2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Body, Engine · 94,180 miles · PA · fire

On august 26, 2015 we purchased a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer from wali's auto sales in enola, pa. It had 93,907 miles on it and appeared to be in good condition with a clean car fax. We traded in our 1996 chevrolet suburban and received $1700 in trade in value purchasing the trailblazer for $5722.70 including tax and transfer fees. Brakes and ball joints had been replaced prior to our purchase along with a transmission line. We took the vehicle for an alignment as soon as we purchased it. We drove the vehicle approximately 200 miles and then on september 17th left home with intentions of driving the vehicle to stowe vermont. At 11:30 am on the morning of september 17th (approximately 2 hours into our trip) the vehicle lost power and brakes close to scranton, pa. The engine caught fire and within 7 minutes the vehicle burned up. The VIN number was not readable. The scranton fire department responded along with pennsylvania state police and the forty fort police. We have a copy of the fire report. The vehicle was towed by a local tow company. My wife and I escaped injury. We had liability insurance through state farm which covered towing and fire company expenses. Wali's gave us a 30 day warranty on the vehicle and has acknowledged since the incident that there is a warranty on the vehicle but is not forthcoming in allowing us to submit a claim to their insurance company.

Filed Sep 1, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 37,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

Driver 55 miles on north I-35 freeway engine lost power and driver had no power steering no power brakes hit right side wall and hit left side wall on freeway front tire blew out and safety belt pulled out of holder and driver was thrown all over auto driver had contacted gm motors and they said the auto was not on recall list and was safe auto had one previous problem as above loss of power but engine pick up power and ran this accident was just like the gm recall on the switch the driver injury severe and may never walk again driver has had two surgeries and still in the hospital since 6 15 2014 this needs to be on the gm report for defect auto list.

Filed May 16, 2014 · Engine · 200,000 miles · OH

The reduced power kicks in and check engine. Nothing is wrong with the engine it is now happening more frequently chevy needs to fix the problem and make a recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Apr 4, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 174,539 miles · MI

Was driving on the highway to lansing when my check engine light came on and I lost all power and guage function.I began to hear a loud howling noise, pulled off at the exit went to the repair shop in portland, mi where my wheel hub exploded in their hand on the passenger side. The fan clutch has completely stopped working witch caused the vehicle to overheat, and loose all power and my 4 wheel drive locked right up and stopped working. This was extremely dangerous at a rate of 70 MPH because the vehicle slowed all the way down to 25 and had no power. I have had so many issues with this vehicle that I am now checking for recalls to have the vehicle serviced completely.

Filed Jan 1, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 151,883 miles · CA

I had gone to a friends house with my boyfriend and our 10month old daughter the car was working great on 12-31-11 at around 5pm we parked the vehicle. On our way home at about 10:45pm we got on the road car drove fine we jumped on the fwy it was foggy and really hard to see we were on the 54 fwy in san diego approaching the 805 south there is a high on ramp we were going about 55 to 60 and all of a sudden I pushed on gas and lost all power to vehicle it sounded like I was in neutral and because it was up hill and curved very difficult to see us with just hazard lights on. I was praying thinking someone was going to take us out. Every car would swerving around us and honking we finally pulled over to the side of the fwy off of the ramp and turned off car turned it back on and it gave us enough power to get to the street exit. Once there again did the same and at that point we parked and left car on the side of the road after calling a friend to pick us up since we didn't want our baby out on the street that late and on new years. I have also had several other problems AC only works on 5 back passenger panel makes clicking noise when on and back AC works when it wants to. Also RPM gauge doesn't function, car alarm is very faint when place on. I have 3 other children and 1 car and now don't know what to do since we depend on the car. We have had small problems with this car and about 5 to 6 months ago my car engine started knocking and had to be replaced however AC already wasn't working and neither was the RPM gauge. When we replaced the engine the car ran great had a lot of power and everything. This was the worst experience of my life and I thought we were going to die.

Filed Nov 26, 2011 · Body, Engine · 20,000 miles · NC

This vehicle was purchased new in jun 2003. While still under warranty, various recalls were issued for steering, brake lights and rear hatch locking/handle assembly. Since then, the vehicle has been a lemon. Power steering pump replaced twice (first one I paid for, second independent and very reliable mechanic shop paid). Next the engine cooling fan bearing had to be replaced. Later, the transmission had to be rebuilt. I also had to get the computer checked and reset to avoid surging engine RPM and resultant speed deviations. Reaching a point of frustration as never before, I wrote gm asking for consideration repairing the transmission and received no response. I know they received the email since I had a "receipt requested" feature activated in my office computer. I sent a second email stating I was aware of the email receipt and that I expected a response. No such luck. All these problems manifested themselves well before the 100,000 miles were reached. Now at approximately 132,000 miles, I had to replace the exhaust manifold due to a crack, the vehicle has lost power on two occasions, the entire dashboard has gone to zero and back to normal several times and the latest is an engine noise that my very reliable, 6 year auto service provider has told be is related to the timing belt assembly/mount points and as it gets louder, the engine will be getting ready to fail. So, I read all these complaints today and felt like I could have summarized everyone's complaints and concerns. I am an accident investigator and have no doubt that this vehicle will go down in history as one of the most unreliable and dangerous cars ever built. Shame the feds have not taken the extra steps to remedy the issues after so many complaints yet, they went after top selling toyota at a time when the american made cars were barely able to stay afloat. Wonder?

