Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. 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. 33 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 33, in the owner's own words
SEE ATTACHED COMPLAINT TO GENERAL MOTORS. I HAVE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THERE SIMILAR YEAR TRAILBLAZERS.
FRAME FAILED DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVE CONDITION. FORWARD TO REVERSE GRINDING CAUSED BY SEPARATION OF FRAME.
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.
FLASHER MODULE, TRANSMISSION LEAK EVENING AFTER REPLACEMENT, UPPER CONTROL ARMS GOES OUT AFTER REPLACEMENT.
I'VE NOTICED THAT MY FRONT END WAS LOWER THAN USUAL. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE GIVING IN. I TOOK MY CAR TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES AND TO ALSO GET A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THAT IS WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE STRUT BASE THAT IS WELDED ONTO THE CHASSIS WAS ROTTING OFF. THE MECHANIC EXPRESSED THAT I WAS A VERY LUCKY GUY BECAUSE AT ANY POINT IN TIME DURING MY COMMUTE, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH SINCE I MOSTLY USE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY TO COMMUTE TO WORK. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL HE ACTUALLY SHOWED ME ALL THE ROTTED PARTS AND I WAS IN DEEP SHOCK ONCE I SAW WHAT HE WAS TELLING ME. I'M THANKFUL THAT THE CARS STRUT WAS LEANING ON THE INNER FENDER FRAME PREVENTING IT FROM COMPLETELY FALLING TO THE GROUND. I ASKED THE MECHANIC HOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAVE HAPPEN AND HE EXPLAINED THAT SINCE WE LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE IT SNOWS, THE SALT THAT IS APPLIED ON THE ROADS GETS TRAPPED INTO THE SLOTTED HOLES OF THE CHASSIS AND DETERIORATES WITH TIME. IT IS UNKNOWN OF THE TIME OF WHICH THE CHASSIS HAD BEGUN ROTTING.
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (DASHBOARD). ALL GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY QUITS WORKING, ON STARTUP, SITTING RUNNING OR IN MOTION. TACHOMETER NEVER READS CORRECTLY. CAN OCCASIONALLY GET GAUGES TO RESET BY CLICKING IGNITION BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN RUN AND START POSITIONS. I KNOW OF 5 OTHER VEHICLE'S THAT ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
WAS MAKING A LANE CHANGE ON PERFECT ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE BACK END OF THE TRAILBLAZER STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. VEERED INTO THE MEDIAN AND WAS ABOUT TO DRIVE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. CRANKED HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES. *TR
2003 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER. NOTICED VERY ODD WEAR PATTERN ON FRONT TIRES. FRONT END OF CAR SEEMED "LOOSE". NO ACCIDENT, CAR JUST HARD TO STEER ACCURATELY. TOOK TO DEALER. BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. FRONT STRUTS WERE SHOT. DEALER REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINTS AND STRUTS. I'M A LITTLE OLD LADY WHO DRIVES IN TOWN - ONLY 65,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND FRONT END IS GOING OUT. POUR QUALITY! DEALER SAID FRONT END WORN BECAUSE CAR HAS 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND IS HEAVIER THAN PASSENGER CAR. I DO NOT DRIVE OFF ROAD. REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. NO HELP ON 60,000 MILE FRONT TIRES COMPLETELY SHOT IN 17,000. *TR
2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. UNSAFE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS WHEN TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ANIMAL IN ROAD. UNSAFE REAR END SWAY. *TR
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED ON MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LTZ. THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF IT HAPPENED 2 DAYS PRIOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING OUT OF TOWN ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH. A NEW CONTROL ARM HAS TO BE INSTALLED. I HAVE THE DEALER SAVING THE OLD PARTS INCLUDING THE BOLT. I FOUND THE BOLT HEAD AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY. *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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. FOR QUITE SOME TIME, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SWAY BAR WAS LOOSE BECAUSE THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THE BAR. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT PAID $307 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/24/08. *JB
WATER HAS BEEN SEEN SEVERAL TIMES DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK IN THE CENTER AREA. IT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. NO WET WEATHER AT THE TIME. IT APPEARS TO BE SOME SORT OF CONDENSATION. ALSO FAN CLUTCH FAILURE, SWAY BAR LINKAGES FAILURE, TIE-ROD FAILURE, RACK AND PINION FAILURE/LEAK, CONTROL ARM FAILURES 2 TIMES, WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD NOT TURN OFF FAILURE, WINDSHIELD WIPER RESERVOIR TANK LEAK REPLACED, AC COLD AIR FAILURE. ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
FRONT END MAKING POPPING AND CREAKING NOISES WHILE OPERATING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINKS, FRONT END LINKS, AND THE FRONT STABILIZER SHAFT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINKS, FRONT END LINKS, AND THE FRONT STABILIZER SHAFT WERE DEFECTIVE AGAIN. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
2003 TRAILBLAZER FUEL LINE AND FUEL PUMP RUSTED AND BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL. *TS THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 800.00 DOLLARS. THE FILLER NECK WAS LEAKING AT THE FUEL TANK. THE FRONT PINION AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THE FRONT STABILIZER LINKS WERE REPLACED. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE LEFT REAR SWAY BAR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SWAY BAR LINK WAS LOOSE AND THE SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVING A REGULAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. IN ADDITION, NHTSA RECALL, #04V527000 REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS IN THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CONTACTED. IN ADDITION, RESURFACED REAR ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS. ALSO, REPLACED REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM. THE DOOR LOCSK WERE INOPERATIVE. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK
2003 TRAILBLAZER - REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT PRESENT WHEN STARTED. WOULD ACCELERATE TO 15MPH. RATTLE OR GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING OR DRIVING OVER BUMPS. DROVE TO BEATY CHEVROLET KNOXVILLE TN TUES, 2/7/06. REPLACED THROTTLE ASSEMBLY & ADVISED NOISE WAS FROM MISALIGNED HOOD. TRAILBLAZER PICKED UP ON FRI, 2/10/06. PAID $200. EXT WARRANTY DED. GAS EMPTY STOPPED TO FILL UP. WHILE DRIVING NOTICED FUEL GAUGE PAST FULL MARK, APPEARED TO BE POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN. NOTICED TACHOMETER REGISTERED 6500 RPMS. CALLED BEATY CHEVROLET. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSED. NEXT DAY FUEL GAUGE APPEARS CORRECT. AFTER A WEEK REFUELED AND NOTICED FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECT AGAIN. NOTICED STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED & VEHICLE SMOKING. CALLED TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS ON 2/28/06. WAS UNABLE TO MAKE APPOINTMENT RESCHEDULED FOR TUES 3/9/06. BEATY INFORMED THAT IT MUST BE GUAGE SENSOR AND NOT RELATED TO PREVIOUS REPAIR WORK SO ANOTHER $200. DEDUCTIBLE WOULD BE DUE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT FUEL ODOR NOR SMOKING. I DISAGREED WITH THE $200 CHARGE DUE TO VEHICLE BEING DEFECTIVE WHEN I PICKED IT UP FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON THE FIRST VISIT. BEATY CHEV. SAID THEY DID NOT LOOK AT THE TACHOMETER NOR FUEL GAUGE WHEN THEY SERVICE VEHICLES SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. LOL .. I CALLED GM WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT WAIVE THE $200 AND SAID THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY THOUGHT GM WOULD WAIVED BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE GUAGE SENSORS. HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THEY DID NOT CHECK THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BEING REPAIRED THE FIRST VISIT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING REDUCED POWER THROTTLE ASSEMBLY, GUAGE MALFUNCTIONS, AND GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND FEEL THAT GM SHOULD RECALL AND REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE PAID. VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING GRINDING NOISE AND NOW SEEMS TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN BRAKE IS RELEASED. I NEED HELP AND ANY ADVICE YOU HAVE TO OFFER. *NM
I HAVE A TRAIL BLAZER,CHEVROLET 2003 FOR WHICH I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE BUSHINGS/LINKS OVER 6-7 TIMES. THE PART IN REFERENCE IS MADE IN A MATERIAL "CALAMINE"??? WHICH IS NOT A METAL AND BREAKS EASILY. THERE IS NOT A CAMPAIGN ON THAT PART, YET I KNOW SEVERAL TRAIL BLAZER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LINKS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION CAME OUT IN IRON OR SOME TYPE OF METAL. I AM TOTALLY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NOT LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
DT: 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZER LINKS KEEPS COMING LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED VEHICLE 5 TIMES. THEY REPLACED THE STABILIZER LINKS 5 TIMES. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ALSO REPLACED THE STABILIZER LINKS. THE VEHICLE SHOOK, AND SHIMMIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING A CORNER. THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AND THERE WAS ALSO NOISE AT THAT TIME. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ON DECEMBER 22, 2004. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WORKING CORRECTLY. THERE WAS A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS SHIFTING CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT TO IT TO A DEALERSHIP , AND THEY TEST DROVE VEHICLE. THEY STATE THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC WAS ON VACATION AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT IN AT A LATER TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 2/13/2006 - *NM
FRONT END LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUSPENSION VERY LOOSE. SOUNDS LIKE I HAVE A BOX WASHES IN FRONT. *JB
THESE ARE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS FIXED AT THE DEALER WITH THIS TRUCK SO FAR: REAR SWAY BAR LINKS REPLACED, REAR WIPER BLADE CAME OUT OF ALIGNMENT 2 TIMES, RIGHT REAR DOOR IS WARPED, DRIVER SIDE REAR MOLDING IS LOOSE, BACK PLATE RUBBER SEAL OUT OF ALIGNMENT, WINDSHIELD WIPER TANK REPLACED SINCE IT WAS LEAKING, A/C LOW PRESSURE SWITCH INOP THEN REPLACED, WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE REPLACED BECAUSE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, SWAY BAR LINKS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. ALL OF THESE HAVE BROKEN OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS AND NINE MONTHS AND DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW FOR THAT DOOR IS LOOSE. STILL IS A NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT MAKES A HARD KNOCK ONTO THE STEERING COLUMN BUT DEALER DENIES HEARING IT. *NM
DT: CONTACT STATES TANK GAS CRACKED IN JUNE AND SHE HAD A NEW ONE PUT ON. THEY DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING.. THEY NOTICED A GAS LEAK, AND THAT WAS WHEN THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK. SHE BOUGHT NEW TIRES ON 7-7-05 ,AND NOW THEY DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. ALSO, HEARD A ROARING NOISE, AND TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER ON 7-20-05. SHE HAS NOT TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER YET. THE CAR HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT. VEHICKE IS A 2003 GM TRAILBLAZER. *AK
DT: CALLER SAYS THE BALL JOINTS STARTED GOING BAD ON JANUARY 13, 2005. THE RIGHT FRONT FELL OFF, AND WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND AT 40,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AND AT 43000 MILES THE RIGHT AND LEFT WERE DEFECTIVE. DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS AND THE SPINDLES. MANUFACTURER SAID CONSUMER COULD TRADE THE VEHICLE IN AND WOULD GIVE HIM $750.00. IN ADDITION, CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND FELT HE WAS BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE MANUFACTURER HAD THE UPPER HAND. *AK
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
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