2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Lights, Locks · 89,500 miles · CA

Purchased a 2003 chevy trailblazer-ext lt in dec 2002 from the dealer, team chevrolet in pasadena. Since purchasing the vehicle, there's been several recalls, one in particular that keeps recurring are the brake lights keep burning, the dealer changed both units but it keeps burning out. I got tired of taking it to the dealer, so I purchased new bulbs and looked into replacing them myself. However when I unscrewed the bulb, I noticed the bulb just didn't burn normally (like a home lamp) it looked more of an electrical issue, the lining of where the bulb is screwed in looked like it had white residue and it smelled smoky. Also, don't know if its the shocks or suspension,makes odd noises. Dealer said its fine, but the noise is still there.shorly after my engine light turned on...the dealer could not figure what was wrong after a 2 to 3 week and costly expense and time...they switched out the gas tank...come to find out, that wasn't the problem, the engine light turned on again, they said one of the pistons needed replacing...$$$ that was a big expense and time consuming... Everytime I took it to them it, something was fixed, they charge, I pay, and the engine light would turn on, it got frustrating. Till, they finally got it right. Now my car sounds horrible (shocks/suspension noise got worse) when I go over city bumps or driving even small like hills, and mind you,which is driven by myself (female 124lbs) it shouldn't squeak or make noises, the brakes pedal makes a noise when I place my foot on it....yes it has 90k miles and it's an 8 year old car, but I kept up with the maintenances, I've taken it to the same dealer since it was purchased, only drive it to and from work....the car is in good condition, no hit/scratches/no tears.... I can't explain why.... Are there any other recalls, the dealer isn't aware of??? For instance they were not aware of the gas tank recall..which they were charging me over $1200 to repair, how can I trust they are doing their job?

Filed Sep 11, 2007 · Suspension · 43,000 miles · ID

Front end noises. Squeaks and pops from suspension.

Filed Feb 11, 2007 · Visibility · 88,000 miles · VA

The rear left passenger window began to grind when letting it up and down then it quit working. The right front passenger began to do the same thing soon after. The windows currently have a suction cup holding them up.

Filed Aug 26, 2006 · Brakes, Transmission · 400,050 miles · NY

Multiple problems with this vehicle with only 40,000 miles on it! Power window assembly broke and repaired twice on the same door, inoperable climate control unit, front dashboard gets extremely hot at all times, brakes squeal all the time (dealer could not figure it out and was remedied with ceramic brake pads after multiple attempts), transmission has poor shifting pattern (bulletin provided a new shift program for the transmission and the dealer installed but is right back to it's original problem after 3 months).

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Brakes · 33,000 miles · CT

Dt: the consumer owned 2003 chevy trailblazer and was having rotor problems. The vehicle has 33,000 miles on it. The rotors were pitted and warped on the inside . The total cost was $838.00 to replace themt. Brake pads were replaced along with the rotors. The brakes were squeaking and vibrating when to trying to come to a stop. Talso, he brakes squeaked in reverse. T owner took the vehicle to an independent repair shop. The vehicle has now been repaired by the mechanic.the owner ha not called the dealership, but the owner knew that the warranty expired.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 17,327 miles · GA

Dt: left driver's side outside mirror is not holding the correct settings, and clicks constantly. The mirror is hitting against something, and turns completely to the ground. When using keyless entry the mirrors also turn to the ground. The mirror is changing by itself, and it is not going back to the correct setting. The mirror is always making a clicking noise and it is facing downward. There is no problem with the right side. The dealer replaced the right side mirror, and from then on the left side has not worked. Consumer has taken vehicle to dealership 4 or 5 times to be checked. Dealership insists the mirror is working fine. But as soon as the consumer leaves the dealership the mirror will work for a couple of hours and then stop working properly. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership and the mechanic didn't write down the problem with the mirror in his paperwork, and this happened more than once. *ak when shifting from park to reverse the vehicle jerked at times. The engine control module was reprogrammed. The consumer believes that the reprogramming resulted in poor fuel economy. The cd player made a hissing noise. When the brakes were applied they would grind. The 4-wheel drive switch shorted. Windshield wiper motor failed. Right side tag light bulb blew.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Brakes · 29,000 miles · NY

Without any squealing in the days and weeks before the brake failure, as I would expect from deteriorating brakes, the brakes on my 2003 trailblazer ext failed. Fortunately, the metal to metal sound heard on feb. 4, 2005, alerted my wife to call our local chevy service center. At the time of the failure, this car had 29,000 miles on it. Not only did the dealer find the left front brake digging into the rotor surface, but they found the rear brakes worn low and the emergency brake portion of the rotor rotted. At 29,000 miles, total brake overhaul should not occur. Why had the emrgency brake portion of the rotor rotted? When my wife called the 800 number to report this to chevrolet, lisa koine, chevy's representative, called the dealer to find out what the problem was. After speaking with the service people at brady-stannard in brewsete, ny, she returned our call and told us the brake failure was due to normal wear and tear. Give me a break.since when do consumers have to pay #1276.79 for a complete brake overhaul at 29,000 miles? Several weeks later, I noticed the left side rotors had rusted. I called the dealer and took the car in for inspection. The dealer stated that this is normal. I question this. I owned an isuzu trooper prior to this car, and the brakes were not replaced until 92,000 miles. What kind of inferior parts is chevrolet using?

Filed Mar 12, 2004 · Body, Brakes · 21,000 miles · AK

2003 chevrolet trailblazer - purchased in may of 2003 off of the sales floor - around 5 miles on it - truck began squeaking - took it in, they said bad break pads, changed them out and gave it back (2 days without truck) - squeaking still there - took it back in - service tech said the front spindle was bent - told me I couldn't drive it it was unsafe (5 more days without truck) - at the same time they take truck to body shop because rear hatch won't shut it too is bent - same with the hood (hmmmmmmmm!!!!) - rear wiper motor then busts (now I'm erked) - driving down the highway at 55 and truck shuts off - no power steering almost wreck it seems the gas gauge is not accurate!!!!!!! - then blower motor won't shut off without taking fuse out ... No heat in rear heaters, climate control doesn't work (yet a few more days without truck)- the last straw - my 9 month old truck has a broken transfer case and the 4-wheel drive went out - of course the 4-wheel drive went out on a steep hill in the middle of winter - not acceptable in alaska not acceptable in a new truck!!!!!! - had to get out of a defective truck so now we are stuck with a brand new tahoe that is $10,000+ upside down! You decide who is wrong in this case!

Filed Mar 4, 2004 · Steering · 22,229 miles · MI

This vehicle had about 21,000 miles on it when the power steering pump started squealing when warm and turning. The dealer I had it replaced at told me that normally they get these vehicles in to replace the pump when it totally breaks and strands someone on the road without the ability to steer their vehicle. At 28,000 miles, the new pump is making the exact same noise and I am taking it in again to have it replaced. My concern is, what will happen to my vehicle's steering if it breaks and I ( or my wife ) am driving the vehicle. I am afraid that I will not be able to contol the vehicle. Obviously there is a mechanical problem with vehicle ( a 2003 chevy trailblazer ext ) as car and driver magazine had published a long term review of this vehicle in their december 2003 issue with their test vehicle requiring 3 new power steering pumps in 40,000 miles. So far there appears to be no real ling term fix to this problem, and I am afraid that I may lose control of my vehicle if this component fails.