2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext 370 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext 370, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical631.6%
- Fuel system315.8%
- Visibility210.5%
- Engine210.5%
- Exterior lighting210.5%
- Body & structure15.3%
- Other / unspecified15.3%
- Tires & wheels15.3%
- Driver assistance15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 370 REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH WOULD NOT COMPLETELY CLOSE WINDOW . SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING. HAD VEHICLE STOP AT TIME AND HAD ASSISTANCE IN REMOVING DOOR INTERIOR PANEL AND FOUND ELECTRICAL WINDOW SWITCH COMPLETELY MELTED AND WIRE CONNECTION BURNED . PERSONAL VEHICLE USED ON VACATION, STOPPED JUST OFF HIGHWAY AT TIME . *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 370. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEATED SEAT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANKS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE VAPORS CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IN NYS THIS CAR WILL NOT PASS THE YEARLY INSPECTION. CHEVROLET HAS AN EXTENDED COVERAGE BULLETIN OUT BUT IT ONLY IS FOR VEHICLES THAT HAVE LES THAN 150,000 MILES ON IT OR ARE NOT OLDER THAN 15 YEARS OLD. WHICHEVER COME FIRST. PRIOR TO THIS, THEIR EXTENDED COVERAGE WAS FOR 150,000 MILES OR 12 YEARS. I WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE FIRST TIME DUE TO AGE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND AM NOW EXCLUDED FROM THE SECOND EXTENDED COVERAGE DUE TO THE MILEAGE. IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL RECALL AND THAT CHEVY HAS LOOPHOLED NUMEROUS OWNERS OUT OF THE COVERAGE BY NOT INCREASING THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE TO DRIVE A CAR ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA IS BETWEEN 15,000 AND 16,000 PER YEAR. ACCORDING TO THEIR MILEAGE REQUIRES A PERSON WOULD HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THIS CAR LESS THAT 10,000 PER YEAR. THIS IS TOTALLY UNREALISTIC. SINCE THIS SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVES FUEL WHICH IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE I AM BAFFLED AS TO WHY THE NHTSA IS NOT FORCING AN OFFICIAL; RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE OR FORCING CHEVY TO TAKE THE MILEAGE RESTRICTION/AGE OFF OF THE EXTENDED COVERAGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 370. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE SUV AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASED TO FUNCTION DURING A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM. SHE HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE HER VISIBILITY WAS OBSTRUCTED TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SAFELY.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 370. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEATED SEAT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STARTED LEAVING SPOTS OF OIL ON THE GROUND OVER NIGHT. WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON WEDNESDAY AND A BLUISH CLOUD OF SMOKE WAS TRAILING BEHIND ME. ARRIVED AT WORK AND LET TRUCK COOL DOWN AFTER WHICH I CRAWLED UNDERNEATH AND WITH A MIRROR WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE LEAKING REAR MAIN SEAL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM,S 5.3 LITER ENGINES. MULTIPLE FORUMS ARE POSTING MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS AND REPAIR THIS ISSUE WHICH AGAIN IS A WIDE SPREAD KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
EXHAUST BOLTS HAVE BROKEN ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, THIS VEHICLE HAS THE V8 ENGINE. DEALER EXPLAINS THAT THIS NEEDS FIXED AS CARBON MONOXIDE COULD ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE A YEAR AGO, I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEE IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT. THEY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT AND THAT GM VEHICLES MODEL YEAR 2000 TO 2007 WITH THIS 5.3 V8 ENGINE HAVE REPORTED THESE BOLTS BREAKING AND INFORMED ME TO CONTACT GM ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. I DO NOT HAVE THE $2000 FOR REPAIRS AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 370. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNALS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PRESS THE BUTTON FOR THE HAZARD LIGHTS WHEN NEEDED, BUT NOT THE TURN SIGNALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND CAUSED THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE REAR HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO SHORT AND DIM WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THREE YEARS SINCE 2011 AT NIGHT AT RANDOM TIMES OUR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON US AS YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THEY MAY COME BACK ON BEFORE YOU GET HOME BUT WE HAVE DROVE 1HR 30 MINUTES AND STILL NOT. WE DID TAKE IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT FINE A PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY CAN CHANGE THIS N THAT SENOR BUT COULDN'T SAY THAT WOULD EVEN FIX IT. BUT COST US $$$$$$ WHY CAN'T SOME ONE FINE OUT DO A RECALL WE HATE DRIVING ON OUR HIGHBEAM AND SO DOES THE PEOPLE WE PASS OR GET BEHIND. WE DO TRY AND TURN THEM OFF WHEN WE PASS OTHER BUT THAT IS DANGERS AS WELL.PLEASE HELP WE WANT TO KEEP OUR TRAILBLAZER AND STAY ALIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 370. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HATCH DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO LATCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK, I RETURNED TO MY PARKED VEHICLE TO DISCOVER A TOTALLY FLAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE, ON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TIRE HAD SPLIT ON THE OUTSIDE SEAM. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE SAME CONDITION OF THE TIRE SPLITTING WAS VISIBLE ON ALL THREE OF THE OTHER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. FLAT TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH SPARE TIRE THAT HAD NEVER BEEN USED. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE PLACE THAT I HAD PURCHASED THE TIRES; THE TECH AT THE STORE EXAMINED THE TIRES AND DECLARED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED FROM THE SAME BATCH OF TIRES MANUFACTURED BY GOODYEAR. AND THAT ALL FOUR WERE DEFECTED. TODAY I CONTACTED GOODYEAR AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THEIR LOCATION. THE MAN AT GOODYEAR STATED THAT GOODYEAR HAS NEVER HAD A RECALL NOR DEFECTIVE TIRES. THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT GOODYEAR WHEN THEY OPENED ON THE EAST COAST. MY COMPLAINT IS WITH GOODYEAR. AND THE VALIDITY OF THE GOODYEAR TECH STATING THAT GOODYEAR HAS NEVER HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE OR RECALL ON THEIR TIRES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK, I RETURNED TO MY PARKED VEHICLE TO DISCOVER A TOTALLY FLAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE, ON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TIRE HAD SPLIT ON THE OUTSIDE SEAM. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE SAME CONDITION OF THE TIRE SPLITTING WAS VISIBLE ON ALL THREE OF THE OTHER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. FLAT TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH SPARE TIRE THAT HAD NEVER BEEN USED. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE PLACE THAT I HAD PURCHASED THE TIRES; THE TECH AT THE STORE EXAMINED THE TIRES AND DECLARED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED FROM THE SAME BATCH OF TIRES MANUFACTURED BY GOODYEAR. AND THAT ALL FOUR WERE DEFECTED. TODAY I CONTACTED GOODYEAR AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THEIR LOCATION. THE MAN AT GOODYEAR STATED THAT GOODYEAR HAS NEVER HAD A RECALL NOR DEFECTIVE TIRES. THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT GOODYEAR WHEN THEY OPENED ON THE EAST COAST. MY COMPLAINT IS WITH GOODYEAR. AND THE VALIDITY OF THE GOODYEAR TECH STATING THAT GOODYEAR HAS NEVER HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE OR RECALL ON THEIR TIRES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THREE YEARS SINCE 2011 AT NIGHT AT RANDOM TIMES OUR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON US AS YOUR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THEY MAY COME BACK ON BEFORE YOU GET HOME BUT WE HAVE DROVE 1HR 30 MINUTES AND STILL NOT. WE DID TAKE IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT FINE A PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY CAN CHANGE THIS N THAT SENOR BUT COULDN'T SAY THAT WOULD EVEN FIX IT. BUT COST US $$$$$$ WHY CAN'T SOME ONE FINE OUT DO A RECALL WE HATE DRIVING ON OUR HIGHBEAM AND SO DOES THE PEOPLE WE PASS OR GET BEHIND. WE DO TRY AND TURN THEM OFF WHEN WE PASS OTHER BUT THAT IS DANGERS AS WELL.PLEASE HELP WE WANT TO KEEP OUR TRAILBLAZER AND STAY ALIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .