FaultScore

FaultScore report

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 360 problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 360 with NHTSA between 2007 and 2019. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 6 worst.

B

FaultScore 40/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer 360.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

101,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 20 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 20
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Trailblazer 360. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
28.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Chevrolet Trailblazer 360

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 360

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 5 35.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 140,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 4 28.6%

Median failure at 82,500 miles

Airbags 2 14.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 90,472 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 7.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Lights 1 7.1%
Suspension 1 7.1%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 40.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 40.0%
150,000+ miles 2 20.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Apr 2007 peak 2 May 2019

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer 360

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA07009 Opened 10 Jul 2007 Closed 28 Aug 2008 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE

DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSI...

PE07013 Opened 12 Mar 2007 Closed 10 Jul 2007 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS FUEL AND OR VAPOR UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.GM STATES, THE FAILURE MECHANISM IS CORROSION OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FLANGE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK.CORROSION OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FLANGE IS THE RESULT OF THE VEHICLE OPERATING IN A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT.ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS PE TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-009) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 122,000 miles Omaha, NE Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 360. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BODY DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, NECK PAINS, BACK PAINS, ARM PAINS, AND PAIN TO THE RIB CAGE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR WAS TO DETERMINE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO OTHER CRASHES WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DETAILS OF THE OTHER TWO CRASHES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10762462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Haymarket, VA Fire

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOW CONTROL ON THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED ON FIRE AND MELTED SOME OF THE DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE HEATED SEAT BUTTONS ON THE WINDOW CONTROL MODULE. (P/N 15096223). THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE (NO KEYS IN IGNITION) WHEN THE WINDOW STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF AND SMOKE STARTED FLOWING OUT. COMPLETELY MELTED THE FRONT 4PIN CONNECTER AND WIRING HARNESS I STILL HAVE THE MELTED PART IF NEEDED FOR ANYTHING. I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT YOU HAVE NOW OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION ON 2006-2007 MODELS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. I HAD DID A FEW INTERNET SEARCHES LOOKING FOR RECALLS OR SUCH. DID FIND A COUPLE POST WHERE SIMILAR THINGS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHERS WHERE OTHERS HAD STATED HAVING TO DO WITH WATER COMING IN THE WINDOW AND SHORTING THE SWITCH (IF THIS HELPS) THANKS

NHTSA complaint #10447877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Haymarket, VA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER WINDOW CONTROL ON THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED ON FIRE AND MELTED SOME OF THE DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE HEATED SEAT BUTTONS ON THE WINDOW CONTROL MODULE. (P/N 15096223). THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE (NO KEYS IN IGNITION) WHEN THE WINDOW STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF AND SMOKE STARTED FLOWING OUT. COMPLETELY MELTED THE FRONT 4PIN CONNECTER AND WIRING HARNESS I STILL HAVE THE MELTED PART IF NEEDED FOR ANYTHING. I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT YOU HAVE NOW OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION ON 2006-2007 MODELS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. I HAD DID A FEW INTERNET SEARCHES LOOKING FOR RECALLS OR SUCH. DID FIND A COUPLE POST WHERE SIMILAR THINGS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHERS WHERE OTHERS HAD STATED HAVING TO DO WITH WATER COMING IN THE WINDOW AND SHORTING THE SWITCH (IF THIS HELPS) THANKS

NHTSA complaint #10447877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Jacksonville, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

NHTSA complaint #11205653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11205653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 192,385 miles Muskegon, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 360. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 192,385.

NHTSA complaint #10851270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Northville, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 360. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED DIFFERENT WARNINGS FOR SEVERAL HOURS UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A MODULAR FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.....UPDATED 03-31-16 *BF

NHTSA complaint #10787971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,945 miles South Lyon, MI

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 360. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE A SIR COIL NEEDED TO BE PLACED BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,945.

NHTSA complaint #10775943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Omaha, NE Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 360. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BODY DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, NECK PAINS, BACK PAINS, ARM PAINS, AND PAIN TO THE RIB CAGE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR WAS TO DETERMINE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO OTHER CRASHES WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DETAILS OF THE OTHER TWO CRASHES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10762462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Melvindale, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SHUT OFF VEHICLE , GOT OUT OF DRIVERS SIDE. SHUT DOOR AND AS I CLOSED DOOR ALL MY LOCKS ON DOOR LOCKED DOWN. MY GRANDAUGHTER WAS STRAPPED INTO A CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND WE WERE UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS TO GET HER OUT. WE HAD TO CONTACT POLICE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET DOORS TO UNLOCK. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK , THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED DOWN . AFTER 30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET INTO CAR WE FINALLY GOT MY GRANDAUGHTER TO SQUEEZE OUT OF HER CAR SEAT UPON COAXING HER WE GOT HER TO GET HER CAR SEAT BELT UNLOCKED , SHE TRIED PUSHING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTONS BUT NOTHING WOULD WORK, WE HAD HER TRY TO USE WINDOW BUTTONS BUT THEY WOULD NOT WORK EITHER , WE TRIED HAVING HER MANUALLY UNLOCK DOOR BUT THEY WOULD UNLOCK BUT DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. UPON DESPAIR WE HAD HER TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND I CAREFULLY HAD HER PUSH UNLOCK BUTTON ON KEY CHAIN AND FINALLY THEY ENGAGED AND UNLOCKED THE DOORS AND WINDOWS AND WE GOT HER OUT. THIS COULD'VE BEEN A REAL DANGEROUS INCIDENT IF SHE WOULD OF NOT BEEN ABLE TO FOLLOW MY DIRECTIONS THANK GOD SHE WAS SMART. OR IF CAR WOULD OF BEEN RUNNING I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED . THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE I WAS IN PASSENGER SIDE WHILE MY HUSBAND WENT INTO BANK AND STORE. I BECAME LOCKED IN THE CAR . I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE I HAVE READ THIS HAPPENING TO MANY TRAILBLAZERS OWNERS. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10669523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles East Orleans, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

