2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT suspension problems

SUSPENSION

PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER-EXT LT IN DEC 2002 FROM THE DEALER, TEAM CHEVROLET IN PASADENA. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS, ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT KEEPS RECURRING ARE THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP BURNING, THE DEALER CHANGED BOTH UNITS BUT IT KEEPS BURNING OUT. I GOT TIRED OF TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, SO I PURCHASED NEW BULBS AND LOOKED INTO REPLACING THEM MYSELF. HOWEVER WHEN I UNSCREWED THE BULB, I NOTICED THE BULB JUST DIDN'T BURN NORMALLY (LIKE A HOME LAMP) IT LOOKED MORE OF AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, THE LINING OF WHERE THE BULB IS SCREWED IN LOOKED LIKE IT HAD WHITE RESIDUE AND IT SMELLED SMOKY. ALSO, DON'T KNOW IF ITS THE SHOCKS OR SUSPENSION,MAKES ODD NOISES. DEALER SAID ITS FINE, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE.SHORLY AFTER MY ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON...THE DEALER COULD NOT FIGURE WHAT WAS WRONG AFTER A 2 TO 3 WEEK AND COSTLY EXPENSE AND TIME...THEY SWITCHED OUT THE GAS TANK...COME TO FIND OUT, THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM, THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN, THEY SAID ONE OF THE PISTONS NEEDED REPLACING...$$$ THAT WAS A BIG EXPENSE AND TIME CONSUMING... EVERYTIME I TOOK IT TO THEM IT, SOMETHING WAS FIXED, THEY CHARGE, I PAY, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON, IT GOT FRUSTRATING. TILL, THEY FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT. NOW MY CAR SOUNDS HORRIBLE (SHOCKS/SUSPENSION NOISE GOT WORSE) WHEN I GO OVER CITY BUMPS OR DRIVING EVEN SMALL LIKE HILLS, AND MIND YOU,WHICH IS DRIVEN BY MYSELF (FEMALE 124LBS) IT SHOULDN'T SQUEAK OR MAKE NOISES, THE BRAKES PEDAL MAKES A NOISE WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON IT....YES IT HAS 90K MILES AND IT'S AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR, BUT I KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCES, I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE SAME DEALER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED, ONLY DRIVE IT TO AND FROM WORK....THE CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION, NO HIT/SCRATCHES/NO TEARS.... I CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY.... ARE THERE ANY OTHER RECALLS, THE DEALER ISN'T AWARE OF??? FOR INSTANCE THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE GAS TANK RECALL..WHICH THEY WERE CHARGING ME OVER $1200 TO REPAIR, HOW CAN I TRUST THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB?

NHTSA complaint #10315703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE FRONT GOING BAD.HAVE TO REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10213744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT END NOISES. SQUEAKS AND POPS FROM SUSPENSION.

NHTSA complaint #10202548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

I OWN A 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT @ 35,825 MILES I REPORTED MY VEHICLE BINDS UP ON TURNS & OF COURSE THE GARAGE FOUND NOTHING (DROVE IT 20 MILES FOR COMPARISON @ THE TIME). SO NOW THAT I AM UP TO 82,090 MILES NOW I MENTION SUSPENSION ISSUES STILL & OF COURSE THEY FIND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED @ $320.06 & LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END BROKEN @ $170.80. ALSO THEY INFORM ME I NEED TO REPLACE 3 OF MY 4 STABILIZER BAR LINKS ARE LOOSE & RATTLING @ AN ESTIMATE OF $320.00 (HAVEN'T DONE YET) ALSO, I HAVE LOOKED ON A WEBSITE CALLED MYCARSTATS.COM & FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THESE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE @ MUCH LOWER MILEAGE & WHERE TIE ROD ISSUE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT -- THEY WEREN'T AS LUCKY AS ME. ALSO PEOPLE I WORK WITH WHO HAVE THIS SAME YR & MODEL VEHICLE HAVE HAD TO HAVE BALL JOINTS, SWAY BARS REPLACED, AND OTHER SUSPENSION WORK @ LOWER MILEAGES. I ALSO HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY 4-WHEEL DRIVE BECOMING INOPERATIVE & THIS DID ALMOST CAUSE ME TO WRECK GOING UP HILL DURING WINTER WEATHER. THEY REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ENGAGEMENT ACTUATOR. ALL THESE THINGS IN MY MIND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT THESE MILEAGES. THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE QUIT @ 80,000 MILES. ALL THESE ISSUES CAN CREATE SAFE DRIVING ISSUES FOR THE CONSUMER ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO PAYS OVER $30,000 FOR A VEHICLE WHEN IT'S NEW. LET ME ADD NOW THAT THE LATEST EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO ADD TO MY LIST IS THE FAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ON MY ENGINE COOLING FAN SYSTEM $573.00 -- ALSO FOUND MANY GM OWNERS OF BRAVADA, RAINERS, ENVOYS & TRAILBLAZERS EXPERIENCING THIS ITEMS FAILURE TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10188436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

