Problems · by component

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer exterior lighting problems

106 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer cite exterior lighting, 8% of all 1,266 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
106
8% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT DUSK, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED SONS CHEVROLET (3615 MANCHESTER EXPY, COLUMBUS, GA 31909, (706) 322-8888), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11181328
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT WAS PULLED OVER BY A STATE TROOPER AND INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V527000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2018Exterior lightingODI 11155596
“THE LIGHTS MELT THE HARNESSES IN THE FRONT LIGHTS FREQUENTLY. MORE THAN 2 TIMES A YEAR THE TAIL LIGHT NEEF CONSTANT REPLACEMENT FROM FAULTY WIRING. THE WIRES ARE NOT BIG ENOUGB TO HANDLE THE LOAD. IT HAPPENS AT ANY TIME IT WANTS DOESNT MATTER IF ITS SITTING IN PARK OR DRIVING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lightingFire reportedODI 11082576
“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT AND HAVE TO TURN ON MY BRIGHTS. NOW, THEY ALSO GO OUT, WHICH HINDERS ME GOING, ANYWHERE AFTER DARK. I'VE TRIED TO GET IT CHECKED AND CAR REPAIR SERVICES DO NOT KNOW WHY.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT,!!! I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND MANUFACTURERS WILL, FIX THIS, FOR FREE. I NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS TRUE AND WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM.???? LIGHTS WILL GO OUT WHETHER I AM MOVING OR STOPPED AT LIGHT, INTERSECTION,,ETC. CITY OR HIGHWAY, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 5 YEARS,,,,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2017Exterior lightingODI 11033367
“THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING OVER THE REAR HATCH TOTALLY BROKE OFF WHICH I HAVE NOTICED ON NUMEROUS SIMILAR VEHICLES. NOW CHEVROLET IS CHARGING ALMOST $300.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT . IVE NOTICED TOO MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL WITH EITHER COMPLETELY MISSING THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSEINGS OR A TAPED UP REPAIR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2017Exterior lightingODI 11004804
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND LATER TURNED BACK ON. THE HEADLIGHTS ON/OFF SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2016Exterior lightingODI 10908382

Showing 6 of 106 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

2 recalls on this component

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Free remedy

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 SIDE ONLY.

Exterior lightingReported May 5, 2005NHTSA 05V198000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Nov 1, 2004NHTSA 04V527000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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