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:
78,250 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.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving various speeds, the front end of the vehicle vibrated. The vibration was more pronounced while the engine was idling. Also, while ascending up a hill, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The mechanic replaced the motor mounts, control arms, and tension belt; however, the failures continued. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 177,000. The VIN was invalid.
I've noticed that my front end was lower than usual. At first I thought my upper control arms were giving in. I took my car to replace the front tires and to also get a 4 wheel alignment. That is when I was told that the strut base that is welded onto the chassis was rotting off. The mechanic expressed that I was a very lucky guy because at any point in time during my commute, I could have been in a serious car accident that could have resulted in death since I mostly use this car on the highway to commute to work. I didn't think much of it until he actually showed me all the rotted parts and I was in deep shock once I saw what he was telling me. I'm thankful that the cars strut was leaning on the inner fender frame preventing it from completely falling to the ground. I asked the mechanic how something like this could have happen and he explained that since we live in an area where it snows, the salt that is applied on the roads gets trapped into the slotted holes of the chassis and deteriorates with time. It is unknown of the time of which the chassis had begun rotting.
- Providence, RI, USA
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Electrical problems in the instrument panel (dashboard). All gauges intermittently quits working, on startup, sitting running or in motion. Tachometer never reads correctly. Can occasionally get gauges to reset by clicking ignition back and forth between run and start positions. I know of 5 other vehicle's that are having similar problems.
Was making a lane change on perfect road conditions when the back end of the Trailblazer started shaking uncontrollably. Veered into the median and was about to drive into on coming traffic. Cranked hard on the steering wheel to the right to avoid traffic and rolled the vehicle 4 times.
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.
2003 Trailblazer - reduced engine power light present when started. Would accelerate to 15mph. Rattle or grinding noise when braking or driving over bumps. Drove to beaty Chevrolet knoxville tn tues, 2/7/06. Replaced throttle assembly & advised noise was from misaligned hood. Trailblazer picked up on fri, 2/10/06. Paid $200. Ext warranty ded. Gas empty stopped to fill up. While driving noticed fuel gauge past full mark, appeared to be pointing straight down. Noticed tachometer registered 6500 rpms. Called beaty Chevrolet. Service department closed. Next day fuel gauge appears correct. After a week refueled and noticed fuel gauge was incorrect again. Noticed strong gas odor when vehicle is started & vehicle smoking. Called to schedule repairs on 2/28/06. Was unable to make appointment rescheduled for tues 3/9/06. Beaty informed that it must be guage sensor and not related to previous repair work so another $200. Deductible would be due. They were unable to detect fuel odor nor smoking. I disagreed with the $200 charge due to vehicle being defective when I picked it up from the service department on the first visit. Beaty chev. Said they did not look at the tachometer nor fuel gauge when they service vehicles so they would not have known about the problem. Lol.. I called GM warranty and they would not waive the $200 and said the dealership would be responsible. I contacted the dealership again and they thought GM would waived because of the numerous problems with the guage sensors. However they would not admit that they did not check the vehicle when it was being repaired the first visit. I have read numerous complaints regarding reduced power throttle assembly, guage malfunctions, and grinding noise when braking and feel that GM should recall and reimburse the consumer for the repairs they have paid. Vehicle is still making grinding noise and now seems to lunge forward when brake is released. I need help and any advice you have to offer.
These are all of the problems fixed at the dealer with this truck so far: Rear sway bar links replaced, rear wiper blade came out of alignment 2 times, right rear door is warped, driver side rear molding is loose, back plate rubber seal out of alignment, windshield wiper tank replaced since it was leaking, A/C low pressure switch inop then replaced, windshield wiper module replaced because wipers would not turn off, sway bar links replaced for a second time. All of these have broken over the past 2 years and nine months and driver's side passenger window for that door is loose. Still is a noise in the front suspension that makes a hard knock onto the steering column but dealer denies hearing it.
The car constantly wanders (especially at high speeds) causing me to continually correct the car to stay within the lines of the road. I took the car to the dealer 2xs and the performed 2 wheel alignments. This is not the issue as it started when I bought the car last Nov 2002 and continues every day. This car is very unsafe to drive due to this wandering issue. The dealer stated the steering is extremely sensitive. I again disagree since the only reason I have to adjust is due to the wandering which happens on its own.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lafayette, IN, USA