Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 406 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V494000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 98,007
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-10-27
Owners notified: 2006-02-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V527000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Component: Exterior lighting: brake lights
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 871,473
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-11-01
Owners notified: 2004-11-22

Defect description

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.

Safety 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 NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V046000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component: Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 581,394
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-02-04
Owners notified: 2004-07-06

Defect description

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 CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CAN LEAD TO THE CORROSION OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MODULE.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	52	90,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	36	99,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	29	63,798 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	22	70,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	15	55,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	13	42,683 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	11	60,000 mi
Exterior lighting	10	90,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	9	53,122 mi
Power train	8	80,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	7	149,420 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	7	89,500 mi
Structure: body	7	139,000 mi
Unknown or other	7	106,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	7	81,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	6	65,346 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	6	46,950 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	6	21,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	5	78,120 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	5	89,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	5	21,178 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage	4	53,540 mi
Seats	4	50,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments	4	40,000 mi
Suspension: front	4	6,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	4	25,783 mi
Air bags	3	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	17,327 mi
Equipment	3	35,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	3	8,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	91,000 mi
Steering	3	61,000 mi
Structure	3	15,800 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	3	56,000 mi
Visibility	3	60,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	3	60,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	30,794 mi
Electrical system: ignition	2	26,000 mi
Engine	2	66,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	54,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights	2	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal	2	150 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines	2	73,800 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	2	4,041 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	2	4,041 mi
Power train: driveline	2	35,000 mi
Seat belts	2	79,000 mi
Service brakes	2	88,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads	2	21,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	2	6,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	2	15,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	2	6,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	2	44,306 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments	2	6,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	2	6,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	2	6,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	2	21,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor	2	8,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	31,700 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	83,450 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	49,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	1	38,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	17,327 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	150 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	21,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	1	8,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting	1	185,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	38,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly	1	48,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	82,090 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit	1	82,090 mi
Seat belts: front	1	6,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	1	47,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	71,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	139,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	82,090 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	1	17 mi
Structure: body: door	1	76,000 mi
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments	1	21,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	1	6,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	76,000 mi
Suspension	1	89,500 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	58,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber	1	4,041 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar	1	—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar	1	82,090 mi
Tires	1	3,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	120,600 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	6,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior	1	17,327 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	17,327 mi
Wheels: rim	1	—

The 2002 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.