RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Airbags Problems

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

Data refreshed

Airbags 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.
57
Latest Apr 8, 2020
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.
6%
of 901 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.
45
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
48

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 57 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 airbag

The 25 most recent of 57, in the owner's own words

AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 8, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11320478
Incident
Apr 2, 2020
Mileage
200,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 16, 2017
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TAKATA RECALL - I BELIEVE THIS IS A TAKATA RECALL, THOUGHT I CAN'T FIND THE INFORMATION. I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. WE RECENTLY HAD A HIGH IMPACT COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURIES, DIRECTLY AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN WE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE ROAD ILLEGALLY.

NHTSA ID
11015816
Incident
Aug 12, 2017
Mileage
230,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 5, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE FRONT END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND LEFT ARM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10970795
Incident
Mar 25, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 1, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, I WAS GOING AROUND 10-15 MPH AND THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT WAS GOING FASTER THAN I WAS GOING. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THEY SHOULD DEPLOY BETWEEN 8-14 MPH. IS ANYONE HOLDING GENERAL MOTORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE? WE WERE ON A TWO LANE CITY STREET.

NHTSA ID
10969901
Incident
Mar 25, 2017
Mileage
195,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 28, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER DRIVER IN FRONT OF HER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A DEEP LACERATION TO THE KNEE AND A TORN LIGAMENT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10968955
Incident
May 13, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 9, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN WET WEATHER, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, DROVE OFF A CLIFF, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST, KNEE AND ARM INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING AGENCY WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 03/01/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID
10934115
Incident
Nov 29, 2016
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 25, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 78 MPH, A TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED LEFT SHOULDER AND NECK, AND A HEAD ABRASION, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10927873
Incident
Nov 22, 2016
Mileage
115,000 mi
AirbagsExterior lightingSeat belts
Filed Jul 7, 2016

MY HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND ON MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON MY SEAT BELT LIGHT STQAYS ON MY DASH BOARD LIGHT ARE OUT

NHTSA ID
10883188
Incident
Jun 7, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jun 3, 2016

AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS COME ON.

NHTSA ID
10872322
Incident
May 20, 2016
Mileage
190,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 5, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 25 TO 35 MPH, AN ANIMAL APPEARED IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.....UPDATED 06/15/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID
10863408
Incident
May 3, 2016
Mileage
135,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE HEAD AND A SEVERE BACK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

NHTSA ID
10850437
Incident
Feb 3, 2016
Mileage
186,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 22, 2016

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT STAY ON

NHTSA ID
10837405
Incident
Jun 20, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 2, 2015
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH UPHILL, A VEHICLE TRAVELING DOWNHILL CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND BRUISES TO THE ELBOW, CHEST, AND STOMACH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER WAS ALSO INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT WAS RELEASED THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID
10787837
Incident
Oct 29, 2015
Mileage
141,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 16, 2015

MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER WAS SITTING STILL AND WHEN I STARTED UP THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON.THIS HAPPENED ON 10/15/2015 @ 4:00 PM.

NHTSA ID
10782614
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
71,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10722757
Incident
Feb 12, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 27, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TRAIL T/A TIRES, SIZE: P245/65RI7. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THREADS FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, SHOULDER, ELBOW, AND HIP INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10721783
Incident
May 12, 2015
Mileage
116,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SPINE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 5/11/15*CN

NHTSA ID
10694201
Incident
May 6, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND LOST CONTROL CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDED ON ITS SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 5/11/2015*CN

NHTSA ID
10694190
Incident
Jun 6, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 5, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST, NECK, AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10681428
Incident
Jan 24, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 11, 2014

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS REMAINED ON SINCE IT STARTED. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT HOWEVER THEY INDICATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE EXPENSE WAS GOING TO BE OVER $1000 TO REPAIR, WHICH I DON'T HAVE. GIVEN THE RECENT RECALLS ON AIR BAGS, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION I FOUND RECENTLY ON YOUR SITE, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT MAY WARRANT RECALL/REPAIR FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND NOT OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663592
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 1, 2014
Crash reported1 death reported

2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSEQUENTLY, HE DIED FROM HIS INJURIES. *SS UPDATED 02/09/15. *JB

NHTSA ID
10654364
Incident
Oct 26, 2002
Airbags
Filed Nov 25, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK AND BACK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10660781
Incident
Nov 23, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 4, 2014
1 injury reported

DRIVER SIDE: SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE WHILE SITTING AT STOPLIGHT. AIRBAG STRUCK RECENT LEFT SHOULDER SURGERY CAUSING PAIN IN RECOVERING AREA. ALSO CAUSED LEFT EAR RINGING FOR A COUPLE HOURS. MECHANIC AND CHEVROLET HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652593
Incident
Nov 4, 2014
Mileage
263,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Sep 1, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVER 55 MILES ON NORTH I-35 FREEWAY ENGINE LOST POWER AND DRIVER HAD NO POWER STEERING NO POWER BRAKES HIT RIGHT SIDE WALL AND HIT LEFT SIDE WALL ON FREEWAY FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND SAFETY BELT PULLED OUT OF HOLDER AND DRIVER WAS THROWN ALL OVER AUTO DRIVER HAD CONTACTED GM MOTORS AND THEY SAID THE AUTO WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST AND WAS SAFE AUTO HAD ONE PREVIOUS PROBLEM AS ABOVE LOSS OF POWER BUT ENGINE PICK UP POWER AND RAN THIS ACCIDENT WAS JUST LIKE THE GM RECALL ON THE SWITCH THE DRIVER INJURY SEVERE AND MAY NEVER WALK AGAIN DRIVER HAS HAD TWO SURGERIES AND STILL IN THE HOSPITAL SINCE 6 15 2014 THIS NEEDS TO BE ON THE GM REPORT FOR DEFECT AUTO LIST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629873
Incident
Jun 15, 2014
Mileage
37,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 30, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A GUARD RAIL, SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606954
Incident
Aug 8, 2006

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 .