COMMUNICATED TO GM HELP CENTER 10/30/2014: MY 2003 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN THE REAR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 63,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I "GOOGLED" THE PROBLEM AND FOUND IT TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE. IN PART: NHTSA #: PE07014 "IN JUNE 2007, GM WILL EXPAND ITS SPECIAL POLICY TO ADDRESS FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) FRACTURES." WILL YOU HELP ME REMEDY THIS PROBLEM? SHORT STORY, THEY REVIEWED MY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND ULTIMATELY DECLINED ANY REMEDY. I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS PASTED, BUT MY ISSUE IS I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION AS NOTED IN NHTSA # PE07014. HAD I RECEIVED THAT NOTIFICATION I WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE FOLLOWED UP ON THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS VERY LOW MILES FOR BEING A 2003. IN VIEW OF THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION, I THINK THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED AS OUTLINED AS PART OF PE07014. HAD I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND IGNORED IT, THEN IT WOULD MY PROBLEM, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION.

NHTSA complaint #10651506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles East Orleans, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

COMMUNICATED TO GM HELP CENTER 10/30/2014: MY 2003 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN THE REAR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 63,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I "GOOGLED" THE PROBLEM AND FOUND IT TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE. IN PART: NHTSA #: PE07014 "IN JUNE 2007, GM WILL EXPAND ITS SPECIAL POLICY TO ADDRESS FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) FRACTURES." WILL YOU HELP ME REMEDY THIS PROBLEM? SHORT STORY, THEY REVIEWED MY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND ULTIMATELY DECLINED ANY REMEDY. I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS PASTED, BUT MY ISSUE IS I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION AS NOTED IN NHTSA # PE07014. HAD I RECEIVED THAT NOTIFICATION I WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE FOLLOWED UP ON THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS VERY LOW MILES FOR BEING A 2003. IN VIEW OF THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION, I THINK THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED AS OUTLINED AS PART OF PE07014. HAD I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND IGNORED IT, THEN IT WOULD MY PROBLEM, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION.

NHTSA complaint #10651506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Surprise, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT FRONT PANEL NO LONGER OPERATES. ALL GAUGES DO NOT OPERATE (SPEEDOMETER, OIL, GAS. TEMP...).

NHTSA complaint #10567946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Schenectady, NY

SUSPENSION

FRAME HOLDING FRONT SUSPENSION RUSTED.

NHTSA complaint #10519915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Haymarket, VA Fire

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOW CONTROL ON THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED ON FIRE AND MELTED SOME OF THE DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE HEATED SEAT BUTTONS ON THE WINDOW CONTROL MODULE. (P/N 15096223). THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE (NO KEYS IN IGNITION) WHEN THE WINDOW STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF AND SMOKE STARTED FLOWING OUT. COMPLETELY MELTED THE FRONT 4PIN CONNECTER AND WIRING HARNESS I STILL HAVE THE MELTED PART IF NEEDED FOR ANYTHING. I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT YOU HAVE NOW OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION ON 2006-2007 MODELS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. I HAD DID A FEW INTERNET SEARCHES LOOKING FOR RECALLS OR SUCH. DID FIND A COUPLE POST WHERE SIMILAR THINGS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHERS WHERE OTHERS HAD STATED HAVING TO DO WITH WATER COMING IN THE WINDOW AND SHORTING THE SWITCH (IF THIS HELPS) THANKS

NHTSA complaint #10447877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Haymarket, VA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER WINDOW CONTROL ON THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED ON FIRE AND MELTED SOME OF THE DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE HEATED SEAT BUTTONS ON THE WINDOW CONTROL MODULE. (P/N 15096223). THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE (NO KEYS IN IGNITION) WHEN THE WINDOW STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF AND SMOKE STARTED FLOWING OUT. COMPLETELY MELTED THE FRONT 4PIN CONNECTER AND WIRING HARNESS I STILL HAVE THE MELTED PART IF NEEDED FOR ANYTHING. I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT YOU HAVE NOW OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION ON 2006-2007 MODELS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR. I HAD DID A FEW INTERNET SEARCHES LOOKING FOR RECALLS OR SUCH. DID FIND A COUPLE POST WHERE SIMILAR THINGS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHERS WHERE OTHERS HAD STATED HAVING TO DO WITH WATER COMING IN THE WINDOW AND SHORTING THE SWITCH (IF THIS HELPS) THANKS

NHTSA complaint #10447877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Erie, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I OWN A 2003 TRAILBLAZER SWB MODEL. I STARTED TO SMELL GAS. SEEING THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I WAITED UNTIL IT GOT WARM TO CHECK IT OUT. WHEN I TOOK OUT THE GAS TANK THERE WAS A PIN HOLE IN THE RETURN ON THE BASE OF THE SENDING UNIT. SO I CLEANED IT OFF WITH A WIRE BRUSH AND FOUND MORE PIN HOLES. I BELONG TO A TRAILBLAZER FORUM, AND THIS SEEMED TO BE A MORE PREVALENT PROBLEM THEN IT SHOULD BE.

NHTSA complaint #10187310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.