2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 313 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (25% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 313 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“One by one things have been going out and not working. First the car would not start all the time with the key, then the a/c stoped working, next was the fuel pump, then the injectors. I checked everything it could be. I was driving with my kids down the highway when my car just died lost power steering so it was hard to get off the road fast. I got it started and was driving and it did it again. I was able to finally get it home when it would not start again. After some research online found out this car has issues with the fuse box itself under the hood. I opened it up just to find the wording that connected the pins was broken in numerous places and had started to burn up in the box.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2018
“When driving for 30 to 45 mins all the instruments on dash start sticking and reading wrong information. In the picture my car is parked .”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2018
“The electronic throttle module to pcm communication error comes up and the vehicle starts the warm up process and then dies in the process of warm up procedures. I guess my question to you is how can I fix this or does a deal need to fix it or is there a recall on this issue?”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving down road on the way to hospital and trailblazer made a loud clunk. Then started making a whirring noise. Finished driving slowly to hospital as not to mess anything else up. Pulled in and parked. Got ready to leave hospital and had no reverse only foward.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2017
“The ABS light has come on and then it would work sometimes and not other times. Now it never works. Now that its winter I'm sliding at stop signs that aren't even that slippery. The actuators in the heating and cooling are not working properly. All summer I had heat blowing all the time and suddenly there would be nothing. Now it's cold air all the time. Makes my windows fog up and not defrost. I have done the reset procedure and hear things moving but it doesn't fix it. The blower in the ball seat and third row is hit or miss for even working at all.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Apr 2017
“I have replaced the front differential twice in 10 months. I bought new parts for it not used that were redone to get rid of the problems it had now it has gone again. This time I haven't even used the four wheel drive yet since the last repair. I have research it and I noticed a lot of people with the same problem.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2015
“First oil pressure gauge went and now my speedometer is also gone stuck at 50 mph. Called chevy can't get straight answer from them and ask what other vehicles with the same problem with gauge cluster advised can't disclosed any information.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“I purchased a 2003 trailblazer from an individual. The front differential had a hole in it. So I purchased a differential from a scrap yard. 90 day warranty. Still had a noise . I still had a noise front differential was out again. I purchased the third differential from a different yard took it apart . Found the driver side bearing bad. It seems to be a very common problem because the driver side drivers constant. I was wondering if there is a recall. I see a lot of complaints online. Thank you there was a fire the differential grease burnt bearing went out and chard motor and surrounding area no real damage. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2015
“NHTSA action number : pe07014 occurred on my vehicle around november 2014. The problem presented as p0442 cel and odor of gas after parking in garage. Gm has indicated because the special consideration allowance has expired, despite the low mileage they will do nothing. This vehicle was purchased new in august 2003. I do not understand why gm was not compelled to issue a safety recall due to the risk of gas leaking. I would appreciate assistance to get gm to minimally provide defective parts replacement, due to the know manufacturing defect in the gas tank. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2014
“Ses light came on. Dealership had no apps brought to mechanic. Code was for fuel emission leak. Replace gas cap. Week later code ses came on again. Brought back to the mechanic, said fuel tank is cracked. Called chevy and was told there was a recall but not my VIN..... *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Trailblazer Ext by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext reliable?
NHTSA has 313 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.