13 of the
406 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT are about the
braking system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
71,700 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11155988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesRoseville, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
MY WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN TRAVELING ON I-94 E AND EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE 12 MILE EXIT IN ROSEVILLE MI. MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AS THEY APPROACHED THE RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL ON THE 12 MILE EXIT RAMP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT NARROWLY MISSING A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WITH BOTH EAST AND WEST BOUND TRAFFIC ON 12-MILE ROAD. SHE CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON THE RED LIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE SUV SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS DOWN THE SERVICE DRIVE. SHE SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND I CHECKED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKE WARNING OR ANY OTHER INDICATORS ON THE DASH. I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND COULDN'T EVEN HOLD THE VEHICLE WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVE POSITION. I ALSO NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I'M GOING TO LIMP THE VEHICLE TO MORAN CHEVROLET IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI AND LEAVE IT WITH THOSE THAT SOLD ME THIS DEATHTRAP. ANOTHER AND PERHAPS EVEN GREATER SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE IS THE SUV'S TENDENCY TO MISBEHAVE WHILE IN AWD MODE. THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES GOES IN REVERSE WHILE DRIVE IS SELECTED AND VICE VERSA. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL WHILE ENGAGED IN DRIVE MODE OR WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. OH AND LAST WEEK I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY AFTER IT FAILED AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT GM HAD COMPLETED THE RELATED RECALL WORK THAT SIGNED OFF AS BEING COMPLETE FOR THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR AND LINKAGE ASSEMBLY. I SEE I'M NOT ALONE IN HAVING SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC SAFETY RELATED FAILURES WITH THIS PARTICULAR SUV. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND FORCE GM TO RECALL TO FIX THIS CORROSION ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I ALMOST LOST MY FAMILY LAST EVENING AND WILL ASSUME IT WOULD HAVE MADE NATIONAL NEWS HAD THEY DIED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10761751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesChambersburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DRIVING APPROX 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY HEARD A "WHAP WHAP WHAP" NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I SLOWED DOWN, AND THE SOUND DIMINISHED. ARRIVING HOME, I FOUND THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD COME LOOSE AT BOTH ENDS. THE TWO CENTER CONNECTIONS LUCKILY HELD, OR ELSE THE PIECE WOULD HAVE COME OFF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER TRAILBLAZERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10475663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesFarmington Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
INNER CALIPERS OF FRONT BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OUT OF INNER PAD AND IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO FRONT ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10430655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,700 milesCarthage, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS A THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ACROSS THE TOP HATCH .WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY IT WAS FLYING LIKE A WING ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE LUCKILY DOT FALLING COMPLETELY OFF BUT WHEN I STOPPED IT CAME CRASHING DOWN ONTO MY WINDOW OF HATCH LUCKILY NOT BREAKING ALL I COULD DO IS BREAK IT COMPLETELY OFF SO IT WOULD NOT FLY INTO SOMEONE'S WINDSHIELD BEHIND ME I WORK WITH A LADY WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND HERS FLEW RIGHT OFF HER LATCH CAUSING IT TO SMASH LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND HER. I ALSO HAVE IT IN THE SHOP DUE TO RUSTY CORRODED HOSES THAT WENT TO TRANSMISSION CAUSING ALL FLUID TO DRAIN ALMOST BURNING UP MY TRANSMISSION NO INDICATION LIGHTS EVER CAME ON OTHER THAN IT SKIPPING A LITTLE LUCKILY A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK LATER I TOOK IT TO GARAGE AND JUST IN TIME. UNFORTUNATELY EVEN WITH POWER TRAIN WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM IS COSTING ME 500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET NO FAULT OF MINE WHEEL WELLS AND BRAKE DRUMS HAVE BEEN BEATEN DUE TO LOTS OF RUST BUILD UP AND DOORS THAT WERE RECALLED AND FIXED THREE TIMES STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT ALSO FRONT HEADLIGHT REPLACED TWICE IN TWO YEARS CAUSING ME TO BE PULLED OVER TWICE AS I DID NOT REALIZE THE PROBLEM OF MY LIGHTS GOING OUT FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10202853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400,050 milesRochester, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT! POWER WINDOW ASSEMBLY BROKE AND REPAIRED TWICE ON THE SAME DOOR, INOPERABLE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT, FRONT DASHBOARD GETS EXTREMELY HOT AT ALL TIMES, BRAKES SQUEAL ALL THE TIME (DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND WAS REMEDIED WITH CERAMIC BRAKE PADS AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS), TRANSMISSION HAS POOR SHIFTING PATTERN (BULLETIN PROVIDED A NEW SHIFT PROGRAM FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DEALER INSTALLED BUT IS RIGHT BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL PROBLEM AFTER 3 MONTHS).
NHTSA complaint #10166610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesWolcott, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNED 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND WAS HAVING ROTOR PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT. THE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND WARPED ON THE INSIDE . THE TOTAL COST WAS $838.00 TO REPLACE THEMT. BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ROTORS. THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING AND VIBRATING WHEN TO TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. TALSO, HE BRAKES SQUEAKED IN REVERSE. T OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOW BEEN REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC.THE OWNER HA NOT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE OWNER KNEW THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10131385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesBrewster, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
WITHOUT ANY SQUEALING IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS BEFORE THE BRAKE FAILURE, AS I WOULD EXPECT FROM DETERIORATING BRAKES, THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER EXT FAILED. FORTUNATELY, THE METAL TO METAL SOUND HEARD ON FEB. 4, 2005, ALERTED MY WIFE TO CALL OUR LOCAL CHEVY SERVICE CENTER. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, THIS CAR HAD 29,000 MILES ON IT. NOT ONLY DID THE DEALER FIND THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE DIGGING INTO THE ROTOR SURFACE, BUT THEY FOUND THE REAR BRAKES WORN LOW AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PORTION OF THE ROTOR ROTTED. AT 29,000 MILES, TOTAL BRAKE OVERHAUL SHOULD NOT OCCUR. WHY HAD THE EMRGENCY BRAKE PORTION OF THE ROTOR ROTTED? WHEN MY WIFE CALLED THE 800 NUMBER TO REPORT THIS TO CHEVROLET, LISA KOINE, CHEVY'S REPRESENTATIVE, CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT BRADY-STANNARD IN BREWSETE, NY, SHE RETURNED OUR CALL AND TOLD US THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. GIVE ME A BREAK.SINCE WHEN DO CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY #1276.79 FOR A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHAUL AT 29,000 MILES? SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, I NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE ROTORS HAD RUSTED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOOK THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL. I QUESTION THIS. I OWNED AN ISUZU TROOPER PRIOR TO THIS CAR, AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT REPLACED UNTIL 92,000 MILES. WHAT KIND OF INFERIOR PARTS IS CHEVROLET USING?
NHTSA complaint #10126150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,327 milesMarietta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR IS NOT HOLDING THE CORRECT SETTINGS, AND CLICKS CONSTANTLY. THE MIRROR IS HITTING AGAINST SOMETHING, AND TURNS COMPLETELY TO THE GROUND. WHEN USING KEYLESS ENTRY THE MIRRORS ALSO TURN TO THE GROUND. THE MIRROR IS CHANGING BY ITSELF, AND IT IS NOT GOING BACK TO THE CORRECT SETTING. THE MIRROR IS ALWAYS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND IT IS FACING DOWNWARD. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR, AND FROM THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE HAS NOT WORKED. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 4 OR 5 TIMES TO BE CHECKED. DEALERSHIP INSISTS THE MIRROR IS WORKING FINE. BUT AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER LEAVES THE DEALERSHIP THE MIRROR WILL WORK FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND THEN STOP WORKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC DIDN'T WRITE DOWN THE PROBLEM WITH THE MIRROR IN HIS PAPERWORK, AND THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE JERKED AT TIMES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE REPROGRAMMING RESULTED IN POOR FUEL ECONOMY. THE CD PLAYER MADE A HISSING NOISE. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WOULD GRIND. THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH SHORTED. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED. RIGHT SIDE TAG LIGHT BULB BLEW.
