The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
49 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee 942003 Nissan Murano 4662003 Hyundai Santa Fe 121
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 13,000 and 45,000 miles (21,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 49 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 04V132000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Chevy sent dealers 408 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Water leak from sunroof into headliner”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 49 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 45K miles (21K to 72K km) on the car (26 of all 49 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While driving at 30 mph consumer was unable to control the vehicle, causing the vehicle to run off the road. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealership. Mechanic informed the owner that the 4-wheel drive failed.
2003 Chevrolet Blazer owner · NHTSA complaint 10055472
More owner reports
While traveling at 40 mph, consumer states another vehicle traveling in front came to a sudden stop. Consumer rear ended that vehicle, and none of consumer airbags deployed. Please provide any further information. Ph
NHTSA complaint 8023949
Intermittently, while parking the vehicle on a slight incline, the vehicle engaged from park to reverse and surges. The dealer has inspected and found nothing wrong. The owner was scheduled to receive two hours driving class.
NHTSA complaint 10048501
Fixes owners look up most.
From 194 YouTube videos · 14.4M views · 1995–2005 Chevrolet Blazer
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Before you buy, watch
List of Problems! MINT Condition S-10 Blazer 4.3 4x4Rainman Ray's Repairs · 147K views
2000 chevy blazer 4x4 problemszachary moore · 29K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 408 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Water leak from sunroof into headliner
- The service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear, the transmission does not…
- Slip condition in 2nd, 3rd or 4th damaged 2-4 band 3-4 clutch on the 4l60e/4l65e automatic…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.".
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Blazer recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★☆☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Blazer year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 5 older years (1995–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 17 Chevrolet Blazer years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-blazer/?y=2003" title="Chevrolet Blazer reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-blazer/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Chevrolet Blazer reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 113; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Blazer year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2020.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Blazer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (22%), airbags (14%) and body structure (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Blazer problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 13,000 and 45,000 miles (21,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 26 complaints, of all 49 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer have?
4.3L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Blazer year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works