I OWN A 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT @ 35,825 MILES I REPORTED MY VEHICLE BINDS UP ON TURNS & OF COURSE THE GARAGE FOUND NOTHING (DROVE IT 20 MILES FOR COMPARISON @ THE TIME). SO NOW THAT I AM UP TO 82,090 MILES NOW I MENTION SUSPENSION ISSUES STILL & OF COURSE THEY FIND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED @ $320.06 & LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END BROKEN @ $170.80. ALSO THEY INFORM ME I NEED TO REPLACE 3 OF MY 4 STABILIZER BAR LINKS ARE LOOSE & RATTLING @ AN ESTIMATE OF $320.00 (HAVEN'T DONE YET) ALSO, I HAVE LOOKED ON A WEBSITE CALLED MYCARSTATS.COM & FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THESE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE @ MUCH LOWER MILEAGE & WHERE TIE ROD ISSUE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT -- THEY WEREN'T AS LUCKY AS ME. ALSO PEOPLE I WORK WITH WHO HAVE THIS SAME YR & MODEL VEHICLE HAVE HAD TO HAVE BALL JOINTS, SWAY BARS REPLACED, AND OTHER SUSPENSION WORK @ LOWER MILEAGES. I ALSO HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY 4-WHEEL DRIVE BECOMING INOPERATIVE & THIS DID ALMOST CAUSE ME TO WRECK GOING UP HILL DURING WINTER WEATHER. THEY REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL ENGAGEMENT ACTUATOR. ALL THESE THINGS IN MY MIND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT THESE MILEAGES. THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE QUIT @ 80,000 MILES. ALL THESE ISSUES CAN CREATE SAFE DRIVING ISSUES FOR THE CONSUMER ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO PAYS OVER $30,000 FOR A VEHICLE WHEN IT'S NEW. LET ME ADD NOW THAT THE LATEST EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO ADD TO MY LIST IS THE FAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ON MY ENGINE COOLING FAN SYSTEM $573.00 -- ALSO FOUND MANY GM OWNERS OF BRAVADA, RAINERS, ENVOYS & TRAILBLAZERS EXPERIENCING THIS ITEMS FAILURE TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10188436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT CAME OUT CAUSING THE LOWER BALL JOINT TO ALSO COME OUT RESULTING IN A CUT ABS SENSOR WIRE AND A BENT STRUT AND FINALLY A AXLE THAT RIPPED OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE WHICH DESTROYED THE CASE COVER.

NHTSA complaint #10171395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT CAME OUT CAUSING THE LOWER BALL JOINT TO ALSO COME OUT RESULTING IN A CUT ABS SENSOR WIRE AND A BENT STRUT AND FINALLY A AXLE THAT RIPPED OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE WHICH DESTROYED THE CASE COVER.

NHTSA complaint #10171395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR DRIVING OVER A BUMP HEARD A LOUD NOISE. IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH METAL WAS RUBBING TOGETHER. THIS HAPPENED WHEN SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE LOT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT SUSPENSION SWAY BAR AND FRONT CONTROL ARM SIX TIMES, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY SIX MONTHS OR 3,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005.

NHTSA complaint #10144210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

CONTACT STATES: LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED AND VEHICLE MAKES A NOISE WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. CONTACT SAYS THAT 2002 CHEVROLET, TRAILBLAZER WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HE IS HAVING.

NHTSA complaint #10119590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONSUMER FELT A STRANGE WOBBLE SENSATION IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE TIRE ON THAT SIDE . SEVERAL MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE LEFT SIDE. FOUR WEEKS LATER THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10073407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

THIS VEHICLE IS 4 MONTHS OLD AND JUST ROLLED OVER TO 7000 MILES. IT IS IN THE SHOP CURRENTLY FOR THE SIXTH TIME AND HAS NOW BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION FOR OVER 30 DAYS. IT HAS HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS; VALVE BODY TWICE, TORQUE CONVERTER, SHIFT SOLENOID, BTSI SOLENOID, FLOOR SHIFTER (WITH CONSOLE) ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FOR THE SECOND TIME; 1ST TIME TO REPAIR PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND REPAIRED PER SERVICE BULLETIN. OBVIOUSLY THAT DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS I JUST HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE 4WD INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT GO OUT OF A4WD UNLESS I SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND RESTART. THE DEALER JUST CALLED AND SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE CONTROL MOTOR ? THAT GOES TO THE TRANSFER CASE. I AM MECHANICALLY CHALLENGED AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT MOST OF THESE COMPONETS ARE. THE SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE LEAKING AT 6000 MILES. THE EXHAUST SHIELDS HAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED AS THEY WERE RATTLING ON ACCELERATION. SPOKE TO CHEVY REPRESENTATIVE, THEY SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT REPLACING THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS UNDER WARRANY AND I WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP TAKING IT BACK FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED FREE OIL CHANGES AND TIRE ROTATIONS FOR A YEAR. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS AN INSULT AND THAT THIS IS NOT THE LAST TIME THAT THEY WILL HEAR FROM ME. I AM FILING UNDER LEMON LAW WITH AN ATTORNEY AS I DO NOT BELIEVE I WILL GET VERY FAR ON MY OWN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN GREAT, IT BREAKS THEY FIX IT AND IT BREAKS AGIAN AND THEY FIX IT, THAT'S ALL THAT THEY CAN DO. MY PROBLEM LIES WITH CHEVROLET/GENERAL MOTORS AND THIS TRUCK THAT I BELIEVE WAS PUT ON THE MARKET WITH DESIGN FLAWS.

NHTSA complaint #10056991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.