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2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,949 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

Mar 272006

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,094 miles

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

While driving across the williamsburg bridge I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate. The RPM gauge shot to the high end and I had to coast the vehicle off of the bridge. I was towed to the dealership who without looking at it, knew immediately that the transmission had failed. I asked the service technician was this a common problem and he pointed me to edmunds.com to show how many posts there were concerning this problem. The dealership "overhauled" the transmission and told me I should consider a transmission cooler. I've never towed anything with the vehicle and am concerned that I am about to experience the same problem, except this time my warranty is expired.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #8

Nov 082006

Trailblazer EXT

  • miles
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 computer needed to be reprogrammed. We paid for that and not one week later the vehicle is continuing to stall on us. It has been extremely dangerous and in at least once circumstance has almost caused an accident. This vehicle is unsafe to drive. The engine has quit on us on at least 12 different occasions within the last 2 months, despite being in for repairs twice for the same issue. We are extremely disappointed in this vehicle and are saddened by the fact that we have spent so much money and to no avail. We have since learned that many, many other people are experiencing the same trouble. We are taking it back to the dealer tomorrow and trading it in. We need something that is reliable and safe out on the roads. And this vehicle is definitely not safe.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #7

Aug 222006

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 400,050 miles
Multiple problems with this vehicle with only 40,000 miles on it! power window assembly broke and repaired twice on the same door, inoperable climate control unit, front dashboard gets extremely hot at all times, brakes squeal all the time (dealer could not figure it out and was remedied with ceramic brake pads after multiple attempts), transmission has poor shifting pattern (bulletin provided a new shift program for the transmission and the dealer installed but is right back to it's original problem after 3 months).

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #6

Apr 012006

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,517 miles

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

Traveling up a draw bridge at 50 miles per hour the transmission quit completely, the engine would rev up but no drive from the transmission. Fortunately, no one rear ended the vehicle as we slowed down and barely made it over the top of the bridge and then coasted down enough to get off of the bridge. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they determined that the transmission must be completely replaced at my cost. The vehicle has 64,000 miles, too few for a transmission failure.

- Poquoson, VA, USA

problem #5

Nov 132005

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,650 miles
The incident occurred while driving home after dropping my son off at work on I-95. I was traveling between 65 and 70 mph and passing a semi when my vehicle suddenly and with no prior warning shifted into second gear. Luckily I was able to maintain control of my car and able to drive it the rest of the way home. On Monday I drove my vehicle as instructed to the mj sullivans, the dealership in which I bought the trailblazer, for service. I was then notified that the stator support bushings in the transmission failed and that it would actually be cheaper to replace the transmission. Interestingly, the new transmission comes with a 10yr/100K mile warranty and my vehicle has only 69000 miles of highway miles. Asked the service engineer about how unusual this type of failure is and they told me highly considering the wear on other parts in the transmission. We do not tow or have hills in our area and for the most part only travel on the highway so I would not suspect that we would be putting a high level of wear and tear on it. We had the transmission replaced.

- East Lyme, CT, USA

problem #4

Sep 262005

Trailblazer EXT 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
My vehicle was taken in the crain on several occasions for the transmission, leading up to this incident. I took the vehicle in to crain on September 26, and was told that the transmission was completely gone. Of course, they quoted me a price of $2,000 which I feel that I shouldn't be out of pocket for anything because I repeatedly took the vehicle in because the transmission wasn't shifting proper. Of course, they sent me on my way and stated that there wasn't a mechanical problem with the transmission. The service advisor pulled all of my service tickets that showed that the vehicle was brought in for the transmission....they then agreed to split the amount with me; however, I feel as though I shouldn't have to split the cost because I made several trips to crain's service department prior to this last visit to the service department.

- Little Rock , AR, USA

problem #3

Sep 242004

Trailblazer EXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,500 miles

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

The transmission is very sluggish at times. Upon entering a highway or pulling out into traffic, the vehicle will periodically take off very slow. In a couple instances we were almost hit by oncoming traffic before the transmission kicked in. Upon taking it to the dealer for the fourth time in less than two years, they still insist there is no problem with the vehicle because the on-board computer has not recorded any codes. I'm getting very frustrated by this answer, because I feel the only way they will admit the transmission has a problem is when we are finally involved in an accident, maybe with a fatality. I would rather not get a resolution through this result.

- Old Hickory , TN, USA

problem #2

Jun 142004

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles
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 irratic.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

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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