2003 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER EXT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
313 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 261 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 313 complaints (16.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 71 | 22.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 12.1% |
| Braking behavior | 32 | 10.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 52 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 36 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 29 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 22 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 11 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 |
Electrical System: 52; Fuel System, Gasoline: 36; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 29; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 22; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 11; Exterior Lighting: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 48 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 71 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 54 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 41 |
| 150,000 and above | 22 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 48; 50,000 to 74,999: 71; 75,000 to 99,999: 54; 100,000 to 149,999: 41; 150,000 and above: 22
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (71). 52 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 26 |
| 2006 | 40 |
| 2007 | 46 |
| 2008 | 41 |
| 2009 | 47 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2004: 19; 2005: 26; 2006: 40; 2007: 46; 2008: 41; 2009: 47; 2010: 23; 2011: 24; 2012: 11; 2013: 6; 2014: 11; 2015: 7; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 4; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 71 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10063947 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK, FREQUENTLY THE PUMP CLICKS OFF AND GAS SURGES UP THE FILLER NECK AND FLOWS TO THE GROUND. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104638 · 2004-12-28 (December 28, 2004)
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING TANK WITH GAS. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND THEY TIGHTENED THE GAS CAP AND THEN RESET THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND DROVE AROUND AND NO LIGHT CAME ON. THREE DAYS LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC AND THEY RAN MORE DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND THREE CRACK S IN THE OPENING (NECK) OF THE GAS TANK. I HAD TO HAVE THE TANK REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. A NEW GAS TANK ON A 2003 VEHICLE IS UNHEARD OF AND I WONDER HO…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056991 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
THIS VEHICLE IS 4 MONTHS OLD AND JUST ROLLED OVER TO 7000 MILES. IT IS IN THE SHOP CURRENTLY FOR THE SIXTH TIME AND HAS NOW BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION FOR OVER 30 DAYS. IT HAS HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS; VALVE BODY TWICE, TORQUE CONVERTER, SHIFT SOLENOID, BTSI SOLENOID, FLOOR SHIFTER (WITH CONSOLE) ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FOR THE SECOND TIME; 1ST TIME TO REPAIR PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND REPAIRED PER SERVICE BULLETIN. OBVIOUSLY THAT DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS I JUST HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,041 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075392 · 2004-06-14 (June 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 IRR…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066395 · 2004-04-18 (April 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067930 · 2004-04-27 (April 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101342 · 2004-11-19 (November 19, 2004)
NHTSA RECALL 04V527000, AFTER ALMOST BEING REAR ENDED CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER AND A NEW MOTHER BOARD WAS PUT ON. BATTERY EXPLODED. CONSUMER WENT TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AFTER DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS AND IT WILL NOT START.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060359 · 2004-03-04 (March 4, 2004)
THIS VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 21,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED SQUEALING WHEN WARM AND TURNING. THE DEALER I HAD IT REPLACED AT TOLD ME THAT NORMALLY THEY GET THESE VEHICLES IN TO REPLACE THE PUMP WHEN IT TOTALLY BREAKS AND STRANDS SOMEONE ON THE ROAD WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO STEER THEIR VEHICLE. AT 28,000 MILES, THE NEW PUMP IS MAKING THE EXACT SAME NOISE AND I AM TAKING IT IN AGAIN TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MY CONCERN IS, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLE'S STEERING IF IT BREAKS AND I ( OR MY WIFE ) AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I AM AFRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,229 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060860 · 2004-03-09 (March 9, 2004)
COMPLETE POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE. CRUISING UP THE INTERSTATE AT 65-70 MPH AND VEHICLE DASH WENT BLACK, STEERING LOCKED, COASTED TO ROADSIDE AND TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT TOOK 5 ATTEMPTS BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THIS HAPPENED TWICE MORE THE SAME DAY. DEALERSHIP HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS AND STATED THEY WERE "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN", BUT REPROGRAMMED THE PCM ANYWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 21,130 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058441 · 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)
TICK TICK TICK AT IDLE. ENGINE STALLS DURING IDLE - OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO SENSOR LEVEL THEN ENGINE STALLS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173095 · 2006-11-09 (November 9, 2006)
WE HAVE A 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE WE BOUGHT IT BRAND-NEW. IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASING IT DUE TO NEEDING THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN BACK IN FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES FOR ENGINE FAILURE AND PROBLEMS WITH THE GAUGES. WE HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE SPEEDOMETER PANEL REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE AND SPENT $1200 ON REPAIRS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. WE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER 2 MONTHS LATER DUE TO THE EXACT SAME DIFFICULTIES WITH THE ENGINE STALLING AND THEY TOLD US THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10173095 at NHTSA ↗