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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,728 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 EXT drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT Owner Comments

problem #6

Oct 052006

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

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

Passenger side upper ball joint came out causing the lower ball joint to also come out resulting in a cut ABS sensor wire and a bent strut and finally a axle that ripped out of the transfer case which destroyed the case cover.

- Vernon, CT, USA

problem #5

Nov 052005

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles
Double failure of 4-wheel drive indicators. 4-wheel drive failed but the "service light" did not appear on the dash and the led light on the 2wd/AWD/4-hi/4-lo switch did not display correctly. Because we were unaware that both indicators were not working and the 4-wheel drive was not working we attempted to go over a mountain pass during snow conditions under the assumption that the 4-wheel drive was working correctly. I was bringing my mother home from the hospital after a heart procedure. Luckily I was driving carefully, because the vehicle did begin to lose control, but I was able to make the necessary corrections. We were forced to turn around and take another route, which doubled the length of our drive. This normally would not be a problem except for my mother's condition.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #4

Nov 042004

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,327 miles
Left driver's side outside mirror is not holding the correct settings, and clicks constantly. The mirror is hitting against something, and turns completely to the ground. When using keyless entry the mirrors also turn to the ground. The mirror is changing by itself, and it is not going back to the correct setting. The mirror is always making a clicking noise and it is facing downward. There is no problem with the right side. The dealer replaced the right side mirror, and from then on the left side has not worked. Consumer has taken vehicle to dealership 4 or 5 times to be checked. Dealership insists the mirror is working fine. But as soon as the consumer leaves the dealership the mirror will work for a couple of hours and then stop working properly. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership and the mechanic didn't write down the problem with the mirror in his paperwork, and this happened more than once. When shifting from park to reverse the vehicle jerked at times. The engine control module was reprogrammed. The consumer believes that the reprogramming resulted in poor fuel economy. The cd player made a hissing noise. When the brakes were applied they would grind. The 4-wheel drive switch shorted. Windshield wiper motor failed. Right side tag light bulb blew.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #3

Feb 052005

Trailblazer EXT 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

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

While putting the vehicle in 4-wheel drive it began to accelerate. Vehicle ran into a guard rail and rolled down into a ditch. Owner contacted the dealer, who said it was the fault of the driver. Later, dealer contacted the owner, and informed him that the 4-wheel drive key was broken.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Mar 122004

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
2003 Chevrolet trailblazer - purchased in may of 2003 off of the sales floor - around 5 miles on it - truck began squeaking - took it in, they said bad break pads, changed them out and gave it back (2 days without truck) - squeaking still there - took it back in - service tech said the front spindle was bent - told me I couldn't drive it it was unsafe (5 more days without truck) - at the same time they take truck to body shop because rear hatch won't shut it too is bent - same with the hood (hmmmmmmmm!!!!) - rear wiper motor then busts (now I'm erked) - driving down the highway at 55 and truck shuts off - no power steering almost wreck it seems the gas gauge is not accurate!!!!!!! - then blower motor won't shut off without taking fuse out... no heat in rear heaters, climate control doesn't work (yet a few more days without truck)- the last straw - my 9 month old truck has a broken transfer case and the 4-wheel drive went out - of course the 4-wheel drive went out on a steep hill in the middle of winter - not acceptable in Alaska not acceptable in a new truck!!!!!! - had to get out of a defective truck so now we are stuck with a brand new Tahoe that is $10,000+ upside down! you decide who is wrong in this case!

- Wasilla, AK, USA

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problem #1

Nov 172003

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,041 miles
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. The 4WD indicator light comes on and the truck will not go out of A4wd unless I shut the truck off and restart. The dealer just called and said they have to replace the control motor ? that goes to the transfer case. I am mechanically challenged and do not know what most of these componets are. The shocks had to be replaced as they were leaking at 6000 miles. The exhaust shields had to be re-aligned as they were rattling on acceleration. Spoke to Chevy representative, they said they can do nothing about replacing this vehicle as it is under warrany and I will just have to keep taking it back for repairs. They offered free oil changes and tire rotations for a year. I told them that was an insult and that this is not the last time that they will hear from me. I am filing under lemon law with an attorney as I do not believe I will get very far on my own. The dealer has been great, it breaks they fix it and it breaks agian and they fix it, that's all that they can do. My problem lies with Chevrolet/General Motors and this truck that I believe was put on the market with design flaws.

- Eldred, PA, USA

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