2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer steering problems

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONSTANT STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,476.

NHTSA complaint #10950358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE'S STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE PULLED BACK TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10863195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA complaint #10681287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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POWER STEERING LINE FAILED/CORRODED AND LEAKED ALL THE FLUID ON GROUND WITHOUT WARNING. UNKNOWN IF THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE UNIT.

NHTSA complaint #10631771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY CAR SHUT OFF AND I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE ALL OF THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10610579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WAS MAKING A TURN AT LOW SPEED WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED. HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10576051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUN 2003. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, VARIOUS RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR STEERING, BRAKE LIGHTS AND REAR HATCH LOCKING/HANDLE ASSEMBLY. SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN A LEMON. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED TWICE (FIRST ONE I PAID FOR, SECOND INDEPENDENT AND VERY RELIABLE MECHANIC SHOP PAID). NEXT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. LATER, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. I ALSO HAD TO GET THE COMPUTER CHECKED AND RESET TO AVOID SURGING ENGINE RPM AND RESULTANT SPEED DEVIATIONS. REACHING A POINT OF FRUSTRATION AS NEVER BEFORE, I WROTE GM ASKING FOR CONSIDERATION REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I KNOW THEY RECEIVED THE EMAIL SINCE I HAD A "RECEIPT REQUESTED" FEATURE ACTIVATED IN MY OFFICE COMPUTER. I SENT A SECOND EMAIL STATING I WAS AWARE OF THE EMAIL RECEIPT AND THAT I EXPECTED A RESPONSE. NO SUCH LUCK. ALL THESE PROBLEMS MANIFESTED THEMSELVES WELL BEFORE THE 100,000 MILES WERE REACHED. NOW AT APPROXIMATELY 132,000 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO A CRACK, THE VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS GONE TO ZERO AND BACK TO NORMAL SEVERAL TIMES AND THE LATEST IS AN ENGINE NOISE THAT MY VERY RELIABLE, 6 YEAR AUTO SERVICE PROVIDER HAS TOLD BE IS RELATED TO THE TIMING BELT ASSEMBLY/MOUNT POINTS AND AS IT GETS LOUDER, THE ENGINE WILL BE GETTING READY TO FAIL. SO, I READ ALL THESE COMPLAINTS TODAY AND FELT LIKE I COULD HAVE SUMMARIZED EVERYONE'S COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS. I AM AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR AND HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE MOST UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS CARS EVER BUILT. SHAME THE FEDS HAVE NOT TAKEN THE EXTRA STEPS TO REMEDY THE ISSUES AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS YET, THEY WENT AFTER TOP SELLING TOYOTA AT A TIME WHEN THE AMERICAN MADE CARS WERE BARELY ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT. WONDER?

NHTSA complaint #10437347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WATER HAS BEEN SEEN SEVERAL TIMES DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK IN THE CENTER AREA. IT APPEARS TO BE FROM THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. NO WET WEATHER AT THE TIME. IT APPEARS TO BE SOME SORT OF CONDENSATION. ALSO FAN CLUTCH FAILURE, SWAY BAR LINKAGES FAILURE, TIE-ROD FAILURE, RACK AND PINION FAILURE/LEAK, CONTROL ARM FAILURES 2 TIMES, WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD NOT TURN OFF FAILURE, WINDSHIELD WIPER RESERVOIR TANK LEAK REPLACED, AC COLD AIR FAILURE. ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10222408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. WHILE IDLING THE SPEEDOMETER READ 90 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DAMAGED. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 30 DEGREES THE STEERING COLUMN FROZE AND ACTIVATED THE HORN. THE HORN WILL NOT DEACTIVATE UNLESS THE FUSE WASREMOVED. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE, BUT THE PEDAL DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT MUST RELEASE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10188433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I OWN A 2003 TRAILBLAZER AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT. THEY HAVE REPLACED 4 FAN CLUTCHES, 3 COMPUTERS, TRANSMISSION JUST HAD ITS 2ND OVERHAUL AND NUMEROUS OTHER LITTLE ITEMS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,400 MILES ON IT AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.

NHTSA complaint #10174085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

HIGH PITCH WHIRRING SOUND EMANATING FROM THE FRONT UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SOUND INCREASED AS ACCELERATION INCREASED. DIFFICULTY IN STEERING BECAME PROMINENT. RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOOT. GASOLINE TANK LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR, WHEN FULL, LEAKED GASOLINE.

NHTSA complaint #10164407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

HIGH PITCH WHIRRING SOUND EMANATING FROM THE FRONT UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SOUND INCREASED AS ACCELERATION INCREASED. DIFFICULTY IN STEERING BECAME PROMINENT. RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOOT. GASOLINE TANK LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR, WHEN FULL, LEAKED GASOLINE.

NHTSA complaint #10164407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TIE ROD END FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10161227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVING A REGULAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. IN ADDITION, NHTSA RECALL, #04V527000 REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS IN THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CONTACTED. IN ADDITION, RESURFACED REAR ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS. ALSO, REPLACED REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM. THE DOOR LOCSK WERE INOPERATIVE. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 05/30/06.

NHTSA complaint #10156810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DRAGGING FEELING WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. SOUNDED LIKE METAL SCRAPPING AGAINST METAL.

NHTSA complaint #10150575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD AND STIFF WHEN I TRIED TO TURN LEFT. ON THE SAME DAY, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AGAIN AND I HAD TROUBLE TURNING. WHEN PARKING AT WORK, I COULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT FIRST PUTTING SERIOUS EFFORT INTO TURNING. MIGHT BE A BAD STEERING PUMP, BUT MOST LIKELY RACK AND PINION ISSUES. ALSO, I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS LOW. STEERING FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THE CAR DEALER ABOUT THIS SINCE THIS IS MOST LIKELY COVERED UNDER GM WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10136241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD AND STIFF WHEN I TRIED TO TURN LEFT. ON THE SAME DAY, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AGAIN AND I HAD TROUBLE TURNING. WHEN PARKING AT WORK, I COULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT FIRST PUTTING SERIOUS EFFORT INTO TURNING. MIGHT BE A BAD STEERING PUMP, BUT MOST LIKELY RACK AND PINION ISSUES. ALSO, I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS LOW. STEERING FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THE CAR DEALER ABOUT THIS SINCE THIS IS MOST LIKELY COVERED UNDER GM WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10136241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

I HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEMS AS STATED IN 10047425. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OUT COMPLETELY ON A RAINY DAY, MODULE REPLACED, A/C BROKE ON A HOT DAY-FIXED, POWER STEERING ASSIST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY MAKING DRIVING THE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, VEHICLE STARTED ON RESERVE POWER WHEN TEMP HIT -6 DEGREES, HEATER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY THE NEXT DAY -10 DEGREES. BASICALLY THIS VEHICLE DOESN'T LIKE CHANGES IN WEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #10055194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS; RACK AND PINION FAILED TWICE/AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED TWICE/VEHICLE STALLED AT TAKE OFF/ OIL LEAK, AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. ALSO, VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10054097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE, MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING TO HIS HOCKEY GAME. IN THE VEHICLE WITH HIM WERE TEAMMATES AND SEVERAL FRIENDS. LUCKILY HE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE AND NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY RESULTED.

NHTSA complaint #10052849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS DONE TO MY NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE 2003 TRAILBLAZER FOR 7 MONTHS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7 TIMES-2 TIMES FOR THE COOLANT SYSTEM-1 TIME FOR MY MASTER CYLINDER-3 TIMES FOR MY CIRCUIT BOARDS-NOW FOR MY STEERING AND MY STARTER( I BELIEVE MY TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP AS I AM TYPING THIS LETTER) I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND GM BUT NO ONE IS TRYING TO REPLACE MY TRUCK WITH SOMETHING THAT IS NOT IN THE SHOP EVERY MONTH. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10042997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE CAR CONSTANTLY WANDERS (ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS) CAUSING ME TO CONTINUALLY CORRECT THE CAR TO STAY WITHIN THE LINES OF THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 2XS AND THE PERFORMED 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE AS IT STARTED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST NOV 2002 AND CONTINUES EVERY DAY. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS WANDERING ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE. I AGAIN DISAGREE SINCE THE ONLY REASON I HAVE TO ADJUST IS DUE TO THE WANDERING WHICH HAPPENS ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10021414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STEERED OFF TO THE LEFT AND HIT A TREE. CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8017401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.