Problems · by component

2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer power train problems

153 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer cite power train, 12% of all 1,266 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
153
12% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While driving my Trailblazer in A4WD on slippery road conditions, I went to pulled out of a parking lot and there was a loud sound like my whole front end fell out and the front end completely locked up. Almost causing an accident. I had to dial back to 2HI quickly to unlock to front end. There was no light indicating any problems. Been driving it 2HI since with out any problems. Still no service light or anything, but feels like I'm stuck in A4WD. Feels like there is a drag and a pulling to the right. Also using more gas since. It was a scary, afraid to try the 4x4 functions again. Another snow storm is on the way!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2022Power trainODI 11447243
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2019Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11245181
“DRIVING DOWN ROAD ON THE WAY TO HOSPITAL AND TRAILBLAZER MADE A LOUD CLUNK. THEN STARTED MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE. FINISHED DRIVING SLOWLY TO HOSPITAL AS NOT TO MESS ANYTHING ELSE UP. PULLED IN AND PARKED. GOT READY TO LEAVE HOSPITAL AND HAD NO REVERSE ONLY FOWARD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2017Power trainODI 11010243
“MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION I HAD TO UNSCREW AND REMOVE THE BOTTOM OF MY STEERING TO PUSH THE BUTTON ALSO ALL OF MY INSTRUMENT GAUGE DO NOT WORK INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND ALL GAUGES SO I NEVER KNOW MY TEMPERATURE OR FUEL LEVEL, OIL PRESSURE THEY ALL ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY MY SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES. ALSO MY ENGINE IS RUNNY ROUGH AND I HEAR A VIBRATION AND TICKING. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS AND I'M GETTING CODE SAYING THERES A LEAK IN THE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND EVERYONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2003 TRAILBLAZERS. WHY ISN'T CHEVROLET RECALLING THESE PROBLEMS ITS FUSTRATING THEY WANT SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS I CANNOT AFFORD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2017Power train, Electrical systemODI 10981537
“I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL TWICE IN 10 MONTHS. I BOUGHT NEW PARTS FOR IT NOT USED THAT WERE REDONE TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEMS IT HAD NOW IT HAS GONE AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAVEN'T EVEN USED THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE YET SINCE THE LAST REPAIR. I HAVE RESEARCH IT AND I NOTICED A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2015Power trainODI 10811324
“I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWICE NOW I HAVE IN FACT REPORTED TO GM ASKING IF THERE WAS ANY RECOURSE I MAY TAKE AND THEY SIMPLY FLAT OUT TOLD ME NO! SO I STARTED HEARING A NOISE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO NOT SHIFT PROPERLY TO THE POINT YOU COULD NOT DRIVE IT. TO ME THIS I CONSIDER THIS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE IF IT STOPPED MOVING ALTOGETHER I'D BE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING. I DO HAVE AN INVOICE BUT NO SCANNER, IT DID COST ME 3K OR BETTER ON BOTH OCCASIONS TO REPLACE IT. I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING I'M ABLE TO DO TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE INCONVENIENCE I'VE CONCURRED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2015Power trainODI 10787053

Showing 6 of 153 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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 OTHER THAN PARK. IN ADDITION, THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVERRIDE THAT CAN ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.

Power trainReported Mar 6, 2003NHTSA 03V075000
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.