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2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT electrical complaints

Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 77, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Electrical, Seats · 83,000 miles · WI · fire

The drivers seat heater got very hot and then stopped working shortly after. I did an internet search and found that this is very common. I found that one of the wires had overheated and actually burned the foam and covering. There are many complaints and pictures on the internet. I removed my seat and found the exact same problem. I am astounded that nothing is being done to stop the use of these defective heaters. This is most certainly a very serious fire and burn hazard.

Filed Jul 28, 2014 · Electrical · 131,000 miles · PA

My vehicle started randomly shutting off while driving. Loss of power to everything but the brakes. Luckily I was only going 10-15mph each time this happened. With the recent recall in gm vehicles regarding the ignition switch I thought it would be a good idea to switch this part out first. Fixed the problem immediately. I would like to be reimbursed my cost for part and labor. I can't believe as many known problems the trailblazer has with this that it has yet to be added to the recall list.

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Electrical · 127,000 miles · NY · fire

When I pulled into driveway, I put the vehicle in park, and turned the key off, and actually pulled the key out of the ignition switch, with the vehicle still running. I backed the car up, without the key in the ignition, where I started smelling wires burning. I called fire department, and they put fire out on the fuse box, with everything melted around it. I have had minor problems with the car, I.e. Wheel bearing and brakes, but, nothing like this. While my 14 year old daughter and I were in the car at the time, we did get out, and no one was hurt.

Filed Dec 26, 2013 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NJ

My instrument cluster panel started to malfunction but then reset itself. Now, none of the instrument panel works.

Filed Jun 18, 2013 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · KS

Like many other, my problem is with the instrument panel/cluster. My fuel gauge doesn't work and my speedometer is all over the place...sometimes it seems to work fine, other times not at all, and sometimes it works but isn't accurate.

Filed Jun 16, 2012 · Electrical · VA

After driving the vehicle like normal, stopped at a gas station and when it was restarted, the fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, battery gauge, tachometer, pretty much the entire instrument panel stopped working then came back on. Also, instead of reading driver like it normally does, the panel was reading unknown driver. Then as we were driving down the interstate home, the speedometer went to 0 and would not come back up. After we got home, the next day the panel worked fine. This has occurred numerous time since the first incident in 2011. I have read multiple forums and posts online from others stating it is the instrument panel cluster that may be the problem and there was a recall on other chevy makes but not the trailblazer. This is a very scary problem and should be covered by chevy due to the numerous other trailblazer owners with the same issue.

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Electrical · 141,000 miles · AL

I started my vehicle and the instrument cluster did not work. No precheck lights except check engine light came on and none of the instruments on the panel would work. Tried shutting down the engine and restarting but to no avail.

Filed Mar 5, 2012 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · VA

Started the car and pulled out of my driveway was going 0-5 MPH and the speedometer shot up to 40. Started driving down the road and it stayed stuck at 40, but I was doing 30mph. Pulled into the store 2 blocks up, shut the car off. When I turned it back on the car was registering 13 MPH at a dead stop. Went back home, car sat overnight. Started it for work in the morning on sunday and it was idling at 8 MPH. Started driving to work and the speedometer was registering 60 MPH, yet I was going with the flow of traffic on a city street that's speed limit was 45mph. Seems I need to keep turning off the car and turning it back on again in order for the speedometer to reset to a lower number (I.e. 3 or 8 MPH at a dead stop, vs. 13 to 18 MPH at a dead stop). Revved the engine to see what the response would be, tachometer registered increase, but the speedometer did not budge at all! I worry the day it will say I am doing 40 but I am actually doing 55 around a curve. The car is absolutely off limits to my 17 year old now. Funny thing is I preferred her driving the trailblazer for safety vs. Her little vw convertible. Not any more!! I do not see how chevy claims this is not a safety issue!

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · NY · fire

Driving at 40mph and the truck went up in flames truck showed no warning even drove it app. 300yards to pull over still ran with flames as high as 6 ft no dummy lights came fire was under the truck while driving was warned by another driving heading towards me truck had 85130 miles on it never had no major problems ever this is a brief summary.

Filed Dec 25, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · MS

I, along with many others are experiencing major problems with the instrument panels on our chevrolet trailblazer. My mother traded hers in because her speedometer was going out. But my problem is much worse, my whole entire dashboard is out. My gas gauge doesn't work, my speedometer doesn't work, my oil pressure doesn't work, my thermostat doesn't work, nothing works. My cruise control acts up too.

Filed Dec 10, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

I am a senior citizen I brought this car new. After one year I had to replace linc plate. Over the years everything has gone wrong with this car. Speedometer has not worked since aug. '08, gas gauge stopped oct. '11. Instrument cluster since 2010 and gm knows this is a defected part. Yet gm paid for this same defected part at their cost for the tahoe, but has not paid for the trailblazer. Why? Windows and doors do not unlock on command. Window wiper(rear) stopped working-I replaced that part. A/c comes on my itself. Thermostat failure. I think gm should stand behind their product. The only reason they would not is that they already know that they are producing substandard products that are not fit to be driven on the road.

Filed Sep 9, 2011 · Electrical · 108,000 miles · AL

The gauges started failing one at a time. First the oil and battery needles moved to the far right and buried off the chart. Now the speed is reading 90mph at a stop light and 10mph on the interstate. The cluster is gone and the whole driver dashboard is failing. The gas and oil gagues I fear are next. According to dealer they know there is a problem, but they have no problem charging up to $600 to fix the situation. This is mechanical and not caused by the owner. There are blogs all over the place on the same problem.

Filed Jul 28, 2011 · Electrical · 5,000 miles · NY

All electronic gauges within the instrument cluster failed at random times and very frequently, leading to the clusters' current state, which is all gauges are non-operational (dead). Hazardous condition caused due to speedometer failure. Chevy replaced the instrument cluster two times while under 36/36 mfg warranty. Chevy refuses to replace current instrument cluster since 36/36 has passed.

Filed Jun 18, 2011 · Electrical · VA

2003 trailblazer ext 4x4 loaded purchased new 5-2004 sticker $ 42,000 I have owned 14 vehicles and have never had one with the problems this truck has. Gm has designed engineered and sold an unreliable unsafe automobile. 1. Electrical issues: rear brake lamp boards replaced 3 times, radio replaced, headlamp sockets melted, brake lamp bulb base melted. 2. Car loss all power while driving wife had to sit in middle of road until tow truck came. Truck only 2yrs old at that time cause of problem ignition switch. 3. Electronic fan clutch replaced twice 10-10 and 6-11 had to battle dealership to cover based on problem and get attorney involved cost to replace with diag. $700.00. 4. Sway bar link pin kit replaced twice. 5. 4x4 transfer case will not go into 4-wheel drive 2-wheel drive only when you select 4-wheel drive truck will not move and makes internal noise.trailblazer has a total of 115,000 miles. Just to make a comparison I purchased in 2001 a new toyota tacoma truck it has 176,000 miles on the odometer.other than standard maintenance no issues at all.

Filed Apr 4, 2011 · Electrical · 88,976 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact observed that the speedometer would fluctuate continuously providing inaccurate speeds traveled. In addition, the tac and oil pressure gauges completely failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician was unable to locate the problem and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,976.

Filed Feb 6, 2011 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · FL

Bad electrical problem. My side mirrors aren't working at all. My rear brake lights are always inoperative. I always get a constant vibration coming from the engine. My gearbox sometimes freezes or gets stuck. Poor fuel efficiency.

Filed Jan 31, 2011 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · TX

My 2003 trailblazer ext. Would not start today, all dash lights come on but gas and voltage gauge don't register. Keys and key fobs are not recognized also only says unknown driver .it will not crank at all or even make noise, battery,alternator,starter and all fuses have been checked and are good. There is no security light that stays on and my key will remove from the ignition! Front door windows and door locks will not work or radio.....all lights, A/C, back windows, sunroof, power seats work!.......have not been able to find problem.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Electrical · 108,750 miles · IN

My 2003 chevy trailblazer's speedometer just froze up. Sitting still, I am doing 90 MPH. I tried disconnecting the negative battery terminal to reset it, but that did not work.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · PA

My 2003 trailblazer has a speedometer and tachometer that quit working most of the time. I contacted a gm dealer and was informed it would cost about $500 to repair. My cars inspections runs out soon and cant be inspected till this issue is repaired.

Filed Jan 14, 2011 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · WA

Speedometer quit working properly. May read 90 at a dead stop, may read 30 when traveling at 70, may read 120 at 50. No proper way to judge speed, have been using GPS for speed. With speedometer working improperly, other equipment in vehicle is working improperly also (I.e. Computer components, emission components,etc.)

Filed Dec 1, 2010 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · CA

2003 chevy trailblazer cluster panel quit working. No odometer, RPM, and occasionally the fuel gauge.

Filed Oct 25, 2010 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · NH · crash

Speedometer sticks at varying locations does not display accurate speed.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Electrical · 67,000 miles · TX

2003 chevrolet trailblazer - instrument cluster malfunction. Speedometer readings are erratic, fuel gauge is stuck above full level, water temperature gauge also has erratic readings. Gm recalled the suburban and tahoe for this issue but not the trailblazer.

Filed Sep 11, 2010 · Electrical · MS

2003 trailblazer ext lt speedometer not working, odometer working fine. Bought it used didn't work when I bought it. Looked up to see if there was a recall but all I seen was numerous complaints of the same situation but no recall.

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 50,000 miles · NY

Chronic problem/failure of instrument gages/cluster relating to speedometer, temperature and oil pressure for a 2003 chevy trailblazer ext. For example, the speedometer will unexpectedly raise to an alarming speed reading while the vehicle is not actually traveling more than a few miles per hour. Dealer advises that this condition is not covered by any recall notice and gm is unwilling to provide any assistance to alleviate this serious and unsafe condition. Other gm vehicles have been recalled for this exact condition. Also, this vehicle has experienced a cracked exhaut manifold due to poor design/engineering.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NC

My instrument cluster on my 2003 trailblazer ( speedometer , temp, voltage ,gas gauge oil press.) stopped working .I bought it new and it get serviced at the dealership regularly , first the speedometer stopped working then the others stopped working.

Filed Apr 8, 2010 · Electrical · 70 miles · OH

2003 chevy trailblazer speedometer and tach do not work properly. I have seen numerous complaints and gm has had a recall on this problem in numerous other vehicles but not this one.

Filed Mar 7, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 90,000 miles · GA

Headlamps keep going out and the connectors keep melting and burning the rear radio speakers go out the rear heat/air goes out the level 5 setting on the fan does not work these are not unusual complaints for this vehicle, there seems to be a standard being set with these issues.

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · NC

We own a chevy trailblazer, 2003 ext! I swear the SUV is possessed!speedometer sporadically acts up, stating higher MPH, sometimes it goes over 100mph, when were only going 30mph! It wont go back to 0 unless you turn the vehicle on/off repeatedly! Oil, battery and temp gauges all high, yet dealer cant find problem! Problem doesn't always occur yet I rely on my navigation system to determine speed as I no longer trust the 2003 chevy trailblazer.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Electrical · 37,500 miles · MO

Instrument cluster panel stops working. Gas gauge shows empty, battery light appears, oil gauge and other instruments start acting erratically. I had my 2003 chevy trailblazer at the dealer several times. 1st time they replaced the alternator, next time I was told the battery was weak. I had the battery checked at another location and it tested fine. My instruments are not registering properly again. This is about the 4th time this has happened and I don't want to be stuck somewhere along the highway. I never know when this problem will restart.

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