Problems · by component

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical system problems

382 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer cite electrical system, 30% of all 1,266 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
382
30% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
14
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Transmission doesn’t have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didn’t inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2023Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11509655
“NOTHING HAS HAPPENING YET TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS FIXED HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT SO STARTED HERE, PLEASE TELL ME IF NOT ALLOWED OR WHERE I CAN GET THE INFORMATION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2020Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11320478
“TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND MY SUV WAS PARKED IN THE YARD AND I WENT TO GO TO THE STORE AND OPENED MY DOOR AND FOUND THE TRUCK WAS FULL OF SMOKE! MY DRIVER SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE JUST SITTING THERE. NOT EVEN CRANKED! IT DESTROYED THE SEAT AND THE TOP OF THE SUV AND THE ROOF MELTED ALL OVER THE TRUCK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2019Electrical system, SeatsFire reportedODI 11252007
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2019Electrical systemODI 11234521
“I HAVE A HEAVY FUEL RUNOFF , FROM MY FUEL TANK. EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS ONLY RAN FOR A MINUTE. ALSO, MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE DOING SO,WHILE DRIVING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2018Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11130717
“MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING LOCALLY YESTERDAY 7/1/18 AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT A SLOW SPEED. SHE LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SHE WAS INJURED. THE CARS BRAKE LIGHTS HAD JUST GONE OUT AND THE BLOWER IS GOING ON AND OFF. I ASSUME THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FOR WHICH MY VIN IS NOT DISPLAYING A RECALL. THERE IS NOW DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE FENDER, CLEARLY DISPLAYING THAT THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, BASED ON THE 2 VEHICLE IMPACT POINTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2018Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11105209

Showing 6 of 382 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.