Eight problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Thermostat has failed twice during long trips. This causes the engine to run hot or cold. I am on my third one and have concluded it must be a design defect. Failure of this component may cause the engine to fail and thus strand the driver.
The fan clutch on my 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer has failed for a second time. First failure at 81000 miles and failure of dealer installed replacement at 115000. The failure results in a loss of acceleration ability, the noise level is a considerable distraction to myself and other drivers, and the pending failure of the cooling system could lead to unsafe roadside conditions.
Antifreeze is leaking from rear heater core. Caused my engine to overheat. Fluid leaks at a fairly rapid rate. In doing research I found that they changed the heater core so this repair costs an extra $500 for parts to retrofit a new heater core. If there is a flaw in the design why isn't this a recall? it could cause engine damage. I called gm with no luck.
2003 Trailblazer transmission lines. Coolant lines rusted at the factory connection. Major fluid loss, had to repair immediately.
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!.
I have a high revving sound when my vehicle is about to take off (it only happens on take off, first gear). Then it will go away after it shifts into second gear. I have taken it into the dealer ship to get looked at and they could not do anything because it was not happening at the time. I was fine with that. Two weeks later it starts doing it again and I take it in 2 days after it started doing it again. The day before I take it in the "service engine soon" light comes on. Keep in mind the noise has always happened before the light came on.
Trailblazer over heated about a year ago, ran diagnostics-changed the fan clutch assy, worked for two months. Over heated again- more diagnostics-warranty fan clutch, worked for a week- warranty fan clutch again and changed the coolant temp sensor- still over heating. Dealership wanted to change the fan clutch again- I refused because this is about to run me into the poor house.
I own a 2003 chevy Trailblazer lt @ 35,825 miles I reported my vehicle binds up on turns & of course the garage found nothing (drove it 20 miles for comparison @ the time). So now that I am up to 82,090 miles now I mention suspension issues still & of course they find both lower ball joints need replaced @ $320. 06 & left outer tie rod end broken @ $170. 80. Also they inform me I need to replace 3 of my 4 stabilizer bar links are loose & rattling @ an estimate of $320. 00 (haven't done yet) also, I have looked on a website called mycarstats. Com & found many others with these same issues with this vehicle @ much lower mileage & where tie rod issue caused an accident -- they weren't as lucky as me. Also people I work with who have this same yr & model vehicle have had to have ball joints, sway bars replaced, and other suspension work @ lower mileages. I also had an issue with my 4-wheel drive becoming inoperative & this did almost cause me to wreck going up hill during winter weather. They replaced front differential engagement actuator. All these things in my mind should not have happened at these mileages. The 4-wheel drive quit @ 80,000 miles. All these issues can create safe driving issues for the consumer especially someone who pays over $30,000 for a vehicle when it's new. Let me add now that the latest expensive repair to add to my list is the fan clutch assembly on my engine cooling fan system $573. 00 -- also found many gm owners of bravada, rainers, envoys & Trailblazers experiencing this items failure too.