2003 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER: complaints, problems and recalls

RIGHT REAR TIRE POPPED / BLEW OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH. VEHICLE IS A 17 DAY OLD 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF MY 6 YEAR OLD CHILD AS WELL AS MYSELF WHILE DRIVING ON A "REPAIRED" TIRE, THAT MAY POSSIBLY HAVE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT WITH THE TIRE. THE DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEEM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT CONVINCING ME THAT I MUST HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OK, BECAUSE THEY WILL REPAIR THE TIRE.

Owner-reported narrative. 674 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000383 at NHTSA ↗

TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP, 4 WD LIGHTS MOVE ON ITS OWN, THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR, I REQUESTED THAT I DO NOT WANT THIS CAR BACK, BUT THEY INSIST THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, NOW WITH MY CHILDREN 2 AND 16 YEARS IN THE CAR THE 4WD LIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE CAR LOCKED UP AND WE SKID DOWN THE STREET. I DONOT WANT THIS CAR BACK, I FEEL IT WILL KILL ONE OR ALL OF US WITH THIS LOCK UP OF TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE THANK GOD IT HAS NOT HAPPENED ON THE FREWAY I FEEL WE WOULD BE DEAD. THE CARS A LEMO0N AND I AM NOT WAIT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005172 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT END CREAK WHEN ON ANY BUMPY ROAD SURFACE. DRIVERS FRONT SEAT CREAKS AT SEATBELT MOUNT ON BUMPS AS WELL

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007790 at NHTSA ↗

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ON- STAR SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO CONNECTION TO A DISPATCHER. 8NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012302 at NHTSA ↗

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014796 at NHTSA ↗

NEW VEHICLE DELIVERED WITH DANGEROUS FACTORY DEFECT: GAS FILLER TUBE HAS CRACK- ALLOWS FUEL TO SPILL OUT DURING FUELING OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE PART ON HAND FOR REPAIR. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016162 at NHTSA ↗

I AM HAVING A ISSUE WITH GM ON THE CHILD COMFORT GUIDES, OR LACK OF, ON OUR 2003 TRAILBLAZER. ON PAGE 1-27 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL IT SHOWS A COMFORT GUIDE THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE LOCATED IN A POCKET ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. I HAVE TALKED TO 3 DEALERS AND A REP AT MY-GM LINK. THE DEALERS DID THE BEST THAT WAS POSSIBLE BUT I FEEL THAT THE INFORMATION THE REP AT MY-GM LINK PROVIDED WOULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD. APPARENTLY GM HAS A KIT THAT COULD BE INSTALLED BY ATTACHING A BRACKET WITH A TETHER AND A CLIP THAT HOOKS AROUND THE SEAT BELT TO PROVIDE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016668 at NHTSA ↗

GAS FILLER TUBE OVERFLOWS ON TO THE GROUND ALMOST EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS FILLED UP WITH GAS. HAS DONE THIS SINCE PURCHASE. TESTED DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS PUMPS THINKING THAT WAS THE CAUSE BUT IT DOES THIS AT ALL OF THEM ABOUT A SECOND OR SO AFTER THE PUMP CLICKS OFF. ALSO THE FILLER TUBE BOOT HAS A BUILT IN HOLE FOR THE GAS TO DRAIN ON TO THE GROUND....WHICH ( ON THE BETTER SIDE I GUESS) DOES KEEP IT FROM GETTING ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON OCCASION.

Owner-reported narrative. 11 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017080 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN ADDITION, THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVERRIDE THAT CAN ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.

Consequence: THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ELIMINATE THESE CONDITIONS BY DISABLING THE OVERRIDES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Reported: 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THE BRAKE PIPE PARTIALLY OR FULLY FRACTURED, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD IMMEDIATELY INCREASE AND FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.

Consequence: IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-8006.

Reported: 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CAN LEAD TO THE CORROSION OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MODULE.

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Reported: 2004-11-01 (November 1, 2004)

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Reported: 2005-05-05 (May 5, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.