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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 313 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and transmission categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 117 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2009 | 6 | 212 |
| Nov 2009 | 4 | 216 |
| Dec 2009 | 3 | 219 |
| Jan 2010 | 1 | 220 |
| Mar 2010 | 5 | 225 |
| Apr 2010 | 2 | 227 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 228 |
| Jun 2010 | 4 | 232 |
| Jul 2010 | 2 | 234 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 235 |
| Sep 2010 | 3 | 238 |
| Oct 2010 | 2 | 240 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 241 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 242 |
| Jan 2011 | 5 | 247 |
| Feb 2011 | 2 | 249 |
| Apr 2011 | 2 | 251 |
| May 2011 | 4 | 255 |
| Jun 2011 | 2 | 257 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 258 |
| Aug 2011 | 3 | 261 |
| Sep 2011 | 2 | 263 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 264 |
| Dec 2011 | 2 | 266 |
| Feb 2012 | 2 | 268 |
| Mar 2012 | 2 | 270 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 271 |
| Jul 2012 | 3 | 274 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 275 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 276 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 277 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 278 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 279 |
| Jun 2013 | 3 | 282 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 283 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 284 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 285 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 287 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 288 |
| Jun 2014 | 2 | 290 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 291 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 292 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 294 |
| Jan 2015 | 2 | 296 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 297 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 298 |
| Sep 2015 | 2 | 300 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 301 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 302 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 303 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 304 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 305 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 306 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 307 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 308 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 309 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 310 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 311 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 312 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 313 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system8923.7%
- Electrical7820.7%
- Transmission338.8%
- Visibility266.9%
- Exterior lighting215.6%
- Body & structure205.3%
- Engine184.8%
- Interior & seats174.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.
FUEL TANK LEAK
IN JUNE 2007, GM WILL EXPAND ITS SPECIAL POLICY TO ADDRESS FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) FRACTURES ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) TRAILBLAZER EXT AND GMC ENVOY XL VEHICLES.THE EXPANDED POLICY COVERS MY 2002-2004 TRAILBLAZER EXT, GMC ENVOY XL, AND GMC ENVOY XUV VEHICLES AND WILL EXTEND FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST).GM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIR OF THE FUEL TANK. IT IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS BEGINNING IN JUNE OF 2007.THIS ACTION SUPERSEDES GM'S PREVIOUS 7 YEAR/70,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 2002 TRAILBLAZER EXT AND ENVOY XL VEHICLES.THE CONDITION IS MOST OFTEN REPORTED AS ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT.THE VEHICLE'S DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE LEAK AND ILLUMINATES THE SES LIGHT.OTHER OWNERS REPORT SMELLING GASOLINE FUMES. THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS FUEL AND OR VAPOR UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.GM STATES, THE FAILURE MECHANISM IS CORROSION OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FLANGE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK.CORROSION OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FLANGE IS THE RESULT OF THE VEHICLE OPERATING IN A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT.ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS PE TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-009) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING NEAR THE BOTTOM REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CHECK VALVE WAS FRACTURED. JOE LUNGHAMER CHEVROLET (475 SUMMIT DR, WATERFORD TWP, MI 48328, 1-(248) 683-7100) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THERE WAS NO FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14423, BUT THEY HAD NOT PROVIDED A RECALL REMEDY TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11190295
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2017
THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEN IT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND NOT OTHER TIMES. NOW IT NEVER WORKS. NOW THAT ITS WINTER I'M SLIDING AT STOP SIGNS THAT AREN'T EVEN THAT SLIPPERY. THE ACTUATORS IN THE HEATING AND COOLING ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ALL SUMMER I HAD HEAT BLOWING ALL THE TIME AND SUDDENLY THERE WOULD BE NOTHING. NOW IT'S COLD AIR ALL THE TIME. MAKES MY WINDOWS FOG UP AND NOT DEFROST. I HAVE DONE THE RESET PROCEDURE AND HEAR THINGS MOVING BUT IT DOESN'T FIX IT. THE BLOWER IN THE BALL SEAT AND THIRD ROW IS HIT OR MISS FOR EVEN WORKING AT ALL.
- NHTSA ID
- 11155988
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 120,600 mi
HAS A BAD GAS SMELL LEAKING GAS SOMEWHERE
- NHTSA ID
- 11139626
- Incident
- Oct 8, 2018
- Mileage
- 194,000 mi
ONE BY ONE THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT AND NOT WORKING. FIRST THE CAR WOULD NOT START ALL THE TIME WITH THE KEY, THEN THE A/C STOPED WORKING, NEXT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, THEN THE INJECTORS. I CHECKED EVERYTHING IT COULD BE. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR JUST DIED LOST POWER STEERING SO IT WAS HARD TO GET OFF THE ROAD FAST. I GOT IT STARTED AND WAS DRIVING AND IT DID IT AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY GET IT HOME WHEN IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND OUT THIS CAR HAS ISSUES WITH THE FUSE BOX ITSELF UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED IT UP JUST TO FIND THE WORDING THAT CONNECTED THE PINS WAS BROKEN IN NUMEROUS PLACES AND HAD STARTED TO BURN UP IN THE BOX.
- NHTSA ID
- 11098831
- Incident
- May 27, 2018
- Mileage
- 177,000 mi
WHEN DRIVING FOR 30 TO 45 MINS ALL THE INSTRUMENTS ON DASH START STICKING AND READING WRONG INFORMATION. IN THE PICTURE MY CAR IS PARKED .
- NHTSA ID
- 11074590
- Incident
- Feb 23, 2018
- Mileage
- 140,443 mi
SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC OFTEN SHOWING FALSE SPEED OR GOES TO ZERO.ALL MOVING SPEEDS HIGHWAY OR STREETS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11033243
- Incident
- Nov 11, 2016
- Mileage
- 108,321 mi
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE TO PCM COMMUNICATION ERROR COMES UP AND THE VEHICLE STARTS THE WARM UP PROCESS AND THEN DIES IN THE PROCESS OF WARM UP PROCEDURES. I GUESS MY QUESTION TO YOU IS HOW CAN I FIX THIS OR DOES A DEAL NEED TO FIX IT OR IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE?
- NHTSA ID
- 11019931
- Incident
- Aug 19, 2017
- Mileage
- 199,263 mi
DRIVING DOWN ROAD ON THE WAY TO HOSPITAL AND TRAILBLAZER MADE A LOUD CLUNK. THEN STARTED MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE. FINISHED DRIVING SLOWLY TO HOSPITAL AS NOT TO MESS ANYTHING ELSE UP. PULLED IN AND PARKED. GOT READY TO LEAVE HOSPITAL AND HAD NO REVERSE ONLY FOWARD.
- NHTSA ID
- 11010243
- Incident
- Jul 15, 2017
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
POWER TRAIN
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.