Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer - purchased in May of 2003 off of the sales floor - around 5 miles on it - truck began squeaking - took it in, they said bad break pads, changed them out and gave it back (2 days without truck) - squeaking still there - took it back in - service tech said the front spindle was bent - told me I couldn't drive it it was unsafe (5 more days without truck) - at the same time they take truck to body shop because rear hatch won't shut it too is bent - same with the hood (hmmmmmmmm!!!!) - rear wiper motor then busts (now I'm erked) - driving down the highway at 55 and truck shuts off - no power steering almost wreck it seems the gas gauge is not accurate!!!!!!! - then blower motor won't shut off without taking fuse out ... …
Dt: left driver's side outside mirror is not holding the correct settings, and clicks constantly. The mirror is hitting against something, and turns completely to the ground. When using keyless entry the mirrors also turn to the ground. The mirror is changing by itself, and it is not going back to the correct setting. The mirror is always making a clicking noise and it is facing downward. There is no problem with the right side. The dealer replaced the right side mirror, and from then on the left side has not worked. Consumer has taken vehicle to dealership 4 or 5 times to be checked. Dealership insists the mirror is working fine. But as soon as the consumer leaves the dealership the mirror will work for a couple of hours and then stop working properly. …
My 2003 Chevy Trailblazer has a third brake light across the top hatch .while driving down a busy highway it was flying like a wing on the back of my vehicle luckily dot falling completely off but when I stopped it came crashing down onto my window of hatch luckily not breaking all I could do is break it completely off so it would not fly into someone's windshield behind me I work with a lady with the same make and model and hers flew right off her latch causing it to smash luckily no one was behind her. I also have it in the shop due to rusty corroded hoses that went to transmission causing all fluid to drain almost burning up my transmission no indication lights ever came on other than it skipping a little luckily a service engine light came on a week later I took it to garage and just in time. …
Dealer was contacted jan 2005 to schedule replacement parts for rear lights as part of the recall. I was told that they could not do it without the recall notice number that was sent to me. Called back a day later and gave the dealer the number from the recall notice. He told me that the parts would need to be ordered and they would call me. I received a third recall notice from Chevrolet on 2/26/05 and called the dealer on 3/2/05 and spoke with a man in service. He told me that the parts were not ordered and that I would need to bring the car in for them to order the parts and then again when the parts come in. I have explained to him that I have replaced 6 taillight and brake lights within the last 6 months and why wasn't I informed of this when I called before. Apparently they do not have a call back procedure for when they screw up.
While driving down highway started to hear a banging noise turns out it was my plastic that's above my hatch where my 3 red brake light is it hasn't fallen off yet just loose and flopping around I have read this happens to a lot of Trailblazer this should be a safety recall on this and even you guys are aware of the problem the molding which is double sided tape is not a proper use for this the company should have to fix it is it gonna take one flying off and causing a death and major accident before anyone does something?
Dt: the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet trail blazer. Safety defect in turn signals. Received a letter from general motors, then contact received a letter from the dealer. The contact stated that she made call after call to her local dealer, and they have not called her back .incident date was June or July 2004. While driving on highway and going on a trip the contact noticed blinkers coming on and would not go off. No crash . No police report taken. No injury reported.
Took Trailblazer into champion Chevrolet and they replaced turn signal module due to short circuit . Hazard flashers come on when driver moves turn signal lever up or down. Spoke to Chevrolet regarding possible recall and was told my vehicle was not part of the recall because the recall involves VIN#'s with the last four digits ending in 362 and mine ends in 361. I believe there May be other customers with this same issue and this causes a safety problem.
Continuing failure of rear lighting (back-up, brake, driving, and turn). Typically, I have to replace a bulb about every 6 weeks, and the entire left assembly has been replaced twice since the car was new. Bulbs and sockets melt until they are inoperable. Similar issue with front headlights, although only about once a year. Old bulbs and assembly disposed of, but I'm sure more melted ones will be available soon.
My right front headlight was burned out, and upon investigation, I discovered that the plug and bulb socket had melted along with several inches of wire. It was repaired after some back and forth discussion with the Chevrolet dealer. I thought this incident was strange, but thought it was a random incident until I read on a web forum that this appears to be a common occurrence.
Headlamps keep going out and the connectors keep melting and burning the rear radio speakers go out the rear heat/air goes out the level 5 setting on the fan does not work these are not unusual complaints for this vehicle, there seems to be a standard being set with these issues.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on November 22, 2004.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV.
Brake lamp failure
GM states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets.on March 2, 2004, GM initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile special policy for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies.on April 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer…
Headlight complaints in other Trailblazer EXT years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, 7% of the model year's 313 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-527 (brake lights, Nov 1, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 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.