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KLUNK
KLUNK

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer has 1,266 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (469 complaints) and engine (370 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Trailblazer, consider the 2025 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

03V151000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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...

Risk

IF BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS REDUCED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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 ...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200226150347323306
200325839469370130
20041572283928069
20051432772878746
20061362234180443
2007861032334914
2008361594419
2009112141
20215726234330
20223211122026
2023101212189
202484893
202531735

By Category

Electrical
469
Engine
370
Body
258
Transmission
130
Brakes
39

By Severity

1
583
2
570
3
14
4
97
5
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 1

Transmission doesn’t have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.

41mo ago
Transmission 1

While driving my Trailblazer in A4WD on slippery road conditions, I went to pulled out of a parking lot and there was a loud sound like my whole front end fell out and the front end completely locked up. Almost causing an accident. I had to dial back to 2HI quickly to unlock to front end. There was no light indicating any problems. Been driving it 2HI since with out any problems. Still no service light or anything, but feels like I'm stuck in A4WD. Feels like there is a drag and a pulling to the right. Also using more gas since. It was a scary, afraid to try the 4x4 functions again. Another snow storm is on the way!

54mo ago
Brakes 4

WIRE HARNESS COATING FALLING APART ALMOST CAUGHT MY TRUCK ON FIRE GOT PICTURES AND IT TRIGGERS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STAY ON

65mo ago
Body 1

SEE ATTACHED COMPLAINT TO GENERAL MOTORS. I HAVE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THERE SIMILAR YEAR TRAILBLAZERS.

66mo ago
Engine 2

IT'S LEAKING GAS FROM LINES ON TOP OF GAS TANK MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT I JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT I'M DISABLED ON FIXED INCOME RAISING MY GRANDSON

68mo ago
Engine 1

IN 2018 WE WERE HAVING A FUEL PRESSURE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ICV HAD CRACKED AROUND THE GAS TANK. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE I FOUND THERE WAS A SPECIAL COVERAGE WARRANTY FOR THE ISSUE AND CALLED THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED A MONTH EARLIER AND THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE COVERAGE BUT IF WE WANTED THE CAR FIXED IT WOULD BE OVER$1000. WE'RE NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND IM SURE THAT'S WHY I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL COVERAGE. CONSIDERING THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL TANK AND I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR, I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE EXPIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PEOPLE BUY USED CARS ALL THE TIME AND IF THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T CATCH IT BEFORE SELLING THE CAR IT'S UNFAIR TO PUT THE EXPENSE ON THE NEW OWNER WHEN IT'S A DEFECT CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S CHOICE IN UNRELIABLE PARTS. *TR

75mo ago
Engine 4

MY DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR TO FIND A HOLE IN MY DRIVER SEAT AND THE ROOF TOP BURNT AS WELL. I ALSO HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT IN DUE TO IT LEAKING GAS AFTER PUT IT. IT CONTINUES TO LEAK.

75mo ago
Body 1

FRAME FAILED DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVE CONDITION. FORWARD TO REVERSE GRINDING CAUSED BY SEPARATION OF FRAME.

76mo ago
Brakes 2

NOTHING HAS HAPPENING YET TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS FIXED HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT SO STARTED HERE, PLEASE TELL ME IF NOT ALLOWED OR WHERE I CAN GET THE INFORMATION

76mo ago
Engine 1

CHEVROLET SHOULD DO A CURRENT RECALL MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER HAS LEAK NEEDS TO BE FIXED

76mo ago
Electrical 4

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND MY SUV WAS PARKED IN THE YARD AND I WENT TO GO TO THE STORE AND OPENED MY DOOR AND FOUND THE TRUCK WAS FULL OF SMOKE! MY DRIVER SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE JUST SITTING THERE. NOT EVEN CRANKED! IT DESTROYED THE SEAT AND THE TOP OF THE SUV AND THE ROOF MELTED ALL OVER THE TRUCK.

83mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VIBRATION WAS MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING. ALSO, WHILE ASCENDING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS, CONTROL ARMS, AND TENSION BELT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

84mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

85mo ago
Engine 1

TAKATA RECALL YES I WAS SMELLING FUEL COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAB OF MY VEHICLE EVERY MORNING WELL STARTING IT UP AND IT WOULD REMAIN SO I LOOKED INTO IT AND IT WAS ON A RECALL BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT I DON'T THINK SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS THIS SHOULD HAVE A LIMIT ON IT BECAUSE OF THE GAS FUMES CONSTANTLY ENTERING THE VEHICLE I'D SOMETIMES GET DIZZY AND LIGHTHEADED CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE SO I CAN GET FRESH AIR NOT MENTIONING ALWAYS AFRAID OF SOMETHING SPARKING AND POSSIBLY CATCHING THE TRUCK ON FIRE I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME LIKE I SAID THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU TO HELP ME GET THIS CORRECTED HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU VERY SOON THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT MY NAME TRACY O'BRIEN LIVE IN PALMDALE CALIFORNIA I CANNOT PROVIDE PICTURES BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT IS COMING FROM

86mo ago
Electrical 2

TAKATA RECALL" TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING ANY MORE OUT NEW LIGHTBULBS IN AN A WEEK LATER STOP WORKING AGAIN

87mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING NEAR THE BOTTOM REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CHECK VALVE WAS FRACTURED. JOE LUNGHAMER CHEVROLET (475 SUMMIT DR, WATERFORD TWP, MI 48328, 1-(248) 683-7100) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THERE WAS NO FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14423, BUT THEY HAD NOT PROVIDED A RECALL REMEDY TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

89mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT DUSK, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED SONS CHEVROLET (3615 MANCHESTER EXPY, COLUMBUS, GA 31909, (706) 322-8888), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

90mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. RELIABLE CHEVROLET (3655 S CAMPBELL AVE, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807, (417) 708-8088) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

90mo ago
Electrical 2

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS QUIT WORKING

91mo ago
Brakes 1

THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEN IT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND NOT OTHER TIMES. NOW IT NEVER WORKS. NOW THAT ITS WINTER I'M SLIDING AT STOP SIGNS THAT AREN'T EVEN THAT SLIPPERY. THE ACTUATORS IN THE HEATING AND COOLING ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ALL SUMMER I HAD HEAT BLOWING ALL THE TIME AND SUDDENLY THERE WOULD BE NOTHING. NOW IT'S COLD AIR ALL THE TIME. MAKES MY WINDOWS FOG UP AND NOT DEFROST. I HAVE DONE THE RESET PROCEDURE AND HEAR THINGS MOVING BUT IT DOESN'T FIX IT. THE BLOWER IN THE BALL SEAT AND THIRD ROW IS HIT OR MISS FOR EVEN WORKING AT ALL.

92mo ago

1266 total

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