Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Transmission doesn't have 3rd or 4th gear. Vehicle was smoking under hood. Found out after buying it it has flood damage. Mechanic said there was water in the transmission when inspected. Vehicle needs catylic converter sensor and vehicle has bad ground wire. Seller didn't inform me of any of these issues and he said it was in good shape and very reliable.
My daughter was driving locally yesterday 7/1/18 and making a right hand turn at a slow speed. She lost control and collided with another vehicle in oncoming traffic. She was injured. The cars brake lights had just gone out and the blower is going on and off. I assume this is an electrical problem for which my VIN is not displaying a recall. There is now damage to the wheel and rear drivers side fender, clearly displaying that the vehicle spun out of control, based on the 2 vehicle impact points.
When depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond to pedal application until almost touching the floorboard. Vehicle was traveling 55-60 MPH when it was involved in a crash. There was a loud noise which was related to the brake dragging in the rear into the retaining wall, then to the left retaining wall of the right rear wheel and the tire suspension axle housing broke. The disk and rotor needed to be replaced, the left tire went flat. After repair the consumer heard a dragging sound and the vehicle had come to a stop. The consumer viewed a blue colored smoke along with a smell coming from the brakes. Currently when turning left or right the dragging sound is heard on the right side.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving 29 MPH on an icy road and attempted to apply the brakes. There was no traction and the vehicle slid into traffic, crashing into another vehicle. The contact was not injured. The driver of the second vehicle sustained unknown injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the front passenger's side wheel hub and sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 73,000 and the current mileage was 73,400.
While coming to the end of an on-ramp to 295 w, the vehicle suddenly began steering from left to right; I had absolutely no control; the brakes didn't appear to be helping at all, and I was only driving at a speed of aprox. 30 MPH as always when I drive this on-ramp. I've "never ever" had a problem as this occur with any vehicle I've driven on this or other on/off-ramps. It was scary. Luckily I did not hit on-coming traffic but did, however, hit a guardrail. My 8 yr. Old was also terrified, but luckily we did not sustain injury.
The cars computer code on dash read out that service brakes was required with a ringing tone. The ABS light and the brake light were also on. This LED one to believe that the vehicle could be an issue with safety. We drove straight to the garage. A code c0265 was found on the computer by the technician. $91.00 was charged for a poor ground being redone on the ebcm. NHTSA item number 10022470 is applicable. We were lucky to be within a block of a dealer. This is a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, with only 37616 miles. From February 2003 until November 2006 the car was garaged in montana. November 2006 till present the car is garaged in wi. Why should the owner have to pay for an apparent ground issue defect problem? This is definitely a safety issue because the ABS system is disabled on the car.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was receiving a regular maintenance inspection at an independent repair shop, the mechanic determined the right front outer tie rod assembly needed to be replaced. After the replacement, there was a rattling noise in the front suspension, but the vehicle was not seen for further inspection. In addition, NHTSA recall, #04V527000 repair was performed on the exterior lighting however, the recall repair did not remedy the problem. The contact replaced the bulbs in the exterior brake lights, but the dealership was not contacted. In addition, resurfaced rear rotors and replaced pads. Also, replaced rear windshield wiper arm. The door locsk were inoperative. The rear brake lights were inoperative. Updated 05/30/06.
For approx. 4 months I would go to get into my Trailblazer and the vehicle would be dead. Would not start unless I had it jumped. It would go 2 weeks with no problem then out of the blue, not work. I had the battery changed 2 times, alternator, starter checked with no problem. Finally after the last time, I had the alternator people come and get it and they checked it out for 2 days. The ABS system is what came up. I had to have it taken to the dealer that I purchased it from (I have only had this vehicle purchased used for a year and couple of months-vehicle is only 4 years old now) and it is the ABS module costing me $1150.00 to be fixed. Dealer states that it stays on after vehicle is turned off and running my battery.
Problems with 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer resulting in an accident. When the consumer attempted to apply the brakes, the vehicle started to skid. The consumer tried to turn the wheel to straighten out the vehicle, but the brakes locked and the steering wheel continued to go toward the left. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and subsequently collided with a semi tractor trailer. After the impact, the consumers vehicle continued going left toward oncoming traffic and eventually went left into a ravine/ditch. Throughout the entire incident, the consumer had her foot on the brake and the vehicle would not stop or slow down. The consumer also stated the air bags never deployed.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact complained about a speedometer failure. While idling the speedometer read 90 MPH. The dealer stated that the instrument cluster was damaged. When the temperature was below 30 degrees the steering column froze and activated the horn. The horn will not deactivate unless the fuse wasremoved. Additionally, when applying the brake pedal the vehicle began to decelerate, but the pedal dropped all the way down to the floor. The contact must release and depress the brake pedal again in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. The current mileage is 75,000, and failure mileage was 70,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. Owner notification began on May 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Brake complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 4% of the model year's 901 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-151 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Apr 23, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to brakes 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.