CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER · model year

2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

1160 NHTSA complaints, 84 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003CHEVROLETTRAILBLAZER carries 1160 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 84 crashes, 24 fires, 86 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 TRAILBLAZER is electrical system with 170 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (82) and fuel system, gasoline (56). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 TRAILBLAZER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1160
Complaints
84
Crashes
24
Fires
86
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

1160 filings

Crashes Reported

84 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM170
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL82
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE56
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM55
AIR BAGS45
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION38
EXTERIOR LIGHTING36
POWER TRAIN34
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY26
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING23
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS23
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER19
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18

Recalls (8)

03V15100023/04/2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THE BRAKE PIPE PARTIALLY OR FULLY FRACTURED, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD IMMEDIATELY INCREASE AND FRONT B

03V25000015/07/2003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE

03V05100014/02/2003

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

02V22200009/08/2002

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

03V07500006/03/2003

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN AD

05V19800005/05/2005

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

04V04600004/02/2004

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER

04V52700001/11/2004

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Recent Complaints

20230301SERVICE BRAKES

Transmission doesn’t have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.

20230301ENGINE

Transmission doesn’t have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.

20230301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Transmission doesn’t have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.

20220112POWER TRAIN

While driving my Trailblazer in A4WD on slippery road conditions, I went to pulled out of a parking lot and there was a loud sound like my whole front end fell out and the front end completely locked up. Almost causing an accident. I had to dial back to 2HI quickly to unlock to front end. There was no light indicating any problems. Been driving it 2HI since with out any problems. Still no service light or anything, but feels like I'm stuck in A4WD. Feels like there is a drag and a pulling to the right. Also using more gas since. It was a scary, afraid to try the 4x4 functions again. Another snow storm is on the way!

20210316FireSERVICE BRAKES

WIRE HARNESS COATING FALLING APART ALMOST CAUGHT MY TRUCK ON FIRE GOT PICTURES AND IT TRIGGERS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON

Mileage: 207,000

20210316FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WIRE HARNESS COATING FALLING APART ALMOST CAUGHT MY TRUCK ON FIRE GOT PICTURES AND IT TRIGGERS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON

Mileage: 207,000

20210316FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

WIRE HARNESS COATING FALLING APART ALMOST CAUGHT MY TRUCK ON FIRE GOT PICTURES AND IT TRIGGERS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON

Mileage: 207,000

20210131STRUCTURE:BODY

SEE ATTACHED COMPLAINT TO GENERAL MOTORS. I HAVE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THERE SIMILAR YEAR TRAILBLAZERS.

Mileage: 179,000

20210131SUSPENSION

SEE ATTACHED COMPLAINT TO GENERAL MOTORS. I HAVE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THERE SIMILAR YEAR TRAILBLAZERS.

Mileage: 179,000

20201203FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IT'S LEAKING GAS FROM LINES ON TOP OF GAS TANK MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT I JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT I'M DISABLED ON FIXED INCOME RAISING MY GRANDSON

Mileage: 200,000

20200512FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IN 2018 WE WERE HAVING A FUEL PRESSURE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ICV HAD CRACKED AROUND THE GAS TANK. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE I FOUND THERE WAS A SPECIAL COVERAGE WARRANTY FOR THE ISSUE AND CALLED THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED A MONTH EARLIER AND THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE COVERAGE BUT IF WE WANTED THE CAR FIXED IT WOULD BE OVER$1000. WE'RE NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND IM SURE THAT'S WHY I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL COVERAGE. CONSIDERING THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL TANK AND I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR, I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE EXPIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PEOPLE BUY USED CARS ALL THE TIME AND IF THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T CATCH IT BEFORE SELLING THE CAR IT'S UNFAIR TO PUT THE EXPENSE ON THE NEW OWNER WHEN IT'S A DEFECT CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S CHOICE IN UNRELIABLE PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20200429FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR TO FIND A HOLE IN MY DRIVER SEAT AND THE ROOF TOP BURNT AS WELL. I ALSO HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT IN DUE TO IT LEAKING GAS AFTER PUT IT. IT CONTINUES TO LEAK.

20200429FireSEATS

MY DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR TO FIND A HOLE IN MY DRIVER SEAT AND THE ROOF TOP BURNT AS WELL. I ALSO HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT IN DUE TO IT LEAKING GAS AFTER PUT IT. IT CONTINUES TO LEAK.

20200413SEATS

FRAME FAILED DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVE CONDITION. FORWARD TO REVERSE GRINDING CAUSED BY SEPARATION OF FRAME.

Mileage: 338,000

20200413SUSPENSION

FRAME FAILED DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVE CONDITION. FORWARD TO REVERSE GRINDING CAUSED BY SEPARATION OF FRAME.

Mileage: 338,000

20200408AIR BAGS

NOTHING HAS HAPPENING YET TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS FIXED HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT SO STARTED HERE, PLEASE TELL ME IF NOT ALLOWED OR WHERE I CAN GET THE INFORMATION

Mileage: 200,000

20200408SERVICE BRAKES

NOTHING HAS HAPPENING YET TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS FIXED HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT SO STARTED HERE, PLEASE TELL ME IF NOT ALLOWED OR WHERE I CAN GET THE INFORMATION

Mileage: 200,000

20200408ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NOTHING HAS HAPPENING YET TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS FIXED HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT SO STARTED HERE, PLEASE TELL ME IF NOT ALLOWED OR WHERE I CAN GET THE INFORMATION

Mileage: 200,000

20200328FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHEVROLET SHOULD DO A CURRENT RECALL MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER HAS LEAK NEEDS TO BE FIXED

20190828FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND MY SUV WAS PARKED IN THE YARD AND I WENT TO GO TO THE STORE AND OPENED MY DOOR AND FOUND THE TRUCK WAS FULL OF SMOKE! MY DRIVER SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE JUST SITTING THERE. NOT EVEN CRANKED! IT DESTROYED THE SEAT AND THE TOP OF THE SUV AND THE ROOF MELTED ALL OVER THE TRUCK.

Mileage: 312,000

Compare 2003CHEVROLETTRAILBLAZER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER have?
The 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER has 1160 NHTSA complaints, 84 crashes, 24 fires, 86 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER?
Yes, the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER?
The most-complained component for the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 170 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.