Model year
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 901 complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 3 recalls and 327 complaints under TRAILBLAZER EXT and TRAILBLAZER EXT 370. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (170), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL (82), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (56). NHTSA lists 8 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,200–$4,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 1,149 complaints
- 2003 901 complaints
- 2004 1,081 complaints
- 2005 1,466 complaints
- 2006 1,108 complaints
- 2007 732 complaints
- 2008 193 complaints
- 2009 27 complaints
- 2021 196 complaints
- 2022 112 complaints
- 2023 73 complaints
- 2024 35 complaints
- 2025 25 complaints
- 2026 12 complaints
Recalls
05V198000 · May 5, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED…
04V527000 · Nov 1, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
04V046000 · Feb 4, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE…
03V250000 · Jul 15, 2003
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT…
03V151000 · Apr 23, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A LEFT-FRONT BRAKE PIPE WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SCORE AT A RANDOM LOCATION ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE PIPE AS THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THE BRAKE PIPE PARTIALLY OR FULLY FRACTURED, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD IMMEDIATELY…
03V075000 · Mar 6, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION…
03V051000 · Feb 14, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
02V222000 · Aug 9, 2002
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Complaints
901 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 68, fire flag on 14, injury field 66, deaths field 2. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| TRAILBLAZER EXT | 3 | 313 |
| TRAILBLAZER EXT 370 | 0 | 14 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE03042 | WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | Sep 17, 2003 | Jan 6, 2004 |
| PE04001 | FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELING · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | Jan 5, 2004 | May 7, 2004 |
| EA04002 | WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | Jan 6, 2004 | Feb 10, 2004 |
| PE04032 | BRAKE LAMP FAILURE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | Apr 6, 2004 | Aug 3, 2004 |
| EA04021 | BRAKE LAMP FAILURE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | Aug 3, 2004 | Nov 4, 2004 |
| PE07013 | FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | Mar 12, 2007 | Jul 10, 2007 |
2 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrailBlazer 2WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 2WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| TrailBlazer 4WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 19 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 4WD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 19 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 16 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.