2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext suspension problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VIBRATION WAS MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING. ALSO, WHILE ASCENDING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS, CONTROL ARMS, AND TENSION BELT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.”

“I'VE NOTICED THAT MY FRONT END WAS LOWER THAN USUAL. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY UPPER CONTROL ARMS WERE GIVING IN. I TOOK MY CAR TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES AND TO ALSO GET A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THAT IS WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE STRUT BASE THAT IS WELDED ONTO THE CHASSIS WAS ROTTING OFF. THE MECHANIC EXPRESSED THAT I WAS A VERY LUCKY GUY BECAUSE AT ANY POINT IN TIME DURING MY COMMUTE, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH SINCE I MOSTLY USE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY TO COMMUTE TO WORK. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL HE ACTUALLY SHOWED ME ALL THE ROTTED PARTS AND I WAS IN DEEP SHOCK ONCE I SAW WHAT HE WAS TELLING ME. I'M THANKFUL THAT THE CARS STRUT WAS LEANING ON THE INNER FENDER FRAME PREVENTING IT FROM COMPLETELY FALLING TO THE GROUND. I ASKED THE MECHANIC HOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAVE HAPPEN AND HE EXPLAINED THAT SINCE WE LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE IT SNOWS, THE SALT THAT IS APPLIED ON THE ROADS GETS TRAPPED INTO THE SLOTTED HOLES OF THE CHASSIS AND DETERIORATES WITH TIME. IT IS UNKNOWN OF THE TIME OF WHICH THE CHASSIS HAD BEGUN ROTTING.”

“ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (DASHBOARD). ALL GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY QUITS WORKING, ON STARTUP, SITTING RUNNING OR IN MOTION. TACHOMETER NEVER READS CORRECTLY. CAN OCCASIONALLY GET GAUGES TO RESET BY CLICKING IGNITION BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN RUN AND START POSITIONS. I KNOW OF 5 OTHER VEHICLE'S THAT ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS.”

“WAS MAKING A LANE CHANGE ON PERFECT ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE BACK END OF THE TRAILBLAZER STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. VEERED INTO THE MEDIAN AND WAS ABOUT TO DRIVE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. CRANKED HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES. *TR”

“2003 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER. NOTICED VERY ODD WEAR PATTERN ON FRONT TIRES. FRONT END OF CAR SEEMED "LOOSE". NO ACCIDENT, CAR JUST HARD TO STEER ACCURATELY. TOOK TO DEALER. BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. FRONT STRUTS WERE SHOT. DEALER REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINTS AND STRUTS. I'M A LITTLE OLD LADY WHO DRIVES IN TOWN - ONLY 65,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND FRONT END IS GOING OUT. POUR QUALITY! DEALER SAID FRONT END WORN BECAUSE CAR HAS 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND IS HEAVIER THAN PASSENGER CAR. I DO NOT DRIVE OFF ROAD. REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. NO HELP ON 60,000 MILE FRONT TIRES COMPLETELY SHOT IN 17,000. *TR”

“I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED ON MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LTZ. THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF IT HAPPENED 2 DAYS PRIOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING OUT OF TOWN ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH. A NEW CONTROL ARM HAS TO BE INSTALLED. I HAVE THE DEALER SAVING THE OLD PARTS INCLUDING THE BOLT. I FOUND THE BOLT HEAD AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY. *TR”