue since other Chevy models have this issue and was recalled!!!!!

- Denver, NC, USA

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problem #13

Dec 072015

Trailblazer

  • miles
Extended warranty fuel tank filler leak known issue with Chevrolet which affects other parts such fuel pump, fuel module, etc Chevrolet has been aware of this issue since 2007 and I just got a call from a senior advisor from Chevy stating that the "replacement part" is not going to be in until April.I find this unacceptable since I am driving around with a gas leak. The sa first started off, well we understand you are complaining about the part being back ordered. No I am mad because if they sent out letters to consumers, don't you think you should have the part in to fix the issues with the Trailblazer" Chevy is dragging its feet to fix its own warranty that it extended to consumers. The longer I drive around with this leak, the longer others parts such the fuel pump, fuel module, etc will fail and Chevy should cover these parts also. How does Chevy expect me to drive around for 5 months with a fuel leak"

- Yuma, AZ, USA

problem #12

Nov 142014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 157,000 miles

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

First the RPM gauge stops working properly, then the temp and oil pressure gauge do the same. After all that you get a check gauges light and a annoying dinging noise that wont go away.

- Jefferson, TN, USA

problem #11

Sep 032014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
I was driving to go get pizza with my 15 year old granddaughter. Once at the pizza place I pulled into a parking space and proceeded to put my truck in park and went to turn off ignition switch and it wouldn't turn off. I became frightened because that was the 4th time that my car would not turn off. A nice man in the parking lot came over to try to assist me and he could not get it to turn off either. I was about to call 911 and I sat back in the drivers seat and the switch finally turned off. It stayed on 20 minutes before it cut off. Each time it has happened it has stayed on at least 10 minutes or longer. I have called the 1-800 number for Chevrolet each time this has happened and no one will help me. I am to the point where I am afraid to drive my truck but this is my only means of transportation. I understand that my vehicle has not been listed in the recall yet however, something is visibly wrong with my switch and I am requesting assistance with this. I fear for my safety driving my truck.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #10

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 #9

Jul 012011

Trailblazer

  • 120,000 miles
The passenger side exhaust manifold cracks. Once manifold cracks exhaust fumes make there way into the cabin of the car. Also the extra heat causes wires to melt and could be a possible fire hazard. After researching the failed part I have realized it is an extremely common problem with the Trailblazers and GM has done nothing to correct this failing part

- Poughquag, NY, USA

problem #8

Sep 042010

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles

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

I am filing a complaint.and will continue to file complaints until all of the consumers issues have been addressed. I understand that GM is not willing to hold theirselfs liable for these issues, but people spend pretty pennies out of pocket to purchase vehicles from these manufacturers to spend more money to pay for repairs after just a short while of owning these. I have researched issues I am having with my vehicle, and I am having all the above listed issues, and do not wish to spend large amounts of money to pay for these cost considering I am still paying for this vehicle. I just spoke with a representive about these complaints, and have set up an appoinment to pay a dealership for diagnostics, but am hoping that I can get closure on these issues without paying big expenses. I hope everyone else will follow suit and keep inputting your complaints until they are resolved. My vehicle issues are the fan clutch needs replaced, my gas tank has been replaced already, just replaced my serpintine belt this morning, my exterior lights (brake/turn signal) have been replaced 3 times over two months, and engine light keeps coming on, something doesnt seem right underneath this vehicle either. I just feel like I am paying for a peice of junk on top of paying to keep the vehicle running. Oh yea this vehicle has had to have thousands of dollars of body work done as well thanks to mother nature. I just hope they will be responsible enough to take on this responsibilty of theirs, not ours.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #7

Dec 102010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
2003 chev Trailblazer. Mileage is 95,000, speedometer shows misleading info, first started reading about 20 mph over actual speed, over the past month has increased, now at full stop reads about 100 mph, then when vehicle is moving the needle is pointed straight down, past 120 mph.

- La Luz, NM, USA

problem #6

Dec 012010

Trailblazer

  • miles
The problem is this. I went to go somewhere at 5 am it was 44 degrees and raining. A light came on that said "ice on the roadway" another light came on that said "engine power reduced" so here I am going under 5 miles per hour on the freeway. Its 44 degrees and no ice. It has been doing this every since I bought it new in 2003. I have told them every time I take it in for a lube and oil change but they ignore me because they do not know how to fix it.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #5

Jan 162008

Trailblazer

  • 49,500 miles
Second incident dashboard: Service brakes, antilock ABS warning light. Says to seek service. ABS malfunctioning any time it goes below minus 10 degrees for the past two years. Assume that the ABS system will not work, and it is a safety issue. Malfunctioning ABS. The first event we paid to have service bulletin check grounding of wheel and body sensors. The next year it went away after a day of the car not being used. Why doesn't the govenrment get Chevrolet to repair permanently the malfunction before any accidents occur.

- Sparta, WI, USA

problem #4

Sep 052007

(reported on)

Trailblazer

  • miles
2003 Chevrolet trail Blazer extended with plastic piece that flew of vehicle. Customer states that it was replaced once under warranty but that was a year and half ago* the consumer stated on the back of the window, on top of the rear hatch there was a piece of plastic that held the middle brake light. The plastic piece flew off the vehicle.

- Kenmore, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 012003

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
Almost weekly we have to have acorns removed from blower in dashboard because squirrels get up inside dashboard from underneath the car and stash the nuts in the dashboard and the nuts get all caught in the fan and cause it to shake the entire dash board, ....was told when I called to make appointment for blower motor problems the service department told me the problem was probably acorns in the dash and they were going to have to charge me for the service call and there was nothing they could do about the squirrel and acorns getting into the dashboard. In fact they were nuts and when I talked to Chevy about fixing the problem I was laughed at and they told me to go to local hardware store and buy screen and stuff it in hole.....I don't even know where they are getting into the car and I don't think I should have to pay for someone to fix this issue because it is a manufactures defect in the design.

- New Ipswich, NH, USA

problem #2

Aug 242006

Trailblazer

  • miles
1) spare tire release defective and cannot lower spare. Found problem with spare release by belle tire when rotating and buying new tires at 58,000 miles. 2) no spare available. My child in the car stranded on a road endangers my family. 3) requested GM assistance center for assistance with no answer for two months. Was finally directed to dealer for estimate. GM dealer indicated that the problem is common on the GM Trailblazers, and in need of repair. They did not know if the replacement part was redesigned. GM assistance center could not answer if part improved, and would not offer any compensation for replacement of another potentially bad part that could leave a motorist in an unsafe situation.

- Farmington, MI, USA

problem #1

Apr 142003

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer on 2/28/03 and within a few weeks the paint wore off the bottom of the right and left rear doors. Had the vehicle repainted. Within a few days it wore off again. Chevrolet will not repaint the affected areas stating it is an environmental issue. The dealer states they believe it is a manufacturer defect in design. They also stated I would need to put running boards and molded mud flaps on to prevent the problem from getting worse. They are however not willing to put them on at their expense. If this was an environmental issue than all vehicles would have the same problem not just me. In speaking to Chevrolet customer assistance I was told that they are aware of this problem with the Trailblazers however they are not willing to do anything about it.

- Lyndonville, NY, USA

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