2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Trailblazer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2001: 20 complaints 2002: 1149 complaints 2002 2003: 901 complaints 2003 2004: 1081 complaints 2005: 1465 complaints 2005 2006: 1107 complaints 2007: 732 complaints 2008: 193 complaints 2008 2009: 27 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2021: 179 complaints 2021 2022: 100 complaints 2023: 61 complaints 2024: 32 complaints 2024 2025: 19 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2003: 901 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19994
200026
200120
20021149
2003901
20041081
20051465
20061107
2007732
2008193
200927
20141
2021179
2022100
202361
202432
202519
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 170 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE LIGHTS MELT THE HARNESSES IN THE FRONT LIGHTS FREQUENTLY. MORE THAN 2 TIMES A YEAR THE TAIL LIGHT NEEF CONSTANT REPLACEMENT FROM FAULTY WIRING. THE WIRES ARE NOT BIG ENOUGB TO HANDLE THE LOAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180402

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 82 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 6%

6% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 56 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120730

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020815 — air bags

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.

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 O

Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed

2003 — complaint volume: 901
R 20030311 — air bags

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.

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

Campaign 03V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030529 — power train

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 C

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 AN

Campaign 03V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030529 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 TH

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

Campaign 03V151000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030820 — equipment

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 DO

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

Campaign 03V250000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030917 — PE (closed 20040106)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

I 20040105 — PE (closed 20040507)

FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELING

I 20040106 — EA (closed 20040210)

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

I 20040406 — PE (closed 20040803)

BRAKE LAMP FAILURE

R 20040706 — visibility

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 CONTINUOU

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 AN

Campaign 04V046000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040803 — EA (closed 20041104)

BRAKE LAMP FAILURE

R 20041122 — exterior lighting

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 1-8

Campaign 04V527000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050804 — exterior lighting

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 FL

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 AUGUS

Campaign 05V198000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20070312 — PE (closed 20070710)

FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE

I 20070710 — EA (closed 20080828)

FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE

I 20170424 — RQ (closed 20210329)

Loss of Headlights

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (170 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (82 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (56 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V222000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V051000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V075000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V151000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V250000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V046000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V527000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V198000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2002 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.