Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL
448610022914One of the following concerns when programming the mileage or the hours into an exchange instrument panel cluster that is received from an electronic service center (esc). *nj10/04/2007

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL
05/03/201073153
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. the contact was driving approximately between 35-40 mph approaching a traffic light. when coming from the complete stop the speedometer displayed an inaccurate reading of 95 mph. the vehicle continued in operation. the failure occurred intermittently with the speed rate reading fluctuating. the authorized dealer was notified which stated the vehicle was not covered under a service warranty. the vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. the contact had concern of the safety risk involved. the failure mileage was 73,153.
03/05/200454000210/08/2002
 2003 chevrolet trailblazer speedometer failed *gr the speedometer would register as high as 120 mph. the vehicle was inspected and it was determined there was an internal malfunction on the instrument cluster. the consumer was informed it would cost $550 for a replacement cluster. the rear passenger taillight and passenger side head light burned out and was replaced. the water pump and serpentine belt were replaced. the mechanic noted a broken bolt in the water pump that held down the housing and the ball joints were replaced. *jb
08/19/200865000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. the contact observed while driving approximately 45 mph; the instrument cluster displayed an incorrect reading intermittently. in addition, the rpm remained incorrect and the speedometer showed a faulty reading. the failures occurred at any speed rate. the vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. the current mileage was 69,488. the failure mileage was 65,000.
03/04/20101191145
 Speedometer sticks at 65 mph when using the cruise control. this is the fifth time this has happened. dealer suggests instrument cluster replacement. this is a safety hazard. many posts on internet for same problem, but no vehicle recall. meanwhile truck series had same problem and was recalled. this need to be taken care of now. *tr
12/15/2005300001
 2003 chevy trailblazer. instrument cluster started making a noise when you turn off the vehicle. this was about 30,000? miles. dealer said was normal. now for the past 5 years battery just goes dead overnight. traced to a continual battery draw from the instrument panel. dealer only wants to charge for a diagnostic test and said would not be covered by any warranty even though it started prior to warranty expiration. *tr
02/18/2010640001
 I own a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer that has a malfunctioning speedometer. although gm has issued a recall on other trucks and suvs with the same problem, the trailblazer has not been made a part of this recall. i have friends who have experienced the same problem with their trailblazers, so it seems to be a common issue. my vehicle only has 64k miles at the current time, which would fall within the realm of warranty repair for the other recalled vehicles. i am an avid chevy owner, but i feel that gm has fallen down on addressing this concern with trailblazer owners. *tr
12/09/2009580001
 Speedometer inconsistently failing. updated 03/15/10
01/17/2010760001
 Speedometer of 2003 trailblazer failed, reading 2-3x actual speed. obvious safety issue. internet search reveals this a common problem. *tr
12/29/2009790001
 I own a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. during a stretch of sub zero temperatures, the speedometer is consistently showing incorrect speeds. when the truck is turned off, the speedo shows 60mph. checking with local mechanics, they advise that this is a common problem that they see with this make and model. they inform me that numerous recalls are available in the tahoe and silverado for this same issue in the 03 model. i have lodged a complaint with chevrolet customer service. currently, no recall is in effect for this defect (my truck just turned 80,000 miles). the estimate i've received to correct this defect is around $400 to $600 depending on who services the vehicle. a vehicle with this type of defect is unsafe and unfit for my family to drive. mis-judging speed, especially during winter driving conditions could lead to serious injury or even death (i live in the midwest). i am also at an increased risk for receiving speeding tickets. i appreciate the opportunity to file my concerns on the odi website. thank you for your time. *tr
11/07/2009890001
 Instrument panel failing on 2003 chevrolet trail blazer, rpm, 3-6 months ago, fuel gauge 2-3 weeks ago; unidentifiable light comes on and off. *tr
12/20/2009970001
 Speedometer in vehicle stopped working then it starts again then it tops out at 120 mph while vehicle is sitting still or 30 mph while vehicle is sitting still then at certain times it will work and then it doesn't i don't know whether to replace it or what then the rpm gauge works then it won't. *tr
07/09/2009350001
 Instrument panel malfunctions...speedometer jumps and gets pinned also tachometer does the same thing. you can be driving 20 miles per hour and the speedometer shows 85. its happening more and more. *tr
11/19/2009831141
 2003 chevrolet trailblazer with approximately 83,000 miles on it. i was on the way to work this morning and my speedometer out of the blue just started reading the wrong speed. i was doing 35 mph and it showed i was doing 120mph. the needle then shot straight down and now it starts off at around 90-100 mph mark and still rotates clockwise. this is a serious problem and could lead to the safety of me, my occupants, and others. the dealership wants $350.00 for parts and labor, that is outrageous since this is totally out of my control, this is not a part that somebody should have to pay out of pocket for. i see a lot of complaints regarding this item in my vehicle as well as the gmc envoy. please help !!!! *tr
04/12/20087300
 Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. she smelled fuel fumes coming through the air vents of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer , and the fuel tank was replaced. the repair did not remedy the failure. secondly the head-lights fail while driving. lastly, the lighting of the instrument control panel was inoperative. she contacted the gm manufacturer, and was referred back to the dealer. the vehicle has been taken to several dealers, but the failures have not been remedied. the failure mileage was 7,300. the vehicle identification number was unavailable.
10/13/2009701271
 Speedometer is broken with only 70,000 miles on the vehicle. *tr
03/01/2009960001
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. the contact stated that the rpm dial fails to move and the speedometer is beginning to fail. initially, the speedometer made a ticking noise as the speed increased, but currently the dial is stuck at 40 mph. whenever the engine is turned off, the speedometer dial does not go back to zero. when the vehicle is restarted, the dial will drop to 35 mph. when the driver accelerates, the dial moves and remains at 40 mph. as a result, the contact is never sure how fast she is driving. the manufacturer stated that they were aware of the failures and issued an improvement campaign for those with vehicles that had less than 80,000 miles. through research, the contact found numerous vehicles with the same failures, but with more mileage. she believes that a recall should be issued because it is obviously a manufacturer defect. the vehicle has not yet been repaired. the failure mileage was 96,000 and current mileage was 101,000. updated 08/31/09 *bf updated 09/04/09.*jb
01/15/2009540001
 Speedometer quit working. it would freeze at 120+ mph. eventually it would work it's way back down to 0 mph and works when it wants. it accurate when it does work?? ac blower quit blowing in the front - blower module resistor replacement needed. seems to be popular complaint on this vehicle. ambient temperature sensor went out - affects inside temp w/ac as well. this went out 100 miles after warranty expired and dealer wouldn't fix under warranty. all of this of course after warranty expires. *tr
07/03/20091160001
 I have a 2003 chevy trailblazer and after some heavy rain my speedometer stopped working. i did research on the web to find that there are others who have the same issue where a change in weather makes the device stop functioning. when i contacted gm they said that despite the lawsuit that is evident about the same type of issue, my model was not listed. i have read online where other people have experienced the same thing. i find it odd that gm knows this is a problem but expects everyone to pay $400-600 to get it fixed. if it is a defect in their product they should honor the fact that we paid for it and now it has failed people. *tr
03/02/200975000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. while driving approximately 70 mph, the speedometer read 110 mph. the contact stopped the vehicle for a few minutes to allow the speedometer to reset, but it only decreased to 90 mph. the dealer stated that there was electrical failure and the instrument panel console cluster needed to be replaced. the vehicle has not been repaired. the contact must use her gps to determine how fast she is driving. she feels that gmc should be responsible for the repair. the failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 78,734.
06/18/2009800001
 I own a 2003 chevy trailblazer. noticed the speedometer doesn't go past 0 on my vehicle. all other gauges working properly. i'm reading a lot of complaints regarding this gauge on this particular model of chevy, but no recalls. why not? *tr
05/22/2009450001
 I have an 2003 trailblazer with a bad instrument cluster(speedo, tach, gas gauge, temp) all not working! all of chevy vehicles in this class( tahoe, silverado) have been recalled for this problem except for the trailblazer. this seems a bit ridiculous to me considering the part numbers for the clusters are all exactly the same. when i went to the dealership i was told it would cost around $500 for the repair. i contacted chevy and was told it is not their problem even though thousands of their vehicles have been recalled for the exact problem with the exact same part numbers. i had to buy a gps system just so i could know how fast i am traveling because i could not afford the full repair cost, nor do i feel i should have to. i have done plenty of online research and have found thousands of complaints identical to mine. my problem is that i don't understand why they recalled the tahoes and silverados and not the trailblazer when the part numbers are identical. *tr
04/01/2009520001
 Started hearing a ticking noise coming from under the hood. took it in to get checked out. had to replace fan clutch motor at a cost of nearly 500 dollars. 2 weeks later started having crazy speedometer readings. *tr
02/11/2007300001
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. while driving 25 mph, the contact noticed that the fuel gauge was not registering the correct amount of fuel. occasionally, the gauge would indicate that no fuel was present in the vehicle at all. the vehicle was not inspected and no repairs were made at that time. one year later, the temperature gauge, actuator on the air conditioning/heating system, and the speedometer failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they confirmed that the actuator failed. the vehicle was repaired at the cost of $720. the manufacturer stated that no compensation would be provided because the failure was not under recall. the failure mileage was 30,000 and current mileage was 44,000. updated 4/23/09 *cn updated 04/28/09. *jb
01/27/2009740001
 Speedometer quit working during a cold rainy spell in january 2009. as the weather warmed, the speedometer starting working but quickly malfunctioned again. now the speedometer does not work at all and stays at 120 consistently. i have the vehicle speed sensor replaced in feb. 2009, but it did not correct the problem. i have had all fuses and wiring checked by an ase certified mechanic and he has come to the conclusion it could be the instrument cluster. i have researched on the internet that this seems to be a problem for chevrolet trailblazers. *tr
01/03/2009920001
 These speedometer ceases to work in cold weather. it will show 40 or even 80 mph when the vehicle it stopped at a stoplight. often when the vehicle is in motion the indicator is pointed at the odometer. this is a serious safety hazard. not knowing your actual speed is extremely dangerous. i have been told there was a recall for this but was told by a chevrolet dealer that i would have to pay for it. i looked on this website and did find one but i may have missed it, as i am new to this area of car ownership. *tr
01/11/20091360001
 Speedometer reads 60 mph too high. has returned to normal one time but problem has happened again (original problem was too weeks ago.) tachometer also reads too high (3000 rpms) and has for several months. *tr
12/18/20081
 Driving on highway speedometer went above 100 mph then above 120 mph. now the needle is pointing straight down. *tr
11/01/20071600001
 I purchased the used 2003 chevy trailblazer may 2006. last year the speedometer started jumping above my actual speed. approx. 4 days later it rectified itself. it has happened 4 - 6 times and each time the same thing happens and it takes about 4 days to fix itself again. i haven't kept a log but it seems to be happening more frequently. i've read other owners stating what they had done. i cannot afford $300 - $400 taking it to a dealer. how many complaints need to made before a recall it set in motion for chevrolet? thank you! *tr
11/15/2006770001
 Speedometer started fluctuating around 55k miles. finally quit totally at 77k which was beyond my extended warranty. don't have enough money to pay the 500 bucks to get it fixed with $4 a gallon gas. as smooth as the trailblazer rides it is hard to tell how fast you are going,,,,,,,,,,,certainly a safety hazard. gm should be covering this for life of car. *tr
03/19/2008500001
 Speedometer quits working after short travel distance. it happens everytime i travel for 10-20 mins. i know i'm traveling at 55mph but it reads 20mph or so. *tr
01/10/2008320001
 The instrument panel goes haywire when car in operation. the speedometer will not show correct speed. the tachometer will not operate at all. these problem are intermittent. i have not had the problem fixed because i am hoping this will be covered by a recall through gm. *tr
03/24/200840000103/09/2003
 2003 chevrolet trailblazer speedometer failure problem started at about 40,000 miles intermittent, now with 60,000 miles has completely failed. estimate for repair is $600.00. *tr
03/01/200850840612/18/2005
 The motors on the gauge cluster start to fail around 50k miles. mine is failing right now with 51k miles causing a false reading on the speedometer. after a short time on the road the speedometer starts to lose speed with out lifting off the gas pedal. after a 1/2 hr on the road doing(atleast i think) 65mph it will read that i am doing only 20-30 mph.. *tr
08/10/200755000103/10/2003
 I have a 2003 chevy trailblazer. my instrument cluster has stopped working. my speedometer, gas, oil, temp, and amps do not work. chevy currently has a recall on other models for this problem, but not the trailblazer. i feel chevy need to take responsibility for all of their vehicles. *tr
01/25/2006447501511/01/2002
 Speed odometer, temperature and oil gauges failed. *tr
01/10/20085900050
 2003 chevrolet trailblazer speedometer stuck...received recall letter for 2004 silverado....why not 2003 trailblazer? there have been tons of problems from researching on the net. *tr
12/23/200764600103/01/2003
 I have a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer ltz. there are stepper motors that run each gauge inside the gauge cluster. my speedometer stepper motor has gone bad causing me to not know what my speed is. i have seen this same problem on numerous message boards as well. *tr
07/11/2007650001
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet trailblazer. while driving 60 mph, the instrument panel cluster failed. the speedometer and the tachometer worked sporadically. the vehicle was diagnosed and repaired by the dealer. the purchase date and transmission type were unknown. the current mileage was approximately 76,000 and failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
01/05/2008450001
 The speedometer on my 2003 chevy trailblazer went from 0 to 120 at a stop sign. now it is stuck past the 120 and just vibrating. sometimes it will go back to 120 but seemed to go right back to the dead space past 120. the trailblazer only has 45,000 miles. *tr
10/01/2005400005006/28/2003
 Shortly after the warranty expired on our trail blazer, the speedometer started giving false readings or would quit working. we talked to the selling dealer and was told that the repair would cost about 500.00 dollars. to me this is a safety issue and should be repaired by general motors at no cost to us. we have been told that gm is replacing speedometers on other models with the same problem.*cn
10/16/2007775005010/03/2003
 2003 chevy trailblazer. the speedometer has gone wild. i.e: i am sitting still at a red light and the speedometer is pointing to 80 or 100 or even worse, pointing straight down in the six o clock position. *tr
06/01/200575000112/27/2002
 Speedometer failure, 2003 chevrolet trailblazer, 75,000 miles. *tr
11/20/2006110/01/2003
 The speedometer on my 2003 trailblazer quit working. it displays a speed that is anywhere from 10 - 70 mph over what the actual speed is. the problem is due to a bad cluster of gauges. *jb
01/20/200742000504/17/2006
 When driving @ speeds over 60 mph, the speedometer would just keep going until the needle was pointing straight down. it would then stick at about 70 mph, and then each time you would turn the vehicle on, the speedometer would go down 5 mph, and eventually reset itself. *nm
02/12/200766103110/06/2006
 Instrument cluster stopped working properly. speedometer would register various mph while vehicle stopped, can only guess how fast vehicle is actually traveling when moving. taken to dealership, diagnostics run, quoted $390 to replace, including a charge for programming new instrument cluster. temporarily reset. *nm
02/10/2007103/14/2003
 2003 chevrolet trailblazer ltz; 71, 000 miles. speedometer stopped and started at 70 mph while i was driving slowly on a residential street. later that day it dropped to 50 mph as the starting and stopping point even when the ignition was turned off. if an accident had occurred, what speed was being recorded in the vehicle's black box? the chevrolet dealer says i have to replace the instrument panel. this would cost about $500. vehicle is out of warranty and i have notified gm. *jb
11/04/200660650110/01/2005
 I own a 2003 chevy trailblazer. it has just over 60,000 miles. the speedometer stopped working correctly a few days ago. the speedometer reads between 85-120 mph no matter how fast i am driving. i have been told by my local chevy dealer that it will cost around $400.00 to have the speedometer repaired. i believe chevrolet should be responsible for the replacement/repair costs since this is a safety issue that numerous other chevy truck/suv owners have also experienced. they should have recalled the speedometers on their suvs/trucks a long time ago.*jb
11/16/200652200106/19/2003
 2003 chevrolet trailblazer lt (mileage: 52,200)- speedometer failure vehicle taken to dealer. told by dealer this is common failure. my vehicle is out of warranty (3yr/36,000 miles) [subsequent years warranties: 5yr/100,000 mile] cost to repair $560. *jb
11/18/2006109/19/2003
 Transmission failure. i own a 2003 trailblazer and have had numerous problems with it. they have replaced 4 fan clutches, 3 computers, transmission just had its 2nd overhaul and numerous other little items. this vehicle only has 66,400 miles on it and i bought it brand new. *jb
08/19/20061
 Dt*: the contact stated the instrument panel did not function properly. the speedometer indicated 30 mph while the vehicle was parked. also, the tachometer, the oil and fuel gauges, and the odometer did not give a reading at all. the fuses were removed and put back in, which only corrected the problem temporarily. the vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the mechanic was unable to determine the problem.