2003 Chevrolet Blazer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 16%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer, 16% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I brought the vehicle on october 04, 2006. I have many problems with this vehicle. I don't even know what to do anymore. I have contacted the dealership plenty of times but they are no help at all. The vehicle has a transmission problem. I have taken it to the mechanic but they haven't been any help either. I have tried many times to get the dealership to help me since it hasn't even been a year since I brought it but they just told me that I bought it so it's my problem. For that reason I want to cancel the purchase of my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10152181, filed 2006-03, 55,986 miles“I brought the vehicle on october 04, 2005. I have many problems with this vehicle. I don't even know what to do anymore. I have contacted the dealership plenty of times but they are no help at all. The vehicle has a transmission problem. I have taken I it to the mechanic but they haven't been any help either. I have tried many times to get the dealership to help since it hasn't even been a year since I brought it but they just told me you brought it so it's your problem. For that reason I want to cancel the purchase of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10152186, filed 2006-03, 55,986 miles“Purchased new 2003 Chevrolet Blazer with manual transmission on 08/08/2003. I did not drive the car on 08/09/2003, but drove it again on 08/10/2002. Twice on 08/08/2003, and four times on 08/10/2003, when starting from a stop, I experienced a significant failure of the transmission, which substantially impairs the use and safety of the vehicle. In first gear, with no warning, either visible, audible, or tactile, the transmission violently throws the gear shift lever out of first gear, bringing the vehicle suddenly into neutral. …”
NHTSA complaint #10032535, filed 2003-08, 210 miles“2003 Blazer ls 4x4, 29,000 miles, automatic transmission. We purchased this car in february 2004 with 21,000 miles on it. It currently has 29,000 miles. Cruise control and transmission shift point we have owned this Blazer for 5 months. Immediately we noticed that when the Blazer has the cruise control engaged, frequently when travelling at highway speeds, and the cruise control wants to downshift to third gear it will instead shift into 2nd gear. The downshift red-lines the engine to 5000 RPM. It has downshifted from 4th gear to 2nd gear around two dozen times in 7,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10080728, filed 2004-07, 21,000 miles“Consumer had experienced loud thumping from the engine compartment. There were times when transmission got stuck in one gear for an extended amount of time. Vehicle was taken to the dealer four times for transmission problems. Also, fuel gauge was not functioning properly. When gas was in the tank it could register full one minute and half full the next minute without moving the vehicle. Manufacturer and the dealer had been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10039773, filed 2003-09, 16,547 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
- 10096073Feb 17, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 15% |
| 2023 | 10 | 23% |
| 2022 | 12 | 22% |
| 2021 | 19 | 13% |
| 2020 | 75 | 33% |
| 2019 | 64 | 34% |
| 2004 | 4 | 8% |
| 2003 | 12 | 16% |
| 2002 | 33 | 13% |
| 2001 | 31 | 10% |
| 2000 | 84 | 14% |
| 1999 | 54 | 12% |
| 1998 | 74 | 10% |
| 1997 | 110 | 14% |
| 1996 | 96 | 8% |
| 1995 | 68 | 6% |
| 1994 | 12 | 2% |
| 1993 | 19 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 1% |
| 1991 | 8 | 4% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
| 1989 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 4 | 13% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
14 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsInterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology