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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The lights melt the harnesses in the front lights frequently. More than 2 times a year the tail light neef constant replacement from faulty wiring. The wires are not big enougb to handle the load. It happens at any time it wants doesnt matter if its sitting in park or driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While the contact was driving at dusk, the headlights went out without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact called sons Chevrolet (3615 manchester expy, columbus, ga 31909, [phone]), but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 177,000. The VIN was invalid.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the air conditioner light, rear brake light, and rear driver side tail light malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the technician diagnosed that the lights malfunctioned due to electrical issues with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
"Takata recall" was driving down the highway doing bout 70mph and I hear a nosie on the roof and then I saw my whole 3rd break light asmbley break off and fly into the air and almost hit the car in back of me this can cause a major accident if it fly's off and hit a car in back of you and I was doing research online and saw its a common problem with these SUV its a poor design and needs to be recalled before somebody dies.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving various speeds, the headlights suddenly shut off and later turned back on. The headlights on/off switch was replaced, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The 3rd brake light housing over the rear hatch totally broke off which I have noticed on numerous similar vehicles. Now Chevrolet is charging almost $300.00 for a replacement . Ive noticed too many vehicles of the same model with either completely missing third brake light houseings or a taped up repair.
Headlight plug melted and burned. Passenger side headlight goes out repeatedly prior to noticing burn damage. Three bulbs replaced since August 2005 prior to burn damage noted. There are several complaints of this that I can gather from a web forum that I visit concerning the Trailblazer.
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. …
"Takata recall" we just purchased this car from my husband's deceased mother's estate and it had a recall on the lighting inside and outside tail lights. The vehicle has 83 thousand miles on it and the vehicle rear lights are not working when I brake only one that is the third light on top of car. GM (Chevrolet) I live on a very limited income and due to disability as well. My income is 1330 a month. How can I get this fixed? They want to charge me for diagnostics, as I stated we fixed it once it seems to be that it May get hot and blows fuses and then I have no idea I have no tail lights this is very dangerous and someone could rear end me and kill themselves and or myself. Please help me in understanding are they responsible to fix their defects as they did it once when it was recalled and we also just bought this car. Paid about 5 thousand for it. Excellent condition. …
I have had to have my entire valve body replaced, of course after having to fight tooth and nail to have the relaiable big lot dealership fix this Trailblazer. Everytime it has a problem, they do all but call me stupid, and send me away, or say that when they drive it, it doesn't fail on anything.it must be my imagination. Whatever. Now my brake lights fail completely, and they've never heard of such. Lol, that's funny because we almost rearended another Trailblazer with no brake lights. No wonder that semi truck almost killed us. Anyone ever drive in st. Louis rush hour traffic, almost get killed, and then discover that you have no brake lights?gee, vehicles have brake lights for a reason, who knew? Now the waranty is up by 3000 mi and I'm stuck with the bill. That's funny huh? Anyone organizing a law suit? Count me in.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) May cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than flashing on the desired side only.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suspect flasher modules with a new flasher module designed with sealed relays and more durable contact material inside of the relays free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2005.
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
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation on model year (my) 2002-04 Chevrolet trailblazer vehicles.GM reports that other vehicles sharing this platform and brake lamp design are the my 2002-2004 Chevrolet trailblazer ext; GMC envoy, xl, xuv; Oldsmobile bravada and 2004 Buick rainier.complaints allege that the rear brake lamp does not operate when the brake pedal is depressed.there is no…
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 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 9% of the model year's 901 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-198 (turn signal, May 5, 2005); NHTSA recall 04V-527 (brake lights, Nov 1, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.