RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
26
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.
8%
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.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 26 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 visibility

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

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
Visibility
Filed Aug 30, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TRIED TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN BUT IT FAILED. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A FEW HOURS AND THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO WORK. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW TIMES AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,843.

NHTSA ID
10473007
Incident
Aug 21, 2012
Mileage
193,843 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 18, 2011

I WAS AT WORK ON 8-18-2011 WHEN CO WORKERS ASKED ME IF I HAD A BLACK CHEVY TRAILBLAZER BECAUSE SOMEONE SAW MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODE. I WENT OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS GLASS ALL OVER THE GROUND OUTSIDE AND MY WINDOW WAS BROKEN IN LITTLE PIECES. I CAME HOME AND SEARCHED THE WEB FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I FOUND THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND THERE WAS A NUMBER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. I CALLED THEM BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE AREN'T ANY OPEN RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *KB

NHTSA ID
10420048
Incident
Aug 18, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 22, 2010

2003 TRAIL BLAZER WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT STOP EVEN WHEN SHUT OFF. *DT

NHTSA ID
10321341
Incident
Mar 12, 2010
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Sep 8, 2009

THE REAR WINDSHIELD CAME UNHINGED FROM THE REAR DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283150
Incident
Sep 5, 2009
Powertrain (other)SteeringVisibility
Filed Apr 21, 2009

STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD WOULD GO BACKWARDS HAD JUST HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED 1 YEAR BEFORE ONLY HAD 79K MILES BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW BOTH DRIVER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT SEAL TO FRONT DRIVER DOOR TRANSMISSION REPLACE PWR STEERING--RACK AND PINIONS AND USUALLY HAVE REGULAR CHECK UP WORST CAR I HAVE EVER BOUGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266191
Incident
Feb 17, 2009
Visibility
Filed Jan 26, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRIALBLAZER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND OFF AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT USING THE SWITCH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V046000 COMPONENT: VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT HIS VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10256424
Incident
Jan 25, 2009
Mileage
160,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 10, 2008

WINDSHIELD LOOSENS FROM SEAL , HAD REPLACED 1 TIME AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN SOON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10251408
Incident
Dec 5, 2008
Mileage
85,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Sep 23, 2008

WHERE SHOULD I START? PURCHASED 03 TRAILBLAZER IN 2/08 W/ONLY 60,000 MILES. HAS BEEN IN SHOP 3 MONTHS..LOST COUNT OF COSTS. A/C AND HEAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY..NO HOT AIR; CLUTCH FAN REPLACED; TRANSMISSION SLIPPING; ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE AT STOP-LIGHT. SHOULD I GO ON? YOU WOULD THINK W/ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT--IT WAS JUST GETTING BROKEN IN. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DISAPPOINTED IN A TRUCK BEFORE..NOW I AM STUCK WITH THE TRUCK AND ITS PAYMENT...NO MORE MONEY TO REPAIR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE IN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243198
Incident
Feb 28, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 3, 2008

DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW FALLS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, INTO THE DOOR. WILL NOT ROLL UP INTO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION WHEN ELECTRIC WINDOW SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. MUST MANUALLY PUSH THE GLASS INTO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION, HOWEVER, AS STATED ABOVE, IT WILL FALL WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CREATES A SERIOUS HAZARD IN THAT WHEN THE WINDOW FALLS WITHOUT WARNING, NOT ONLY CAN THE DRIVER BE STARTLED AND MAKE A DRIVING ERROR, BUT ALSO, GIVEN THE EXTERIOR CONDITIONS, CREATE A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING / OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229690
Incident
Jun 2, 2008
Mileage
53,122 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 13, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LTZ. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT HAS TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO DEACTIVATE THEM AND PLACE THE FUSE BACK TO ACTIVATE THEM AGAIN. SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 04V046000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 103,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10196257
Incident
Oct 12, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 1, 2007
1 injury reported

ON APRIL 29, 2007, WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE PREPARING TO GO OUT TO THE STORE, THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SHATTERED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND THERE IS NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THIS EVENT. GLASS FROM THE WINDOW WENT EVERYWHERE AND EVEN STRUCK MY 6 YEAR OLD SON IN THE LEG. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOW WILL OCCUR ON 5/2/07. *TR

NHTSA ID
10189337
Incident
Apr 29, 2007
Mileage
89,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 11, 2007

THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER WINDOW BEGAN TO GRIND WHEN LETTING IT UP AND DOWN THEN IT QUIT WORKING. THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING SOON AFTER. THE WINDOWS CURRENTLY HAVE A SUCTION CUP HOLDING THEM UP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182238
Incident
Jan 28, 2006
Mileage
88,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 31, 2006

RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN AND THEN WOULD NOT COME UP. WINDOW GLASS WAS LOOSE WOULD NOT STAY UP. TOOK TO DEALER. WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $350.00. *NM

NHTSA ID
10177425
Incident
Nov 30, 2006
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
Visibility
Filed Aug 24, 2006

DRIVER/PASSENGER ELECTRIC WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS IN THAT WINDOW WILL FALL/LOWER ITSELF. DEALER STATED THE ELECTRIC REGULATORS THAT AID/ASSIST THE WINDOW IN RAISING/LOWERING CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10166481
Incident
May 1, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 17, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE REAR RIGHT AUTOMATIC WINDOW WAS OPENED, THERE WAS A GROANING NOISE, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE WINDOW SLIDING OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WINDOW MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID
10165718
Incident
Aug 12, 2006
Visibility
Filed Feb 12, 2006

SHATTERED REAR WINDOW OF 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET THE REAR WINDOW IMPLODED FROM NO OUTSIDE FORCE FILLING THE CARGO AREA WITH GLASS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10150063
Incident
Feb 11, 2006
Mileage
25,783 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 30, 2005

YOU START TO HEAR A NOISE WHEN THE WINDOW IS BEING PUT UP OR DOWN, THEN EVENTUALLY THE MECHANICS OF THE WINDOW BREAK AND THE WINDOW FALLS INTO THE SOCKET AND WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. TWO OF MY WINDOWS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED, COSTING ME SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS LATER. SAME SITUATION IN TWO OF MY FRIENDS CARS. SAME MAKE AND MODEL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10134832
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
45,000 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
Visibility
Filed May 5, 2005

DT: LAST YEAR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THEN LAST WEEK THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR WINDOW COMPLETELY EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT WHEN NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR. THE CHEVROLET FILE #1329931557. A SEPARATE PAINT CLAIM #5858627-01. THE CONSUEMR BELIEVES THE GLASS ON THE CAR IS FAULTY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 40'S. *NM

NHTSA ID
10119960
Incident
Apr 21, 2005
Mileage
17,500 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
Visibility
Filed Feb 9, 2005

AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING OF MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT EXT, MY HEAT (AUTO. DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL) BEGINS TO BLOW COLD AIR, AND DURING THE SUMMER IT BLOWS HOT AIR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110210
Incident
Jul 25, 2004
Visibility
Filed Jul 20, 2004

THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE HIS WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED AFTER HE WAS CAUGHT INTO RAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER HAVING THEM REPLACED HE RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL TO HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED AT NO COST; HOWEVER, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT HIS SAFETY WAS PUT IN JEOPARDY, BECAUSE HE HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT WIPERS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10083280
Incident
Jul 15, 2004
Mileage
29,000 mi
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

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .