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2003 Chevrolet Blazer Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer, most often about the air bags (18% of complaints, typically around 111,500 miles). It is 7th of 17 Blazer model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.

Complaints77
Recalls1
Crashes reported14
Fires reported0
Injuries reported2

Most common 2003 Chevrolet Blazer problems

  1. Air bags

    14 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 111,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    My 03 Blazer has had its airbag lights on for some time now and I'm worried that if I get into a crash my airbags wont deploy, I'm scared also to see so many complaints along the same lines as mine. This problem needs to be addressed by the NHTSA or by gm before someone is killed or injured badly. A recall is needed!
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 138,300 miles
    Was hit by right side impact by a truck without brakes at a stop light. It was going 40 MPH. Coming down hill as I took off at stop light . Pushed across 3 lanes of traffic. Air bags did not deploy ! Also I was hit on front right side panel . It later caused my instrument panel to not display the lights on warnings .…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 78,000 miles
  2. Transmission

    12 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), manual transmission, driveline.

    Consumer had experienced loud thumping from the engine compartment. There were times when transmission got stuck in one gear for an extended amount of time. Vehicle was taken to the dealer four times for transmission problems. Also, fuel gauge was not functioning properly. When gas was in the tank it could register…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 16,547 miles
    While driving at 55 MPH , vehicle would not accelerate and it felt like it was in neutral gear. Vehicle almost got hit by oncoming traffic. A sensor in engine caused transmission to go out of drive gear.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 2,500 miles
  3. Body and structure

    12 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    Body seams leaks water to the inside of my car. It was thought to be my sunroof, which dealer repaired and then replaced. The water caused all inside lights to short out (third repair). It was on the the fourth time to the service that it was found the actual body seams were leaking.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 15,000 miles
    I have a 02 Blazer and I believe the fuel gauge is not working properly. After I have gone only about 40 miles on a full tank of gas the gauge shows ? Full. Can that be correct? In the owner?s manual it states that I am to have an 18-gallon fuel tank. With an average of 20 mpg on the highway it should go to ? Tank at…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 30,037 miles
  4. Fuel system

    10 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.

    I have a 02 Blazer and I believe the fuel gauge is not working properly. After I have gone only about 40 miles on a full tank of gas the gauge shows ? Full. Can that be correct? In the owner?s manual it states that I am to have an 18-gallon fuel tank. With an average of 20 mpg on the highway it should go to ? Tank at…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 30,037 miles
    Consumer had experienced loud thumping from the engine compartment. There were times when transmission got stuck in one gear for an extended amount of time. Vehicle was taken to the dealer four times for transmission problems. Also, fuel gauge was not functioning properly. When gas was in the tank it could register…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 16,547 miles
  5. Electrical

    9 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.

    1. Speedometer acting erratically. 2. Dealer wanted to charge $450 dollars to change speed sensor. I told him he was crazy. They reconnected. Speedometer stared working again. 3. 7 months later speedometer starts acting erratically. I search websites and find that many other owners of 2003 tahoes experience the same…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 37,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. While driving approximately 45 MPH, all of the instrument panel lights illuminated. Also, the radio and fuel gauge failed to operate normally. The speedometer displayed inaccurate readings. The instrument panel lights remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 60,548 miles
  6. Brakes

    8 complaints · 10%

    Parts named most often: fluid, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, conventional.

    Emergency brake failed to release causing severe damage to brake pads and rotors. No fault found on my part, yet costing me over 500.00 in repair charges.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 55,000 miles
    When braking any speed, the brake pedal would go to the floor. This would cause extended stopping distance. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 30,000 miles
  7. Lights

    6 complaints · 8%

    Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signal.

    The power door locks and the interior courtesy lights failed to work intermittently. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 52,000 miles
    : the contact stated while driving 20 MPH on normal road conditions, the rear brake taillights failed to illuminate. Also, the turn signal lights and the reverse side lights sometimes did not work properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, who determined the taillights needed to be replaced. The taillights…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 43,800 miles
  8. Engine

    6 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.

    Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. Everytime the contact opens the door of the vehicle, the interior lights consistently flicker on and off, especially in cold weather. As a consequence, the battery and alternator continue to fail and need replacing. The dealer stated that the failures were a normal…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 36,000 miles
    I was out late in a desolate area-no houses-no stores. I smelled burning rubber so bad I thought the car was on fire. I had no alternative but to continue driving. I was terrified, I am a senior citizen-female alone. I refused to drive it anywhere once it was parked. My mechanic was kind enough to pick it up. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 44,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2003 Chevrolet Blazer recalls

  1. Equipment: labels

    NHTSA 04V132000 · March 18, 2004 · 183,922 vehicles

    Risk: Some of these vehicles include incorrect statements on one of the air bag warning labels.

    Fix: Owners will be provided with correct labels and installation instructions. Owner notification began on june 4, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

    Full defect summary

    Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (14 complaints, typically around 111,500 miles); transmission (12 complaints, typically around 21,000 miles); body and structure (12 complaints, typically around 22,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer have?
1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 18, 2004 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet Blazer?
It is 7th of 17 Blazer model years by number of complaints, with 77 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Chevrolet Blazer years

Chevrolet Blazer problems by year