Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 80 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.
The 25 most recent of 80, in the owner's own words
Transmission doesn’t have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VIBRATION WAS MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING. ALSO, WHILE ASCENDING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS, CONTROL ARMS, AND TENSION BELT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
OVERHEATING, REPLACED WATER PUMP THERMOSTAT CLUTCH FAN, RADIATOR IS GOOD, FUEL VALVE AND CLUTCH FAN ALL NEW, STILL OVERHEATING WHEN IT'S HOT OR CITY DRIVING WITH STOP AND GO. MECHANIC REPORTS HE CANNOT FIND ANYTHING CAUSING IT. FOUND INFO ON 2004 PCM CLUTCH FAN SETTING BUT, NOT 2003
SOON AS I DROVE OFF THE CAR LOT MY MOTER LOCKED UP. IT WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD , AND EVENTUALLY JUST WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND 18 WHEELERS ALMOST HIT ME BECAUSE IT WENT OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
ON AUGUST 26, 2015 WE PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FROM WALI'S AUTO SALES IN ENOLA, PA. IT HAD 93,907 MILES ON IT AND APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH A CLEAN CAR FAX. WE TRADED IN OUR 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND RECEIVED $1700 IN TRADE IN VALUE PURCHASING THE TRAILBLAZER FOR $5722.70 INCLUDING TAX AND TRANSFER FEES. BRAKES AND BALL JOINTS HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION LINE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN ALIGNMENT AS SOON AS WE PURCHASED IT. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES AND THEN ON SEPTEMBER 17TH LEFT HOME WITH INTENTIONS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO STOWE VERMONT. AT 11:30 AM ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 17TH (APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS INTO OUR TRIP) THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BRAKES CLOSE TO SCRANTON, PA. THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND WITHIN 7 MINUTES THE VEHICLE BURNED UP. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT READABLE. THE SCRANTON FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED ALONG WITH PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE AND THE FORTY FORT POLICE. WE HAVE A COPY OF THE FIRE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A LOCAL TOW COMPANY. MY WIFE AND I ESCAPED INJURY. WE HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE THROUGH STATE FARM WHICH COVERED TOWING AND FIRE COMPANY EXPENSES. WALI'S GAVE US A 30 DAY WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED SINCE THE INCIDENT THAT THERE IS A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE BUT IS NOT FORTHCOMING IN ALLOWING US TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE ENGINE WILL SURGE OR JUMP AS MUCH AS 2000 RPM'S AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD IT. GO TO NEUTRAL LET IT REV THEN IT WILL COME BACK TO NORMAL. THE LAST TIME WAS ON A SNOW PACKED INTERSECTION WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. THE BAD THING IS YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO DO IT. HAD IT TO SEVERAL GARAGES AND NOBODY CAN DUPLICATE IT AND IT SHOWS NO CODES. *TR
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
THE REDUCED POWER KICKS IN AND CHECK ENGINE. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE IT IS NOW HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MAKE A RECALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
DRIVING FROM OUT OF TOWN AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN RPS RAN HIGH AND TRANS WOULD NOT SHIFT. IT WOULD CATCH FINALLY AND THEN SLIP OUT HAD TO DRIVE IT IN 1ST GEAR. HAD IT REBUILT LASTED 1 YR AND NOW BACK IN SHOP! HAVING IT REBUILT AGAIN. VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ON IT AT LEAST ONCE SOME THINGS TWICE. VERY POOR MADE VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MECHANIC STATES IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS IN TRAILBLAZERS OVERHEAT WHICH CAUSES THESE ISSUES. HOW CAN GM SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING THEY ARE CHARGING 36,000.00 FOR A PIECE OF JUNK! I HAVE TO WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY AND DON'T APPRECIATE THE WAY GM TURNS A DEAF EAR TO THEIR POOR WORKMANSHIP AND DESIGN. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE FRUSTRATION! *TR
MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ACCOMPANIED BY THE LOW ENGINE POWER LIGHT. THE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE THAT ALLOWS THE COMPUTER TO PROTECT THE ENGINE FROM ANY DAMAGE SHOULD SOMETHING GO WRONG. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY (6-8). CHANGING SENSORS DOESN'T FIX IT. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER COMPUTER. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT OR MAKES AN EMERGENCY SITUATION A FATAL ONE. *TR
THE CAR TAKES OFF AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO ALLOW SHIFT CHANGE. IT AUTOMATICALLY CHANGES ON IT'S ON. TRANSMISSION STARTING TO SLIP. *TR
THE ENGINE JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. *TR
BOUGHT USED FROM A DEALER. HAD FOR 2 DAYS WHEN HAD FIRST PROB THAT WAS FIXED GOT BACK AFTER A WEEK. RAN GREAT. DROVE FOR 1 DAY AND RAN GOOD, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO PULL ONTO MAIN HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD. BACKED UP FINE BUT NO FORWARD. I FINALLY GOT IT TO CRAWL FORWARD. AFTER A LIL WHILE IT KICKED BACK IN AND RAN FINE TIL I STOPPED AGAIN. FINALLY I MADE IT HOME AND PARKED IT. AFTER THEY FINALLY CAME AND TOWED IT AND "FIXED" IT I HAD IT AND DROVE IT FOR 1 DAY AND HAD SAME PROBLEM. AFTER IT SAT FOR A WHILE IT DID GO AGAIN. PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND PARKED IT. STILL WAITING FOR IT TO BE TOWED AND "FIXED" AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY RIGHT THIS TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND IT HAPPENS A LOT. SOUNDS LIKE IT MIGHT BE THE FAN CLUTCH OR SUN SHELL SPLINE. NOT SURE YET THOUGH. CALLED MECHANIC THAT DEALER HAD FIX IT AND THEY ONLY CHANGED A VALVE IN TRANNY THEY THOUGHT WAS BAD. SAID THEY HAVE ABOUT 3 MORE OF THEM TO CHECK BEFORE THEY REPLACE WHOLE TRANNY. I HOPE MORE PEOPLE RESEARCH THESE VEHICLES AND DON'T BUY THEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES AND THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMPED STARTED IN ORDER TO GET THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT EITHER ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUN 2003. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, VARIOUS RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR STEERING, BRAKE LIGHTS AND REAR HATCH LOCKING/HANDLE ASSEMBLY. SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN A LEMON. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED TWICE (FIRST ONE I PAID FOR, SECOND INDEPENDENT AND VERY RELIABLE MECHANIC SHOP PAID). NEXT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. LATER, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. I ALSO HAD TO GET THE COMPUTER CHECKED AND RESET TO AVOID SURGING ENGINE RPM AND RESULTANT SPEED DEVIATIONS. REACHING A POINT OF FRUSTRATION AS NEVER BEFORE, I WROTE GM ASKING FOR CONSIDERATION REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I KNOW THEY RECEIVED THE EMAIL SINCE I HAD A "RECEIPT REQUESTED" FEATURE ACTIVATED IN MY OFFICE COMPUTER. I SENT A SECOND EMAIL STATING I WAS AWARE OF THE EMAIL RECEIPT AND THAT I EXPECTED A RESPONSE. NO SUCH LUCK. ALL THESE PROBLEMS MANIFESTED THEMSELVES WELL BEFORE THE 100,000 MILES WERE REACHED. NOW AT APPROXIMATELY 132,000 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO A CRACK, THE VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS GONE TO ZERO AND BACK TO NORMAL SEVERAL TIMES AND THE LATEST IS AN ENGINE NOISE THAT MY VERY RELIABLE, 6 YEAR AUTO SERVICE PROVIDER HAS TOLD BE IS RELATED TO THE TIMING BELT ASSEMBLY/MOUNT POINTS AND AS IT GETS LOUDER, THE ENGINE WILL BE GETTING READY TO FAIL. SO, I READ ALL THESE COMPLAINTS TODAY AND FELT LIKE I COULD HAVE SUMMARIZED EVERYONE'S COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS. I AM AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR AND HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE MOST UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS CARS EVER BUILT. SHAME THE FEDS HAVE NOT TAKEN THE EXTRA STEPS TO REMEDY THE ISSUES AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS YET, THEY WENT AFTER TOP SELLING TOYOTA AT A TIME WHEN THE AMERICAN MADE CARS WERE BARELY ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT. WONDER? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
