2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext vs 2003 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext | 2003 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 313 | 1,131 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 117 | 122 |
| Investigations | 6 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 60 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 10 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 14–16 | 15–17 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 69,000 mi | 74,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 49 | 335 |
| Structure | 20 | 354 |
| Electrical System | 77 | 54 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 80 | 7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 16 | 69 |
| Visibility | 25 | 57 |
| Suspension | 12 | 63 |
| Wheels | 1 | 56 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 30 | 31 |
| Check engine light | 15 | 25 |
| Stalling | 9 | 65 |
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 36 |
| Shifting problems | 0 | 22 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 20 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 18 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 7 |
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext
2003 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.