RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Dec 4, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 313 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesVisibility
Filed Dec 4, 2018

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
Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2015

MY WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN TRAVELING ON I-94 E AND EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE 12 MILE EXIT IN ROSEVILLE MI. MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AS THEY APPROACHED THE RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL ON THE 12 MILE EXIT RAMP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT NARROWLY MISSING A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WITH BOTH EAST AND WEST BOUND TRAFFIC ON 12-MILE ROAD. SHE CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON THE RED LIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE SUV SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS DOWN THE SERVICE DRIVE. SHE SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND I CHECKED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKE WARNING OR ANY OTHER INDICATORS ON THE DASH. I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND COULDN'T EVEN HOLD THE VEHICLE WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVE POSITION. I ALSO NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I'M GOING TO LIMP THE VEHICLE TO MORAN CHEVROLET IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI AND LEAVE IT WITH THOSE THAT SOLD ME THIS DEATHTRAP. ANOTHER AND PERHAPS EVEN GREATER SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE IS THE SUV'S TENDENCY TO MISBEHAVE WHILE IN AWD MODE. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES GOES IN REVERSE WHILE DRIVE IS SELECTED AND VICE VERSA. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL WHILE ENGAGED IN DRIVE MODE OR WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. OH AND LAST WEEK I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY AFTER IT FAILED AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT GM HAD COMPLETED THE RELATED RECALL WORK THAT SIGNED OFF AS BEING COMPLETE FOR THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR AND LINKAGE ASSEMBLY. I SEE I'M NOT ALONE IN HAVING SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC SAFETY RELATED FAILURES WITH THIS PARTICULAR SUV. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND FORCE GM TO RECALL TO FIX THIS CORROSION ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I ALMOST LOST MY FAMILY LAST EVENING AND WILL ASSUME IT WOULD HAVE MADE NATIONAL NEWS HAD THEY DIED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10761751
Incident
Sep 4, 2015
Mileage
88,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Sep 17, 2012

DRIVING APPROX 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY HEARD A "WHAP WHAP WHAP" NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I SLOWED DOWN, AND THE SOUND DIMINISHED. ARRIVING HOME, I FOUND THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD COME LOOSE AT BOTH ENDS. THE TWO CENTER CONNECTIONS LUCKILY HELD, OR ELSE THE PIECE WOULD HAVE COME OFF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER TRAILBLAZERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475663
Incident
Sep 4, 2012
Mileage
139,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2011

INNER CALIPERS OF FRONT BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OUT OF INNER PAD AND IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO FRONT ROTORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430655
Incident
Oct 7, 2011
Mileage
91,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Sep 13, 2007

MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS A THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ACROSS THE TOP HATCH .WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY IT WAS FLYING LIKE A WING ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE LUCKILY DOT FALLING COMPLETELY OFF BUT WHEN I STOPPED IT CAME CRASHING DOWN ONTO MY WINDOW OF HATCH LUCKILY NOT BREAKING ALL I COULD DO IS BREAK IT COMPLETELY OFF SO IT WOULD NOT FLY INTO SOMEONE'S WINDSHIELD BEHIND ME I WORK WITH A LADY WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND HERS FLEW RIGHT OFF HER LATCH CAUSING IT TO SMASH LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND HER. I ALSO HAVE IT IN THE SHOP DUE TO RUSTY CORRODED HOSES THAT WENT TO TRANSMISSION CAUSING ALL FLUID TO DRAIN ALMOST BURNING UP MY TRANSMISSION NO INDICATION LIGHTS EVER CAME ON OTHER THAN IT SKIPPING A LITTLE LUCKILY A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK LATER I TOOK IT TO GARAGE AND JUST IN TIME. UNFORTUNATELY EVEN WITH POWER TRAIN WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM IS COSTING ME 500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET NO FAULT OF MINE WHEEL WELLS AND BRAKE DRUMS HAVE BEEN BEATEN DUE TO LOTS OF RUST BUILD UP AND DOORS THAT WERE RECALLED AND FIXED THREE TIMES STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT ALSO FRONT HEADLIGHT REPLACED TWICE IN TWO YEARS CAUSING ME TO BE PULLED OVER TWICE AS I DID NOT REALIZE THE PROBLEM OF MY LIGHTS GOING OUT FREQUENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10202853
Incident
Sep 12, 2007
Mileage
71,700 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedTransmission+1 more
Filed Aug 26, 2006

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT! POWER WINDOW ASSEMBLY BROKE AND REPAIRED TWICE ON THE SAME DOOR, INOPERABLE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT, FRONT DASHBOARD GETS EXTREMELY HOT AT ALL TIMES, BRAKES SQUEAL ALL THE TIME (DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND WAS REMEDIED WITH CERAMIC BRAKE PADS AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS), TRANSMISSION HAS POOR SHIFTING PATTERN (BULLETIN PROVIDED A NEW SHIFT PROGRAM FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DEALER INSTALLED BUT IS RIGHT BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL PROBLEM AFTER 3 MONTHS). *JB

