Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Multiple gauges on the instrument panel are malfunctioning. The tachometer is reading 5,000 RPM when the vehicle was in park, and 7,000 RPM when going 15 MPH. When I turn the car off the gauge sits at 2,000. The speedometer is clicking up (not a smooth transition to the correct speed). And it showing a lesser speed then I am going. When I turn the car off the speedometer shows it is going 10 miles per hour but will slowly drop down to zero. Both of these malfunctions could are a huge safety concern. I had to pull over on the highway while the instrument panel was showing 7,000 RPM, afraid I was going to break down and ruin my car.
The problem happens when coming to a stop the engine will surge or jump as much as 2000 RPM's and you really have to be on the brake to hold it. Go to neutral let it rev then it will come back to normal. The last time was on a snow packed intersection with two other vehicles in opposite directions. The bad thing is you don't know when it's going to do it. Had it to several garages and nobody can duplicate it and it shows no codes.
I am filing a complaint .and will continue to file complaints until all of the consumers issues have been addressed. I understand that GM is not willing to hold theirselfs liable for these issues ,but people spend pretty pennies out of pocket to purchase vehicles from these manufacturers to spend more money to pay for repairs after just a short while of owning these . I have researched issues I am having with my vehicle , and I am having all the above listed issues , and do not wish to spend large amounts of money to pay for these cost considering I am still paying for this vehicle . I just spoke with a representive about these complaints ,and have set up an appoinment to pay a dealership for diagnostics , but am hoping that I can get closure on these issues without paying big expenses. I hope everyone else will follow suit and keep inputting your complaints until they are resolved. …
2003, Chevrolet Trailblazer. 4 speed automatic trans. 4 wheel drive. Standard length chasis. 6 cylinder engine. Problem experienced; upon acceleration onto the interstate highway, the engine lost power for appx. 5 seconds. The accelerator pedal remained depressed, the engine resumed acceleration after the time specified. Created much fear, since interstate traffic speed limit is 70 MPH, and cars on the intersate came up onto the bumper very quickly. This is the only occurence to date. Also, gasoline filler neck too narrow, or vent hose constricted? Frequent reflux of gasoline during the process of filling. Takes a considerable amount of time to "top the tank". So much time that, I have yet to been able to "top" the tank. Problem occurs at every pump, not indigenous to the gas pump, appears inherent to the vehicle.
Automatic drive shift linkage disconnected due to failure of what appears to be a small plastic rivet that held the linkage components together. Transmission could not be shifted out of drive, not even to neutral. Could only stop car by coming to a complete stop with the brakes, turning off the ignition key, and then applying the emergency brake. Called dealer and then tow truck. When the tower arrived, he looked at the make/model of the vehicle and as I described what had happened he said he knew what the problem was because he had picked up 6 of the same vehicle in the last 2-3 months for the same problem. When he checked, he was correct, the linkage had become disconnected due to a broken plastic rivet.
I own a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. It has just over 60,000 miles. The speedometer stopped working correctly a few days ago. The speedometer reads between 85-120 MPH no matter how fast I am driving. I have been told by my local Chevy dealer that it will cost around $400.00 to have the speedometer repaired. I believe Chevrolet should be responsible for the replacement/repair costs since this is a safety issue that numerous other Chevy truck/SUV owners have also experienced. They should have recalled the speedometers on their suvs/trucks a long time ago.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet trail blazer. The contact was driving 45 MPH when he noticed that the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis who stated that they needed to replace the fan clutch. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure and the current mileage was 84,000. Updated 9/25/12
The vehicle shuts down while the vehicle is being driven. Vehicle has been serviced and duplicated twice. Computer chip was replaced twice, the harness replaced twice, and throttle body was replaced twice. Currently, vehicle is at the dealer...
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer lt (mileage: 52,200)- speedometer failure vehicle taken to dealer. Told by dealer this is common failure. My vehicle is out of warranty (3yr/36,000 miles) [subsequent years warranties: 5yr/100,000 mile] cost to repair $560.
1-15-11 my 2003 Trailblazer speedometer stuck on 20mph. After a short drive, shut the car off, once started it was stuck just below 10 MPH. The temperature outside today is 30 degrees. I am the original owner. I am the original owner.
Acceleration complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 3% of the model year's 901 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.