2003 Chevrolet Blazer ZR2 4.3L V6 from North America

Summary:

Don't even look at them, run away!!!!!

Faults:

The ball joints fail on a regular basis!!!

Factory front shocks are too short!!! They self destruct!!!

Oil cooler leaked and failed once already!

Hard on gas. Really hard on gas!!!

Front end never stays straight.

Interior plastics fall apart, and just crack and rattle.

Remote oil filter assembly cracked and fell off. Found it sitting in my skid plate. If the skid wasn't there, the oil lines would have ripped off and the Blazer would have ran itself right dry. All the oil would have ran onto the highway.

CD player not long works, just skips all the time.

The Transfer Case Control Module corrodes easily, wires just rot away. Failed in a restaurant parking lot.

Weak 4x4 system.

General Comments:

It's so hard on gas I average 12.5 MPG in the city!! Would put up with it if it had 230 HP, but it doesn't; the 4.3L only packs about 190 HP.

The engine is so cheap, so cheap! Casts are so crude to the point that I've seen better jobs done on frying pans. Oh yeah the valve covers are plastic; will probably start leaking soon.

The factory front shocks are too short for the suspension they have. So short that when the suspension drops down, the shocks have to take ALL (!!!) the stress. They get pulled apart!

The ball joints are too small and can't handle much. They burn left, right and center; just part of the big list of known problems with these things.

Remote oil filter assemblies always crack and split. So bad to the point that the only thing keeping them from falling off the vehicle is the rust and corrosion they cause to the chassis.

The interior is the cheapest yet I've ever seen. I'm sure drink bottles are made from better materials.

I could write a novel on the issues with the electronics behind the 4x4 system.

No logic went into the wiring of it all. Wires rot all the time, and there are a lot of them.

No issues with the fuel injection yet! Another known problem with this generation of GM engines across the board.

Chevy really dropped the ball on these trucks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th August, 2015

12th Aug 2015, 00:12

You bought a 12 year old vehicle with high mileage which probably wasn't maintained, and you are upset that it needs repairs?

Your "review" contains way too many sweeping statements (and exclamation points) to take seriously.

12th Aug 2015, 12:07

Your review is certainly in line with my own research. When my Ramcharger rusted away and I was in the market for a new 4x4, I took a very close look at these smaller Chevy Blazers. On the surface, they look great, they look tough, but my research told a story of failed ball joints, failed transfer cases, failed transmissions, and other instances of shoddy parts. Apparently they were made to project an image, but do not live up to that image.

16th Aug 2015, 02:48

Good review.

The ball joints alone disqualify the vehicle as worthy of purchase.

The rest of the issues bury it.

2003 Chevrolet Blazer LS 4x4 4.3 Vortec V6 from North America

Summary:

Most dependable small SUV

Faults:

Considering how much I beat on this, it hasn't had too much go wrong.

Right front brake caliper got stuck and burned out the disc; replaced it at 147,000.

After going through a 30 ft mud hole, I cracked the distributor and got it wet, causing a misfire, which dumped unburnt fuel into the cat, and I burned that out. Cost $1200 to repair all the damage.

Bent frame rail after a nasty incident on a two track where it got a few feet off the ground.

Fuel pump went out at 153,000.

Broke right front tow hook towing it home after the distributor went out.

General Comments:

This is a bulletproof vehicle. I've driven this like it were meant for a rally, I've had it on 2 wheels more than once, and I've put it in the ditch with very little damage.

The 4.3 Vortec is a monster, and has plenty of power to push this Blazer through any mud hole or up any hill.

After the abuse on the trails, I can drive home on the interstate at 90 mph comfortably, but after a few hours my butt will get sore.

I owned a 95 Blazer as well, and I flipped that over on a trial, got my friend to put it back on its wheels, then I drove it home. The Blazer has never let me down, and it continues to amaze me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th February, 2013