Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: Carrying the not-so-proud traditions of its 2002 predecessor, the 2003 has a handful of instrument panel malfunctions that can leave you guessing your speed, engine temperature or how much gas is left in the tank.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,580 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #15

Feb 272023

Trailblazer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #14

Jul 012019

Trailblazer

  • 177,000 miles
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.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #13

May 182018

Trailblazer

  • 180,000 miles
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

- Springfield, MI, USA

problem #12

Mar 212017

Trailblazer

  • 50 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- College Park, GA, USA

problem #11

Dec 142015

Trailblazer

  • 170,000 miles
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.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #10

Sep 172015

Trailblazer

  • 94,180 miles
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.

- Liverpool, PA, USA

problem #9

Mar 012012

Trailblazer

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #8

Jan 052015

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 154,781 miles
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.

- Oil City, PA, USA

problem #7

Jun 152014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
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.

- Burleson , TX, USA

problem #6

Nov 012013

Trailblazer

  • 200,000 miles
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- London , OH, USA

problem #5

Apr 022012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 147,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 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!

- Thaxton, MS, USA

problem #4

Apr 182012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
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.

- Redmond, OR, USA

problem #3

Mar 102014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 201,190 miles
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.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #2

Feb 262013

Trailblazer

  • 142,500 miles
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.

- Bath, NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 102012

Trailblazer

  • miles
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.

- Manassas, VA, USA

Not what you are looking for?