Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer equipped with bf goodrich rugged trail t/a tires, size: p245/65ri7. While driving at 65 MPH, the contact heard a vibration coming from the tires. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. The vehicle rolled over multiple times and the air bags failed to deploy. In addition, the contact noticed that the threads from the rear driver side tire had separated. The contact sustained head, shoulder, elbow, and hip injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle and tire manufacturers were not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 116,000 and the tire failure mileage was 40,000. The dot number was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that another driver in front of her slammed on the brake pedal, which caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle experienced a rollover. None of the air bags deployed. The contact sustained a deep laceration to the knee and a torn ligament that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 20 MPH uphill, a vehicle traveling downhill crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The passenger sustained whiplash and bruises to the elbow, chest, and stomach that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The passenger was also injured and taken to the hospital, but was released the same day. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle slid on ice and crashed into a cement wall. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not restrain the contact. The contact sustained chest, neck, and knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a head on collision. The contact's vehicle was struck from the front end by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left leg and left arm, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed. It was not determined whether or not the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned and lost control causing the contact to crash into an embankment. The vehicle flipped over several times and landed on its side. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 5/11/2015
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH during inclement weather conditions, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained spine injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 5/11/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 25 to 35 MPH, an animal appeared in the road. The contact swerved and crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained head, neck, and chest injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was 135,000.....updated 06/15/16
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 78 MPH, a tire blew out. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained an injured left shoulder and neck, and a head abrasion, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 40 MPH in wet weather, the vehicle hydroplaned, drove off a cliff, and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest, knee and arm injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing agency where it was deemed destroyed. The failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 03/01/17
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain Mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that May not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Airbag complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 6% of the model year's 901 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-051 (inflator module, Feb 14, 2003); NHTSA recall 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 45 crashes, 0 fires and 47 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.