2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT body problems

Filed Jan 3, 2014 · Body, Lights · 156,000 miles · IL

While driving down highway started to hear a banging noise turns out it was my plastic that's above my hatch where my 3 red brake light is it hasn't fallen off yet just loose and flopping around I have read this happens to a lot of trailblazer this should be a safety recall on this and even you guys are aware of the problem the molding which is double sided tape is not a proper use for this the company should have to fix it is it gonna take one flying off and causing a death and major accident before anyone does something?

Filed Jun 24, 2013 · Body · PA

Back passenger door latch is broken..

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Body · 140,000 miles · NJ

Chevrolet trailblazer ext was towed from highway due to a ruptured transmission line. Tow truck driver towed vehicle from the rear wheels. Upon delivering vehicle to repair shop, the entire upper hatch trim molding (high mount brake light cover) piece and the high mount brake light assembly was missing with only the two wires dangling. Upon inspection, the piece is only held on the vehicle by 2 bolts and double sided tape. The double sided tape on the rear glass was dry and crumbling (completely ineffective). Since the vehicle was traveling backwards behind the tow truck, the piece was not able to withstand the force of wind which pushed the piece upward until it ultimately cracked and broke off the vehicle. There have been many reports of this piece falling off from trailblazer models going forward and gm has done nothing to redesign or fix the problem. A large plastic piece such as that should not use 2 bolts and double sided tape as a primary means of attachment. At a minimum, a safety notice should be sent that towing a trailblazer from the rear at high speeds may result in this piece breaking off, posing a real safety concern (flying highway debris) to the following vehicle(s). Parts are falling off vehicles and no one but the disgruntled owners seem to care.

Filed Sep 17, 2012 · Body, Brakes · 139,000 miles · PA

Driving approx 70mph on the highway, suddenly heard a "whap whap whap" noise coming from the back of the vehicle. I slowed down, and the sound diminished. Arriving home, I found that the center brake light assembly had come loose at both ends. The two center connections luckily held, or else the piece would have come off the car and possibly caused an accident. I have read that other trailblazers have had the same issue.

Filed Sep 8, 2009 · Body, Visibility · MA

The rear windshield came unhinged from the rear door.

Filed Aug 3, 2009 · Body · IN

Design flaw of the center high mounted stop lamp applique (aka - rear upper liftgate molding) during the winter months, ice and snow builds up behind the molding, and when the user attempts to open the liftgate, the molding is separated from the vehicle, sometimes results in permanent breakage of the molding, or even shattering of the rear window. This is a problem that the company is already aware of, as evidenced by a released tsb. As evidenced by numerous reports on "trailvoy.com", many group members have reported having this exact problem. I have read reports of this piece mysteriously coming off, to the surprise of the driver, while driving on the road. It seems that when this vehicle was designed, too much of the liftgate's structure was left to rely on the stability of plastic and glass. For instance, on my vehicle, after breakage of the molding, the force exerted by the glass lift arms caused the adhesive to separate from the windows hinge, leaving it "dangling by a thread". I feel that this a problem that has occurred in too many cases; a problem that could potentially cause safety issues while driving on the road. It is an expensive part to replace ($700-$1000, with labor). Chevrolet has since redesigned the trailblazer vehicles to take care of this problem. I feel that chevrolet should be held responsible to correct their design error on the older vehicles, instead of leaving it up to the consumer to pay for it out of their own pocket.

Filed May 17, 2009 · Body · 52,000 miles · VA

High mount rear stop tail lamp assembly is loose. Opened the tailgate on 5/11/09 heard metal crunching. Ever since my back glass vibrates violently when going down the highway, increasing the possibility of it blowing out. On 5/17/09 after further investigation noticed that the top assembly has broken away from the truck on both sides (still being held on by the center) should this come off it puts me and drivers behind me at risk of an accident. This problem puts my children at risk of glass shattering on them or being involved in an accident. This is my only vehicle and I have no choice but to drive it until it goes to the shop this week. I have read several complaints about this online.

Filed May 11, 2009 · Body · 27,000 miles · PA

I was going out to my SUV which is a 2003 chevy trailblazer ext to open the back it was cold outside but no ice was visible on my truck or anything I heard a crack I though it was ice even though I didn't see anything but noticed my tail light cover on top looked broke so took it to local chevrolet dealership to get checked they said yes it is cracked it will cost you 1800 dollars to fix I did not have that kind of money for a little piece but guy said you will be fine as long as the liftgate lifts which it did it seemed fine then on the way to our destination one day on a major highway the piece flew half way off flapping behind us freaking out we pulled over to the side we had to rip it off no choice or we were stuck their and the piece would of flew off and caused a major accident. Well it is still off until it gets repaired but this just in the last week I seen 2 more trailblazer ext with the same piece missing just in my small town of pottsville which had me thinking there is something wrong. But what concerned me the most was the third trailblazer ext in a wal-mart parking lot with the piece broke but still attached.that person probably has no idea that the piece will probably fall off will on the highway which could cause a major accident. I did talk to the lady down the street from me which was one of the trailblazers I seen and ask she said the same thing that it cracked when opening then took it to shop they said your lucky this piece could have flew off while driving. So please investigate the 2003-2006 chevrolet trailblazer ext.

Filed May 31, 2008 · Body · 112,000 miles · MI

The rear window in the gate on my 2003 trailblazer has become disconnected on one side at the hinge. It appears to be a defect with the way it is adhered (via some sort of glue) as there is no damage to the area itself. As my vehicle is an ext model, it has a section across the very top that is also simply glued to the body which holds the centrally mounted brake light. I've noticed since purchasing the vehicle last year that this section with the brake light comes in contact with the roof when you open the main gate & seems really loose hot weather. Today, when I opened the rear latch/gate I heard an unusual sound and when I closed the gate & inspected it I noted that the window portion appeared skewed. Upon further examination of the window area I discovered that the passenger-side window hinge had separated from the gate & was no longer forming a seal. As there was no physical damage to the area (the hinge simply lifted right away from the area it was glued to), one would assume that this must a defect in assembly & may affect similar vehicles. If the other hinge were to also separate the entire glass assembly would no longer be attached to the vehicle which could result in causing a collision or other incident to vehicles following the affected vehicle. Obviously, other damage caused by rain/elements would also be a concern with the lack of proper seal between the window & the rear gate.

Filed Sep 13, 2007 · Body, Brakes · 71,700 miles · NY

My 2003 chevy trailblazer has a third brake light across the top hatch .while driving down a busy highway it was flying like a wing on the back of my vehicle luckily dot falling completely off but when I stopped it came crashing down onto my window of hatch luckily not breaking all I could do is break it completely off so it would not fly into someone's windshield behind me I work with a lady with the same make and model and hers flew right off her latch causing it to smash luckily no one was behind her. I also have it in the shop due to rusty corroded hoses that went to transmission causing all fluid to drain almost burning up my transmission no indication lights ever came on other than it skipping a little luckily a service engine light came on a week later I took it to garage and just in time. Unfortunately even with power train warranty this problem is costing me 500.00 out of my pocket no fault of mine wheel wells and brake drums have been beaten due to lots of rust build up and doors that were recalled and fixed three times still not working right also front headlight replaced twice in two years causing me to be pulled over twice as I did not realize the problem of my lights going out frequently.