NHTSA ID
10166610
Incident
Aug 22, 2006
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2006

I HAVE REPLACE MY TAIL/BRAKE LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. JUST THIS MORNING I HAVE TO GO TO CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO GET MY BRAKE LIGHT REPLACED. IT COST ME 14.79 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. SO I DECIDED TO RESEARCH THE RECALLS TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. I REMEMBER GETTING A LETTER EARLIER INDICATING THAT THE LIGHT WOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT. THANK YOU, BETTY WILSON. *JB

NHTSA ID
10154925
Incident
Apr 10, 2006
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNED 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND WAS HAVING ROTOR PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT. THE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND WARPED ON THE INSIDE . THE TOTAL COST WAS $838.00 TO REPLACE THEMT. BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ROTORS. THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING AND VIBRATING WHEN TO TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. TALSO, HE BRAKES SQUEAKED IN REVERSE. T OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOW BEEN REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC.THE OWNER HA NOT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE OWNER KNEW THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10131385
Incident
Jul 15, 2005
Mileage
33,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Jul 8, 2005

DT: LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR IS NOT HOLDING THE CORRECT SETTINGS, AND CLICKS CONSTANTLY. THE MIRROR IS HITTING AGAINST SOMETHING, AND TURNS COMPLETELY TO THE GROUND. WHEN USING KEYLESS ENTRY THE MIRRORS ALSO TURN TO THE GROUND. THE MIRROR IS CHANGING BY ITSELF, AND IT IS NOT GOING BACK TO THE CORRECT SETTING. THE MIRROR IS ALWAYS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND IT IS FACING DOWNWARD. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR, AND FROM THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE HAS NOT WORKED. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 4 OR 5 TIMES TO BE CHECKED. DEALERSHIP INSISTS THE MIRROR IS WORKING FINE. BUT AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER LEAVES THE DEALERSHIP THE MIRROR WILL WORK FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND THEN STOP WORKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC DIDN'T WRITE DOWN THE PROBLEM WITH THE MIRROR IN HIS PAPERWORK, AND THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE JERKED AT TIMES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE REPROGRAMMING RESULTED IN POOR FUEL ECONOMY. THE CD PLAYER MADE A HISSING NOISE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WOULD GRIND. THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH SHORTED. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED. RIGHT SIDE TAG LIGHT BULB BLEW. *NM

NHTSA ID
10125094
Incident
Nov 4, 2004
Mileage
17,327 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2005

WITHOUT ANY SQUEALING IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS BEFORE THE BRAKE FAILURE, AS I WOULD EXPECT FROM DETERIORATING BRAKES, THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER EXT FAILED. FORTUNATELY, THE METAL TO METAL SOUND HEARD ON FEB. 4, 2005, ALERTED MY WIFE TO CALL OUR LOCAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTER. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, THIS CAR HAD 29,000 MILES ON IT. NOT ONLY DID THE DEALER FIND THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE DIGGING INTO THE ROTOR SURFACE, BUT THEY FOUND THE REAR BRAKES WORN LOW AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PORTION OF THE ROTOR ROTTED. AT 29,000 MILES, TOTAL BRAKE OVERHAUL SHOULD NOT OCCUR. WHY HAD THE EMRGENCY BRAKE PORTION OF THE ROTOR ROTTED? WHEN MY WIFE CALLED THE 800 NUMBER TO REPORT THIS TO CHEVROLET, LISA KOINE, CHEVY'S REPRESENTATIVE, CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT BRADY-STANNARD IN BREWSETE, NY, SHE RETURNED OUR CALL AND TOLD US THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. GIVE ME A BREAK.SINCE WHEN DO CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY #1276.79 FOR A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHAUL AT 29,000 MILES? SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, I NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE ROTORS HAD RUSTED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOOK THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I QUESTION THIS. I OWNED AN ISUZU TROOPER PRIOR TO THIS CAR, AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT REPLACED UNTIL 92,000 MILES. WHAT KIND OF INFERIOR PARTS IS CHEVROLET USING?

NHTSA ID
10126150
Incident
Feb 4, 2005
Mileage
29,000 mi
BrakesExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Mar 2, 2005

DEALER WAS CONTACTED JAN 2005 TO SCHEDULE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AS PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT THE RECALL NOTICE NUMBER THAT WAS SENT TO ME. CALLED BACK A DAY LATER AND GAVE THE DEALER THE NUMBER FROM THE RECALL NOTICE. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED AND THEY WOULD CALL ME. I RECEIVED A THIRD RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET ON 2/26/05 AND CALLED THE DEALER ON 3/2/05 AND SPOKE WITH A MAN IN SERVICE. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT ORDERED AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR THEM TO ORDER THE PARTS AND THEN AGAIN WHEN THE PARTS COME IN. I HAVE EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAVE REPLACED 6 TAILLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND WHY WASN'T I INFORMED OF THIS WHEN I CALLED BEFORE. APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT HAVE A CALL BACK PROCEDURE FOR WHEN THEY SCREW UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10112393
Incident
Mar 2, 2005
Mileage
8,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 23, 2004

THE BRAKES O MY 2003 EXT. TRAILBLAZER ARE MUSHY. WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND CONSTANT PRESSURE IS HELD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL CONTINUES TO GO TOWARD THE FLOOR. I WAS SHOWN ANOTHER EXT. TRAILBLAZER AT THE DEALERS THAT HAD BRAKES ACTING THE SAME WAY AND I WAS TOLD IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SUV'S AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BRAKE PERFORMANCE BEFORE. IN CLOSE TRAFFIC, I HAVE PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK DUE TO THE FEELING THAT I AM GOING TO RUN OUT OF PEDAL TRAVEL.

NHTSA ID
10088425
Incident
Feb 5, 2003
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+4 more
Filed Jun 14, 2004

FRONT END LOOSE, BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT DEFECTIVE/TWISTED. ROTORS WARPED NEEDED REPALCEMENT. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN DOOR. DIRVER SIDE MIRROR MOVES AROUND (PROGRAMED) WITHOUT NOTICE. TRANSMISSION ENGAGES ROUGH, FEELS LIKE IT SLIPPING. TAILGATE OUT OF ALLIGNMENT, REAR SEATBELT DEFECTIVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT, 4WD LOCKED UP IN PARKING LOT, FRONT END HAS SCRAPING NOISES WHEN TURNING, HEATED SEATS NOT WORKING, IRRATIC, TAILGATE PANEL FALLS OFF, DRIVER SEAT FRAME BROKEN NEEDED REPLACEMENT,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRRATIC. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075392
Incident
Jun 14, 2004
Mileage
6,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 27, 2004

EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE INCONSISTENTLY. WE REPLACE BULBS AND THEN THEY STILL DON'T WORK OR WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE BULBS ARE PREMATURELY BURNING OUT OR IF THE BRAKE LIGHT COMPONENT IS FAULTY. AT TIMES, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR WILL HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DANGEROUS!*AK

NHTSA ID
10067930
Incident
Apr 24, 2004
BrakesSuspension
Filed Apr 18, 2004

MY FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 24,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD OTHER SUV AND THIS SEEMS LIKE INFERIOR PRODUCTS ARE BEING USED. THE DEALER HAD TO TURN ROTORS AND ALSO REPLACE A TORSION BAR. I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR WORK, I HAVE A COMPANY CAR AND THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED ON IT AT ALMOST 45,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10066395
Incident
Apr 18, 2004
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting+3 more
Filed Mar 12, 2004

2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER - PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2003 OFF OF THE SALES FLOOR - AROUND 5 MILES ON IT - TRUCK BEGAN SQUEAKING - TOOK IT IN, THEY SAID BAD BREAK PADS, CHANGED THEM OUT AND GAVE IT BACK (2 DAYS WITHOUT TRUCK) - SQUEAKING STILL THERE - TOOK IT BACK IN - SERVICE TECH SAID THE FRONT SPINDLE WAS BENT - TOLD ME I COULDN'T DRIVE IT IT WAS UNSAFE (5 MORE DAYS WITHOUT TRUCK) - AT THE SAME TIME THEY TAKE TRUCK TO BODY SHOP BECAUSE REAR HATCH WON'T SHUT IT TOO IS BENT - SAME WITH THE HOOD (HMMMMMMMM!!!!) - REAR WIPER MOTOR THEN BUSTS (NOW I'M ERKED) - DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 AND TRUCK SHUTS OFF - NO POWER STEERING ALMOST WRECK IT SEEMS THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE!!!!!!! - THEN BLOWER MOTOR WON'T SHUT OFF WITHOUT TAKING FUSE OUT ... NO HEAT IN REAR HEATERS, CLIMATE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK (YET A FEW MORE DAYS WITHOUT TRUCK)- THE LAST STRAW - MY 9 MONTH OLD TRUCK HAS A BROKEN TRANSFER CASE AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WENT OUT - OF COURSE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WENT OUT ON A STEEP HILL IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER - NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ALASKA NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A NEW TRUCK!!!!!! - HAD TO GET OUT OF A DEFECTIVE TRUCK SO NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A BRAND NEW TAHOE THAT IS $10,000+ UPSIDE DOWN! YOU DECIDE WHO IS WRONG IN THIS CASE! *AK

NHTSA ID
10061979
Incident
Mar 12, 2004
Mileage
21,000 mi

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .