FaultScore

2003 Chevrolet Blazer electrical problems

11 of the 103 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer are about the electrical system — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 36,500 miles.

C

11

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 6 54.5%
Instrument Cluster/Panel 2 18.2%
12V/24V/48V Battery 1 9.1%
Switch 1 9.1%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 1 9.1%

Electrical System across every Chevrolet Blazer year

1991 17 2.2%
1992 19 2.4%
1993 21 2.7%
1994 12 1.5%
1995 82 10.4%
1996 75 9.5%
1997 103 13.1%
1998 82 10.4%
1999 45 5.7%
2000 55 7.0%
2001 50 6.3%
2002 22 2.8%
2003 11 1.4%
2004 11 1.4%
2019 59 7.5%
2020 72 9.1%
2021 38 4.8%
2022 14 1.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 175,000 miles Yukon, OK Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA INFLATORS: I HAD LEFT MY HOUSE HEADED TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 AM AND GOT ON I40 EASTBOUND, IT HAD SNOWED THE DAY BEFORE AND THE ROADS HAD BEEN TREATED AND WERE CLEAR FOR TRAVEL, I WAS TRAVELING ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE @ APROX 50MPH AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO DO UPCOMING TRAFFIC, WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKED. I ATTEMPTED TO LET OFF AND RE APPLY THE BRAKE BUT THE ABS SYSTEM JUST STAYED ENGAGED AND THE FRONT END STARTED SLIDING HARD TO THE LEFT AND I STEERED AWAY FROM THE PULL. I SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE CENTER CONCRETE WALL AT APPROX. 40MPH WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR, WHICH CAUSED ME TO SPIN AROUND AND HIT THE PASSENGER REAR, I CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL I WAS FACING BACK EAST. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT IT CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO CORE SUPPORT AND PASSENGER SIDE FRAME HORN. IT WAS A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ANYTHING BUT MY VEHICLE AND MYSELF, THE ABS DID NOT RELEASE WITHIN WHAT I APPROXIMATE TO BE ABOUT 6 SECONDS AND THIS SO CALLED SAFETY DEVICE NEARLY KILLED ME. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT.

NHTSA complaint #10811339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles OLD Fort, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS STARTING THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE STARTER RELAY SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #10619333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,984 miles Monmouth Junction, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO TURN ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH, ALL TAIL LIGHTS. MECHANIC INVESTIGATION SHOWS MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH TO BE CAUSE OF PROBLEM AS IN PREVIOUS RECALL FOR MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON 2002 BLAZER. REQUESTING INVESTIGATION AND ADDITION TO THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10429396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,548 miles Sabattus, ME

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE RADIO AND FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,548 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,700. UPDATED 09/26/08. 8JB

NHTSA complaint #10238774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Pittsburg, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER. EVERYTIME THE CONTACT OPENS THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CONSISTENTLY FLICKER ON AND OFF, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CONTINUE TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE. SECONDLY, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL INDICATES THAT THE FUEL LEVEL IS AT HALF A TANK, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIRDLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE BECAUSE THEY CONTINUED TO FAIL. LASTLY, WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE ABNORMALLY HESITATES, WHICH CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO VIBRATE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR REMEDY THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,450.

NHTSA complaint #10229957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Pittsburg, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER. EVERYTIME THE CONTACT OPENS THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CONSISTENTLY FLICKER ON AND OFF, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CONTINUE TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE. SECONDLY, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL INDICATES THAT THE FUEL LEVEL IS AT HALF A TANK, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIRDLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE BECAUSE THEY CONTINUED TO FAIL. LASTLY, WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE ABNORMALLY HESITATES, WHICH CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO VIBRATE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR REMEDY THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,450.

NHTSA complaint #10229957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Pittsburg, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER. EVERYTIME THE CONTACT OPENS THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CONSISTENTLY FLICKER ON AND OFF, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CONTINUE TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND NO REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE. SECONDLY, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL INDICATES THAT THE FUEL LEVEL IS AT HALF A TANK, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIRDLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE BECAUSE THEY CONTINUED TO FAIL. LASTLY, WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE ABNORMALLY HESITATES, WHICH CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO VIBRATE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR REMEDY THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,450.

NHTSA complaint #10229957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Little Rock, AR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1. SPEEDOMETER ACTING ERRATICALLY. 2. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $450 DOLLARS TO CHANGE SPEED SENSOR. I TOLD HIM HE WAS CRAZY. THEY RECONNECTED. SPEEDOMETER STARED WORKING AGAIN. 3. 7 MONTHS LATER SPEEDOMETER STARTS ACTING ERRATICALLY. I SEARCH WEBSITES AND FIND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2003 TAHOES EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING. ORDERED NEW SPEED SENSOR TO FOR SELF INSTALLATION. YET TO INSTALL. 4. SPEEDOMETER STARTS WORKING AGAIN AFTER BATTERY CHANGED. 5. RUNS FOR 5 DAYS WORKING FINE THEN ACT ERRATIC AGAIN. 6. READY TO CHANGE. 7. THOUGHT I'D COMPLAIN FIRST. THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10167309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 300 miles Wayne, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, BUT WILL RESTART WHEN KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 5 TIMES IN WHICH A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, NO FAILURE CODE FOUND. THEN, DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE AUTOMATIC STARTER SYSTEM, AND THE VEHICLE ONLY STALLED ONCE. A YEAR LATER, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP, BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON.

NHTSA complaint #10115414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Paso Robles, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE WAS A SENSOR ON THE DASH WHICH CONTROLLED THE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER A TREE OR IN THE GARAGE, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT DIM. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A CODE TO OVER RIDE THE SYSTEM. THE DEALERS HAD NO ACCESS TO THE CODE. *JB THE SENSOR ON THE DASH TURNED DOWN THE DASH LIGHTS WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AT DUSK THE HIGH BEAMS CAME ON WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. THE CONSUMER IS LOOKING FOR THE CODE THAT WILL ALLOW THE LIGHT TO OPERATE MANUALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10055911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Douglasville, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A NEW 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER... IT IS ONLY 7 MONTHS OLD WITH ONLY 7,300 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING HOME TONIGHT AND HEARD A " CLICKING NOISE" WHICH SOUNDED LIKE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ON... THEY WEREN'T... WHEN I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNED THE BLAZER OFF (KEY SWITCH IN LOCK POSITION) STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN POSITION, MY BLAZER WAS STILL RUNNING ! MY HEADLIGHTS WERE OFF, MY INSIDE LIGHTS WERE OFF, ALL PANEL LIGHTS WERE OFF, SO MY HUSBAND TURNED THE INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS, SWITCH THE BLAZER TURNED OFF... SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS... THE WHOLE SYSTEM WAS LIKE IT WENT NUTS... I HAVE WAITED A FEW HOURS AND SINCE WENT BACK OUT THERE AND TRIED IT AGAIN... SAME THING HAPPENED... AND IT ALL HAPPENED OUT OF NO WHERE... THE BLAZER HAS DRIVEN FINE... NO PROBLEMS WITH IT AT ALL SINCE PURCHASE, BUT NOW THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING NOISE THAT CAN BE HEARD UNDER THE HOOD WHEN BLAZER IS RUNNING (SITTING STILL).

NHTSA complaint #10043000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Chevrolet Blazer problems

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