2003 Chevrolet Blazer

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Air bags	13	13%
Electrical system	12	12%
Power train	11	11%
Structure	9	9%
Fuel system	7	7%
Engine and engine cooling	5	5%
Exterior lighting	5	5%
Visibility	3	3%
Steering	3	3%
Service brakes	3	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

REAR ENDED A STOPPED PICK UP AT 45 MPH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS ON A HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55. THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED BUT MOST WAS ON DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

1/10/2018, WHILE DRIVING ON I-96, SUV SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 72MPH. I COASTED VEHICLE TO A STOP IN THAT LANE, AS HEAVY TRAFFIC WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PULL OVER. MY FAMILY OF FOUR WERE IN THAT SUV WHEN T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2015 WITH 71,000 - THE BODY WAS VERY WELL KEPT INSIDE AND OUT. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS THE EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION UNDER THE VEHICLE, WHICH DID NOT SHOW INITIALLY. I H
NHTSA complaint: Structure

TAKATA INFLATORS: I HAD LEFT MY HOUSE HEADED TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 AM AND GOT ON I40 EASTBOUND, IT HAD SNOWED THE DAY BEFORE AND THE ROADS HAD BEEN TREATED AND WERE CLEAR FOR TRAVEL, I WAS TRAVELING ON A 3 LANE H
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

MY 03 BLAZER HAS HAD ITS AIRBAG LIGHTS ON FOR SOME TIME NOW AND I'M WORRIED THAT IF I GET INTO A CRASH MY AIRBAGS WONT DEPLOY, I'M SCARED ALSO TO SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ALONG THE SAME LINES AS MINE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

DRIVERS DOOR HINGES ARE LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DOOR LATCH AND DOOR FLYING OPEN. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS STARTING THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WAS HIT BY RIGHT SIDE IMPACT BY A TRUCK WITHOUT BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT. IT WAS GOING 40 MPH. COMING DOWN HILL AS I TOOK OFF AT STOP LIGHT . PUSHED ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ! ALSO I WAS HIT O
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Equipment:other:labels 04V132000

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	75	good
Longevity est.	76	good
Maintenance	70	good
Depreciation	92	excellent
Performance	67	good
Efficiency	33	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 46% of SUVs
Longevity: better than 60% of SUVs
Running costs: better than 42% of SUVs
Value retention: better than 98% of SUVs

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 75: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 76: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2003 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 70: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer?

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 13 of them (13%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.