NHTSA complaint #10125094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermitage, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE BRAKES O MY 2003 EXT. TRAILBLAZER ARE MUSHY. WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND CONSTANT PRESSURE IS HELD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL CONTINUES TO GO TOWARD THE FLOOR. I WAS SHOWN ANOTHER EXT. TRAILBLAZER AT THE DEALERS THAT HAD BRAKES ACTING THE SAME WAY AND I WAS TOLD IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SUV'S AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BRAKE PERFORMANCE BEFORE. IN CLOSE TRAFFIC, I HAVE PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK DUE TO THE FEELING THAT I AM GOING TO RUN OUT OF PEDAL TRAVEL.
NHTSA complaint #10088425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesJackson, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT END LOOSE, BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT DEFECTIVE/TWISTED. ROTORS WARPED NEEDED REPALCEMENT. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN DOOR. DIRVER SIDE MIRROR MOVES AROUND (PROGRAMED) WITHOUT NOTICE. TRANSMISSION ENGAGES ROUGH, FEELS LIKE IT SLIPPING. TAILGATE OUT OF ALLIGNMENT, REAR SEATBELT DEFECTIVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT, 4WD LOCKED UP IN PARKING LOT, FRONT END HAS SCRAPING NOISES WHEN TURNING, HEATED SEATS NOT WORKING, IRRATIC, TAILGATE PANEL FALLS OFF, DRIVER SEAT FRAME BROKEN NEEDED REPLACEMENT,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRRATIC.
NHTSA complaint #10075392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Polk, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
MY FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER 24,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD OTHER SUV AND THIS SEEMS LIKE INFERIOR PRODUCTS ARE BEING USED. THE DEALER HAD TO TURN ROTORS AND ALSO REPLACE A TORSION BAR. I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR WORK, I HAVE A COMPANY CAR AND THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED ON IT AT ALMOST 45,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10066395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesWasilla, AK
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER - PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2003 OFF OF THE SALES FLOOR - AROUND 5 MILES ON IT - TRUCK BEGAN SQUEAKING - TOOK IT IN, THEY SAID BAD BREAK PADS, CHANGED THEM OUT AND GAVE IT BACK (2 DAYS WITHOUT TRUCK) - SQUEAKING STILL THERE - TOOK IT BACK IN - SERVICE TECH SAID THE FRONT SPINDLE WAS BENT - TOLD ME I COULDN'T DRIVE IT IT WAS UNSAFE (5 MORE DAYS WITHOUT TRUCK) - AT THE SAME TIME THEY TAKE TRUCK TO BODY SHOP BECAUSE REAR HATCH WON'T SHUT IT TOO IS BENT - SAME WITH THE HOOD (HMMMMMMMM!!!!) - REAR WIPER MOTOR THEN BUSTS (NOW I'M ERKED) - DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 AND TRUCK SHUTS OFF - NO POWER STEERING ALMOST WRECK IT SEEMS THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE!!!!!!! - THEN BLOWER MOTOR WON'T SHUT OFF WITHOUT TAKING FUSE OUT ... NO HEAT IN REAR HEATERS, CLIMATE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK (YET A FEW MORE DAYS WITHOUT TRUCK)- THE LAST STRAW - MY 9 MONTH OLD TRUCK HAS A BROKEN TRANSFER CASE AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WENT OUT - OF COURSE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WENT OUT ON A STEEP HILL IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER - NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ALASKA NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A NEW TRUCK!!!!!! - HAD TO GET OUT OF A DEFECTIVE TRUCK SO NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH A BRAND NEW TAHOE THAT IS $10,000+ UPSIDE DOWN! YOU DECIDE WHO IS WRONG IN THIS CASE!
NHTSA complaint #10061979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.