Menu

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXTProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 313 owner complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Trailblazer EXT median · #1 of 4 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints31322 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage70kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 20, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT has problems

313 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline800
Electrical system776
Power train492
Visibility251
Exterior lighting230
Structure203
Engine and engine cooling160
Latches/locks/linkages130
Suspension120
15 other systems587

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 05V-494 · Oct 27, 2005 · 98,007 vehicles

Risk. IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 04V-527 · Nov 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles

Risk. AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Recall 04V-046 · Feb 4, 2004 · 581,394 vehicles

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do fuel system, gasoline problems start?

70kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 65 fuel system, gasoline complaints. 77% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles50under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Fuel system, gasoline

15 owners mentioned a cost

$900median

Middle half: $600 – $953

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Trailblazer EXT year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Trailblazer EXT median. How we score

'02'03'04'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT safety ratings

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT.. 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREEA04021 · closed Nov 4, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-527
  2. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEEA07009 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
  3. FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELINGPE04001 · closed May 7, 2004
    No recall
  4. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEPE07013 · closed Jul 10, 2007
    No recall
  5. FUEL TANK LEAKPE07014 · closed Jun 12, 2007
    No recall
  6. Loss of HeadlightsRQ17002 · closed Mar 29, 2021
    No recall
In owners' words

What Trailblazer EXT owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE07014 OCCURRED ON MY VEHICLE AROUND NOVEMBER 2014. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED AS P0442 CEL AND ODOR OF GAS AFTER PARKING IN GARAGE. GM HAS INDICATED BECAUSE THE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION ALLOWANCE HAS EXPIRED, DESPITE THE LOW MILEAGE THEY WILL DO NOTHING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED…
Complaint 10678685 · Jan 24, 2015 · 56,000 miles
SES LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP HAD NO APPS BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. CODE WAS FOR FUEL EMISSION LEAK. REPLACE GAS CAP. WEEK LATER CODE SES CAME ON AGAIN. BROUGHT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, SAID FUEL TANK IS CRACKED. CALLED CHEVY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NOT MY VIN..... *TR
Complaint 10618346 · Aug 2, 2014 · 77,000 miles
THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE VAPORS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, A CRACK CAN BE SEEN IN THE NECK OF THE FUEL TANK. WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK FROM THE CRACK. THE FUEL GAUGE CLUSTER IN THE DASH DOESN'T WORK. THE BLOWER ON THE A/C UNIT DOESN'T WORK ON THE…
Complaint 10605390 · Jun 23, 2014 · 140,000 miles

Own a 2003 Trailblazer EXT?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.