Filed Jun 8, 2011 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · VA

When starting the vehicle, it periodically will not start, lose all power, key gets stuck in the ignition without ability to return ignition to off position. There is a sound (like a high voltage sound coming from a transformer) and eventually resets itself, until 2 days ago. It would not reset itself, resulting in it being towed to a repair center. They indicated it was the alternator and battery and after changing both, the service engine soon light came back on and the high voltage sound has returned. There are times the rear wiper will turn on without my touching anything and times where the RPM gage will get stuck.

Filed Nov 6, 2009 · Engine · 20,000 miles · PA

2nd time replacing clutch fan "68,000 miles" check engine light comes on. Loud noise from engine. Eventually goes into reduced power mode "max 10mph". My check engine light is on again and it is making that loud whirring noise again. I am expecting a third failure soon. This should be recalled.

Filed Feb 28, 2009 · Engine · 157,500 miles · NJ

Since I purchased my 2003 chevy trailblazer in jan 2004, I had it returned twice complaining of a ticking sound from the engine. Local dealer would not address the issue as the noise would come a go..I issued a complaint to the dealer and they got upset but never volunterred to fix the noise.. Last month a loud noise came from my engine, like a vacuum sound.. I lost power and was forced to leave the truck at a gm dealership.. They fixed made repairs by replacing the clutch pump. Cots me 900.00 for repairs. Now 3 weeks later I noticed that the ticking sound from the engine has disappeared.... If the chevy dealer only addressed this problem a few years ago when I originally complained , I may not had to dish out 900 for repairs.. Thank you chevy! And you wonder why your going out of business.! Good riddins!

Filed Dec 4, 2008 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · NC

I bought a used 2003 chevy trailblazer 2 months ago, now I' having over $1500 worth of transmission work done to it! After coming downhill on a busy highway, as I started up, a noise came from under my feet. I lost power and every time I gave it gas, that noise returned. Almost ran over by the heavy traffic speeding down the hill, was finally able to pull onto the dangerous shoulder. Shop said shell broke apart and went into trans. Shop said he has made a good living on these transmissions!!!...and replaces them with a much better, thicker, stronger "spline" in them. Who has to get killed before they switch over to these better aftermarket pieces?

Filed Jul 13, 2007 · Engine · 49,890 miles · MI

I brought my 2003 trailblazer in for service to my gm dealer while still under warranty for a ticking noise. The noise is intermittent and the periodic rate is constant regardless of engine speed RPM's. I now have 50k miles and the fan clutch motor failed and operated at 100%.through research online, the ticking sound is directly related to the fan clutch failure many gm trailblazer and envoy owners have experienced. The fan operates at 100% due to the fan clutch failing resulting in loss of power. I too have experienced what is described by many as the "lear jet" sound. The sudden loss of power at high speeds in my opinion is as safety concern and gm should recall this defective fan clutch motor. Customers with my 2002 and above have complained on several websites on this issue.

Filed Apr 5, 2006 · Acceleration, Brakes · 53,000 miles · TN

2003 trailblazer - reduced engine power light present when started. Would accelerate to 15mph. Rattle or grinding noise when braking or driving over bumps. Drove to beaty chevrolet knoxville tn tues, 2/7/06. Replaced throttle assembly & advised noise was from misaligned hood. Trailblazer picked up on fri, 2/10/06. Paid $200. Ext warranty ded. Gas empty stopped to fill up. While driving noticed fuel gauge past full mark, appeared to be pointing straight down. Noticed tachometer registered 6500 rpms. Called beaty chevrolet. Service department closed. Next day fuel gauge appears correct. After a week refueled and noticed fuel gauge was incorrect again. Noticed strong gas odor when vehicle is started & vehicle smoking. Called to schedule repairs on 2/28/06. Was unable to make appointment rescheduled for tues 3/9/06. Beaty informed that it must be guage sensor and not related to previous repair work so another $200. Deductible would be due. They were unable to detect fuel odor nor smoking. I disagreed with the $200 charge due to vehicle being defective when I picked it up from the service department on the first visit. Beaty chev. Said they did not look at the tachometer nor fuel gauge when they service vehicles so they would not have known about the problem. Lol .. I called gm warranty and they would not waive the $200 and said the dealership would be responsible. I contacted the dealership again and they thought gm would waived because of the numerous problems with the guage sensors. However they would not admit that they did not check the vehicle when it was being repaired the first visit. I have read numerous complaints regarding reduced power throttle assembly, guage malfunctions, and grinding noise when braking and feel that gm should recall and reimburse the consumer for the repairs they have paid. Vehicle is still making grinding noise and now seems to lunge forward when brake is released. I need help and any advice you have to offer.