Most common 2003 Chevrolet Blazer problems
Share of the 77 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Blazer complaints by model year
Best Blazer years: 2022, 2019, 2021. Years to avoid: 2025, 2024, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2003 Chevrolet Blazer recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Remedy: Owners will be provided with correct labels and installation instructions. Owner notification began on June 4, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
What 2003 Chevrolet Blazer owners say
Air bags
Takata inflators: I had left my house headed to work at approximately 6:30 am and got on i40 eastbound, it had snowed the day before and the roads had been treated and were clear for travel, I was traveling on a 3 lane highway in the left lane @ aprox 50mph and I applied my brakes to do upcoming traffic, when the ABS system locked. I attempted to let off and re apply the brake but the ABS system just stayed engaged and the front end started sliding hard to the left and I steered away from the pull. I subsequently hit the center concrete wall at approx. 40mph with the front passenger side of my car, which caused me to spin around and hit the passenger rear, I continued to spin until I was facing back east. My air bags did not deploy but it caused severe damage to core support and passenger side frame horn. …
Dt*: the contact stated that both front airbags of the vehicle did not deploy during a crash which occurred while traveling 45 MPH. The vehicle was headed east on a narrow, rough, bumpy road when it approached an intersection and struck another vehicle heading north. The other vehicle briefly stopped at the stop sign and pulled out into the intersection 15 feet before the contact's vehicle reached the intersection. This resulted in the contact's vehicle crashing into the front driver side door of the other vehicle. Both occupants were wearing their seat belts. The airbag warning light was not on prior to the crash. The police took pictures and a report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection.
Transmission & drivetrain
Purchased new 2003 Chevrolet Blazer with manual transmission on 08/08/2003. I did not drive the car on 08/09/2003, but drove it again on 08/10/2002. Twice on 08/08/2003, and four times on 08/10/2003, when starting from a stop, I experienced a significant failure of the transmission, which substantially impairs the use and safety of the vehicle. In first gear, with no warning, either visible, audible, or tactile, the transmission violently throws the gear shift lever out of first gear, bringing the vehicle suddenly into neutral. I have put about 100 miles on the car in total since I purchased it, and this has happened six times. I have been lucky, I have avoided being struck, but it is only a matter of time. I will be in touch with the dealership as soon as it is open to seek warranty repairs.
2003 Chevy Blazer transfer case control module problem causing it to have trouble shifting the transmission. ** answer required*** after the repairs were made, the next day, the consumer experienced transmission problems again. The consumer had problems shifting to and out of 4 low, and it would not go into 4 high. When the consumer was driving down hill in the snow, he applied the brakes and the vehicle spun out of control and stopped against a guardrail. There was minor damage to the front bumper and valance panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the transfer case control module was replaced again.
Body & structure
I opened the drivers door on my 2003 Chevrolet Blazer with only 13,000 miles and the door dropped down in my hands. The pins that hold the door hinge had partly lifted out. It would not have been out of the question for the pin to have fallen out completly in which case the hinge would have come completely apart and the door would have fallen off the vehicle. When I called the Chevy dealer they were well aware of the problem. Apparently this happens all the time with s10 pickiups and blazers. Aside from the frustration of such a shoddy design I am afraid to think of the effect of such a failure at 65 MPH or of a door coming off in an accident as a result of faulty hinges.
Heat actuator defective, had to be replaced-constant warm air blows on feet without anything on. Moon-roof improperly assembled at factory-water pours into my truck. Rear lift gate seal defective-leaking, rear side small triangular window seals-defective-leaking; seams on roof of truck leaking-found a hole in roof where more water was seeping in.
2003 Chevrolet Blazer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer a good car?
Based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Blazer rates better than average: 77% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Blazer at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer?
The air bags — 14 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (12) and body & structure (12).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer have?
There is 1 recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer, the most recent from March 18, 2004 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Blazer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2019 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2024, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full Chevrolet Blazer years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Blazer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 45,000 miles; 52% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.