I AM FILING A COMPLAINT .AND WILL CONTINUE TO FILE COMPLAINTS UNTIL ALL OF THE CONSUMERS ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. I UNDERSTAND THAT GM IS NOT WILLING TO HOLD THEIRSELFS LIABLE FOR THESE ISSUES ,BUT PEOPLE SPEND PRETTY PENNIES OUT OF POCKET TO PURCHASE VEHICLES FROM THESE MANUFACTURERS TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AFTER JUST A SHORT WHILE OF OWNING THESE . I HAVE RESEARCHED ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE , AND I AM HAVING ALL THE ABOVE LISTED ISSUES , AND DO NOT WISH TO SPEND LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO PAY FOR THESE COST CONSIDERING I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS VEHICLE . I JUST SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTIVE ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS ,AND HAVE SET UP AN APPOINMENT TO PAY A DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS , BUT AM HOPING THAT I CAN GET CLOSURE ON THESE ISSUES WITHOUT PAYING BIG EXPENSES. I HOPE EVERYONE ELSE WILL FOLLOW SUIT AND KEEP INPUTTING YOUR COMPLAINTS UNTIL THEY ARE RESOLVED. MY VEHICLE ISSUES ARE THE FAN CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACED, MY GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED ALREADY,JUST REPLACED MY SERPINTINE BELT THIS MORNING, MY EXTERIOR LIGHTS (BRAKE/TURN SIGNAL) HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES OVER TWO MONTHS, AND ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON , SOMETHING DOESNT SEEM RIGHT UNDERNEATH THIS VEHICLE EITHER. I JUST FEEL LIKE I AM PAYING FOR A PEICE OF JUNK ON TOP OF PAYING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE RUNNING. OH YEA THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TO HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF BODY WORK DONE AS WELL THANKS TO MOTHER NATURE. I JUST HOPE THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THIS RESPONSIBILTY OF THEIRS ,NOT OURS. *TR
IN JULY 2010 MY TRAILBLAZERS CLUTCH FAN AND THERMOSTAT WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS MODEL THAT WERE ON THE INTERNET. THEN IN OCTOBER MY TACHOMETER STARTED ACTING UP, IT BROKE NOVEMBER 24, 2010. THE SPEEDOMETER BROKE ON DECEMBER 3, 2010. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE CLUTCH FAN GOING OUT AND THE CLUSTER GOING OUT ON THE INTERNET. SOMEONE AT WORK HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR ENVOY AND IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT AND THEIR CLUTCH FAN GOING OUT. ALL AT FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN GM FOR NOT WANTING TO REPAIR THESE ISSUES SO THE CONSUMER BEARS THE COSTS OF REPAIR WHICH IS ABOUT 500 FOR THE CLUTCH FAN AND THERMOSTAT AND 400 FOR THE CLUSTER.
2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH FAN CLUTCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ONCE THE RPM WENT UP, THE FAN CLUTCH WOULD DISENGAGE AND THEN SOUND NORMAL. THE FAN CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING LESS THEN 10 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED . THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN RESTART IT. THE CONTACT CONSULTED A PRIVATE MECHANIC ABOUT THE FAILURE AND HE STATED THAT NO CODES WILL APPEAR IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE . THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51236.
FAN CLUTCH- SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE TAKING OFF UNTIL RPM IS UP THEN CLUTCH DISENGAGES AND SOUNDS NORMAL AGAIN. I'VE SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, BUT STILL NO RECALL! WHY NOT????? *TR
2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER FAILED *GR THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD REGISTER AS HIGH AS 120 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $550 FOR A REPLACEMENT CLUSTER. THE REAR PASSENGER TAILLIGHT AND PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED. THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC NOTED A BROKEN BOLT IN THE WATER PUMP THAT HELD DOWN THE HOUSING AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *JB
2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER - FAN CLUTCH - HAVING TO REPLACE FAN CLUTCH AFTER REPLACING LESS THAN 2 YRS AGO. *TR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .