Chevrolet Trailblazer Complaints (2003)

1,239 consumer complaints on file.

#10284639September 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MY VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN DECREASE IN FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED DRAMATICALLY AND THE VEHICLE HAD UNPREDICTABLE SURGES AND LOSS OF ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER DRIVING DOWN THE BERM TO THE INTERSTATE EXIT, I NOTED A BURNING SMELL. THE SMELL WAS THAT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT HAD LEAKED OUT FROM A CORRODED TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284466September 17, 2009
VISIBILITY
SIDE MIRRORS DO NOT STAY IN POSITION MEMORIZED FOR DRIVER. VERY UNSAFE WHEN YOU GO TO CHANGE LANES AND THE MIRRORS ARE POINTING TO THE SKY OR GROUND. THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED THE REMOTES, BUT THERE IS NO SOLUTION. DRIVER MUST ADJUST MIRRORS EVERY TIME YOU TURN ON VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE IF THERE IS A TEMPERATURE CHANGE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 5.5 YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE. OTHER DRIVERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE WITH TRAILBLAZER. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THIS? WHY HASN'T CHEVROLET FOUND OUT HOW TO FIX THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284187September 16, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TB LTZ AND FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE BEEN SMELLING A GAS LEAK SOMEWHERE BUT I COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHERE. RECENTLY I FOUND THAT IT WAS LEAKING AROUND THE NECK OF THE PUMP WHERE IT WAS CORRODED AND THE SEAL FAILED. NOW EVERYTHING WORK WELL INCLUDING THE GAS PUMP AND I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXISTING ON 2002 TRAILBLAZERS AND LATER. MY TB HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT AND UNFORTUNATELY OUT OF THE WARRANTLY PERIOD BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM JUST GLAD THE TRUCK DID NOT START A FIRE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY FAMILY WAS IN IT OR IT WAS PARKED IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALL ON THE GAS TANK. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ADVISED BY CHEVROLET EXCEPT FOR THE FILLER NECK WHICH I REALLY DON'T THINK WAS A PROBLEM AT THE TIME WITH MY TB. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283847September 14, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE OWNER SMELLED FUEL WHEN HE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND EVENTUALLY THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SEAMS IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WERE LEAKING AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,5000. UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ THE REPAIR WAS MADE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE SEAM FAILURE WAS ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. UPDATED 10/13/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283150September 8, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
THE REAR WINDSHIELD CAME UNHINGED FROM THE REAR DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283063September 7, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT ON MY VACATION TO FLORIDA. HAD ABOUT 63,000 MILES THEN. IT GOT STUCK AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND STAYS STUCK UNTIL MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTS THE BATTERY CABLES. IT HAPPENS PROBABLY ONCE A WEEK. DON'T HAVE $600 DOLLARS TO FIX THE CLOISTER PROBLEM. READING ABOUT THE PROBLEM IT SEEMS PRETTY COMMON AND CHEVY SHOULD RECALL IT. I'VE HAD CHEVY'S ALL MY LIFE BUT THIS ONE IS A LEMON AND WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE!!! ANY SUGGESTIONS? CAN CHEVY PAY PART OF IT OR RECALL IT?? THANKS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281615August 24, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES, DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. FINDINGS: GAS VAPOR POURING FROM THE SEAL, CORROSION AND MOISTURE. NEED TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281430August 22, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT AND THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE QUIT WORKING ON ME. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND FIND THAT MANY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. APPARENTLY, CHEVROLET HAD A RECALL PROGRAM FOR DASHBOARD GAUGE ISSUES WITH OTHER MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE TRAILBLAZER AS A COVERED MODELED UNDER THIS RECALL. OTHER TRAILBLAZER OWNERS WHO HAVE POSTED COMPLAINTS OR PROBLEMS ONLINE HAVE ADVISED FILING A COMPLAINT THROUGH THE NHTSA TO SEE IF ENOUGH COMPLAINTS CAN BE LODGED AGAINST CHEVROLET TO FORCE A RECALL. IT OBVIOUSLY IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. SOMETIMES MINE WORKS FINE, OTHER TIMES IT REGISTERS THE WRONG SPEED, AND STILL OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T REGISTER A SPEED AT ALL. IF THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG TRAILBLAZER OWNERS, THEN I WOULD THINK THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD COVER IT UNDER THEIR RECALL PROGRAM ALONG WITH THE OTHER MODELS OF CHEVROLET TRUCKS & CARS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281319August 21, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS MALFUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE OWNED SINCE NEW. ALSO HEAD LAMPS AT TIME WILL FAIL TO WORK, INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281193August 20, 2009
STRUCTURE
THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR WAS NOT AIR TIGHT AND WOULD LET IN AIR & RAIN IN. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY A COUPLE WEEKS THE PROBLEM WILL START AGAIN. THE WHOLE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS FAILED, THE BLOWER GOES ON AND OFF BY ITS SELF; BUT WHEN YOU TRY AND TURN IT ON IT WILL NOT TURN ON. THIS INCLUDES THE DEFROSTER AND HEATER IT MAKES DRIVING VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN THE WINDOWS FOGS UP. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRAILBLAZERS; HE HAS SEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF TRAILBLAZERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ALONG WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK HATCH GLASS SEPARATING FROM THE HINGE. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY TRAILBLAZER AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE GLASS OR THE ENTIRE HATCH. I LOVE MY TRAILBLAZER BUT DISAPPOINTED WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280998August 19, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SAID THE GAS TANK HAS A CRACK IN IT AND IS NOT FOUND TO BE A RECALL ITEM. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD WARRANTY UNDER RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280871August 18, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE CORROSION AND LEAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280144August 11, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT MODEL. THE REAR HATCH LATCH FAILS TO LOCK OR UNLOCK DUE TO CORROSION. I FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE IS A RECALL COVERING CERTAIN GMC VEHICLES. THE SITE I FOUND LISTED THE 2003 CHEVROLET VEHICLE AS PART OF THIS RECALL. THE CAMPAIGN # IS 05V494000 AND THE GM RECALL # IS 05V494000. THE RECALL STATED THE FOLLOWING: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. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR. RECALL NOTES: GM RECALL NO. 05077. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE THERE AND GAVE HIM ALL MY INFORMATION. HE INFORMED ME THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I GAVE HIM THE CAMPAIGN # LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND HE LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND THE RECALL AND SAID THAT MAINE WAS NOT A STATE INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I INFORMED HIM THAT THE RECALL I WAS VIEWING ON LINE CLEARLY LISTED MAINE AS A COVERED STATE. HE THEN SAID HE NOTICED IT. I GAVE HIM THE GM RECALL # AND HE SAID THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERS GMC ENVOY AND CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT MODELS. IT CLEARLY IS THE SAME PROBLEM. I CHECKED AND THE LATCH IS CORRODED DUE TO SALT AND WATER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS IS THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AS THE OTHER VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE COVERED ON THIS RECALL. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TRIM ITS LT AS OPPOSED TO THE EXT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279890August 10, 2009
POWER TRAIN
SUN SHELL, (HOUSING) ON TRANSMISSION SHREDDED INTO OIL PAN AND RADIATOR. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION LITERALLY EXPLODED SENDING METAL EVERYWHERE. CHECKED ON LINE POSTS AND SEE IT IS VERY COMMON ON 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, (76000 MILES). VERY DANGEROUS. LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE EXPRESSWAY. NO WARNING SIGNS!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279189August 3, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
DESIGN FLAW OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP APPLIQUE (AKA - REAR UPPER LIFTGATE MOLDING) DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, ICE AND SNOW BUILDS UP BEHIND THE MOLDING, AND WHEN THE USER ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE, THE MOLDING IS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, SOMETIMES RESULTS IN PERMANENT BREAKAGE OF THE MOLDING, OR EVEN SHATTERING OF THE REAR WINDOW. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THE COMPANY IS ALREADY AWARE OF, AS EVIDENCED BY A RELEASED TSB. AS EVIDENCED BY NUMEROUS REPORTS ON "TRAILVOY.COM", MANY GROUP MEMBERS HAVE REPORTED HAVING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF THIS PIECE MYSTERIOUSLY COMING OFF, TO THE SURPRISE OF THE DRIVER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, TOO MUCH OF THE LIFTGATE'S STRUCTURE WAS LEFT TO RELY ON THE STABILITY OF PLASTIC AND GLASS. FOR INSTANCE, ON MY VEHICLE, AFTER BREAKAGE OF THE MOLDING, THE FORCE EXERTED BY THE GLASS LIFT ARMS CAUSED THE ADHESIVE TO SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOWS HINGE, LEAVING IT "DANGLING BY A THREAD". I FEEL THAT THIS A PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED IN TOO MANY CASES; A PROBLEM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE ($700-$1000, WITH LABOR). CHEVROLET HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THEIR DESIGN ERROR ON THE OLDER VEHICLES, INSTEAD OF LEAVING IT UP TO THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279257August 3, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2003 TRAILBLAZER TRANSMISSION LINES. COOLANT LINES RUSTED AT THE FACTORY CONNECTION. MAJOR FLUID LOSS, HAD TO REPAIR IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278753July 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LS 4X4 - THE GAUGES ON THE DASH BOARD DO NOT WORK. THIS INCLUDES THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, BATTERY GAUGE AND OCTAMETER. I'VE READ MANY BULLETIN BOARDS INDICATING THE SAME ISSUE. THE DASHBOARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278634July 29, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPM DIAL FAILS TO MOVE AND THE SPEEDOMETER IS BEGINNING TO FAIL. INITIALLY, THE SPEEDOMETER MADE A TICKING NOISE AS THE SPEED INCREASED, BUT CURRENTLY THE DIAL IS STUCK AT 40 MPH. WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL DOES NOT GO BACK TO ZERO. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED, THE DIAL WILL DROP TO 35 MPH. WHEN THE DRIVER ACCELERATES, THE DIAL MOVES AND REMAINS AT 40 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT IS NEVER SURE HOW FAST SHE IS DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND ISSUED AN IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR THOSE WITH VEHICLES THAT HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME FAILURES, BUT WITH MORE MILEAGE. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 08/31/09 *BF UPDATED 09/04/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278725July 29, 2009
EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE CARRIER NOT OPERATIONAL. INABILITY TO CHANGE FLAT TIRE UNSAFE AND COSTLY (OF COURSE, TO THE OWNER). GENERAL MOTORS POORLY RE-DESIGNED SPARE TIRE WINCH INCLUDES PLASTIC HOUSING FOR CABLE THAT DETERIORATES IN THE SEVERE SERVICE AREA OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. PREVIOUS DESIGNS DID NOT INVOLVE THE USE OF PLASTICS IN THE EXTERNAL MECHANISMS. MINE FAILED LEAVING ME WITH A FLAT TIRE AND A PERFECTLY GOOD SPARE THAT I WAS UNABLE TO LOWER FROM THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. MAKES NO SENSE TO REPLACE THE WINCH WITH ANOTHER OF THE SAME DESIGN LEAVING MOST PEOPLE NO OPTION TO EITHER NOT CARRY A SPARE OR CARRY INSIDE THE VEHICLE EITHER UNSAFELY ANCHORED OR NOT ANCHORED AT ALL BECOMING A PROJECTILE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278138July 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BEGINNING 2 WEEKS AGO THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. THE NEEDLE WILL GO PAST 120 MPH AND WHEN YOUR STOPPED IT WILL BE AT 30-40 MPH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE MY SON HAS HIS LEARNERS PERMIT AND WAS DRIVING THE FIRST TIME THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY. I LOOKED ON-LINE AND FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE SUGGESTED DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FOR 5 MINUTES. I DID THIS AND IT WORKED FOR 1 WEEK. I DISCONNECTED IT 2 MORE TIMES SO FAR. TODAY I CALLED GM AT 800-630-2438 TO REPORT THE PROBLEM & SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL BUT THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. I ASKED IF I WOULD BE CHARGED AND SHE SAID YES. I TOLD HER THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEM JUST FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THAT THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS SINCE IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT SO MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES DOING THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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