IllustrationI WAS DRVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION. IT WENT FROM 60 MPH TO THE NEEDLE GOING ALL THE WAY PAST 120 AND POINTING DOWN AT THE ODOMETER. MY SPEED DID NOT CHANGE DURING ALL THIS. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trailblazer Ext years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
4925–50K
6550–75K
4675–100K
24100–150K
15150K+
216 reports with mileage · 45 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
261 reportsEACH TIME I START MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT THE "CHANGE ENGINE OIL" LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER 15 SECONDS IT TURNS OFF. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MY RPM WILL EITHER GO EXTREMELY HIGH, TRAVELING 30 AND THE RPM SAYS I'M DOING 90, OR WILL GO EXTREMELY LOW, GOING 30-SAYS I'M GOING 0. ALSO, MY GAS GAUGE STARTED ME OUT WITH JUST UNDER A…
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EACH TIME I START MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT THE "CHANGE ENGINE OIL" LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER 15 SECONDS IT TURNS OFF. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MY RPM WILL EITHER GO EXTREMELY HIGH, TRAVELING 30 AND THE RPM SAYS I'M DOING 90, OR WILL GO EXTREMELY LOW, GOING 30-SAYS I'M GOING 0. ALSO, MY GAS GAUGE STARTED ME OUT WITH JUST UNDER A HALF A TANK OF GAS, AND WHEN I GOT TO WORK 15 MILES AWAY, I AM UNDER A QUARTER A TANK OF GAS. FINALLY, MY 4WD AND ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE I AM DRIVING. I DO NOT NEED TO SWITCH IT MYSELF, IT JUST SOMETIMES SWITCHES TO 4HI, AND FLASHES BETWEEN. THIS MORNING I NOTICED THE LIGHT WASN'T ON, PERIOD. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS ENTIRELY MESSED UP. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY EXTENDED TRAILBLAZER WITH 84,000 MILES. MY SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 90 MPH. I UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $500 TO FIX A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS FAIR. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT …
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY EXTENDED TRAILBLAZER WITH 84,000 MILES. MY SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 90 MPH. I UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $500 TO FIX A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS FAIR. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT RATE OF SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. I UNDERSTAND FROM DISCUSSION BOARDS IN THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON CHEVY TRAILBLAZER PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT YET HAD IT FIXED AS I CANNOT AFFORD IT AT THIS TIME. MY CAR WAS JUST IN A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR A COST OF OVER $300 FOR A THERMOSTAT. TW*
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH A MALFUNCTIONING DASH. THE RPM GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH ONLY WORKING ONCE IN A WHILE, GAS GAUGE QUITE WORKING LAST WEEK SO I AM JUDGING BY HOW MANY MILES I TRAVEL. THE MILEAGE HAS NOT STOPPED FUNCTIONING YET. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFE MANNER TO OPERATE THIS…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH A MALFUNCTIONING DASH. THE RPM GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH ONLY WORKING ONCE IN A WHILE, GAS GAUGE QUITE WORKING LAST WEEK SO I AM JUDGING BY HOW MANY MILES I TRAVEL. THE MILEAGE HAS NOT STOPPED FUNCTIONING YET. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFE MANNER TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE BU IT IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION .I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. CHEVY SHOULD BE HELP ACCOUNTABLE AND RECALL/FIX THIS ISSUE. *TW
MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER OIL, GAS, SPEEDOMETER AND BATTERY GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND MY HEATED SEATS SMELL LIKE THEY'RE BURNING WHEN TURNED ON. *TR
ALL GAUGES ARE RANDOMLY FAILING, BUT EVEN WHEN WORKING THEY DO NOT READ PROPERLY. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL READ ALL OVER THE PLACE AND NOT MOVE AND THEN AT TIMES APPEAR TO WORK, BUT THANKS TO A GPS IN THE CAR I NOTICED IT WAS SHOWING 10 TO 20 MPH OFF ON THE LOW SIDE. *TR
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2009 FOR A OIL CHANGE & A EXHAUST LEAK WAS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOUND OUT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM WHEN MANUFACTURING THE VEHICLE USED BOLTS THAT WERE TO LONG THEREFORE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WASN'T…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2009 FOR A OIL CHANGE & A EXHAUST LEAK WAS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOUND OUT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM WHEN MANUFACTURING THE VEHICLE USED BOLTS THAT WERE TO LONG THEREFORE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WASN'T PROPERLY TORQUE/TIGHTENED WHICH MADE THE MANIFOLD VIBRATE UNTIL IT BROKE AND PRIOR TO ITS BREAKING IT LEAKED THE MANIFOLD BECOMES LOOSE AND THAT LEADS TO IT CRACKING. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $319.50 & HAVING IT BACK FOR A MONTH & DRIVING IT 3 TIMES MY SPEEDOMETER WENT HAYWIRE REGISTERING A SITTING STILL SPEED OF 45 MPH. ONCE AGAIN LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER THEY HAVE ISSUED RECALLS FOR THE CHEVY TRUCKS AND YUKON GMC FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL SO FAR ABOUT THE TRAILBLAZER. THIS REPAIR WILL COST ME $516.33, BOTH OF THESE REPAIRS ARE DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING & SHOULD BE LISTED AS A RECALL. I JUST HOPE THAT NONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES I HAVE READ ABOUT BECOMES A CONCERN FOR ME. *TR
I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2009 FOR A OIL CHANGE & A EXHAUST LEAK WAS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOUND OUT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM WHEN MANUFACTURING THE VEHICLE USED BOLTS THAT WERE TO LONG MAKING THE MANIFOLD GET TO HOT AND THE…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2009 FOR A OIL CHANGE & A EXHAUST LEAK WAS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOUND OUT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM WHEN MANUFACTURING THE VEHICLE USED BOLTS THAT WERE TO LONG MAKING THE MANIFOLD GET TO HOT AND THEREFORE LEADS TO IT CRACKING. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $319.50 & HAVING IT BACK FOR A MONTH & DRIVING IT 3 TIMES MY SPEEDOMETER WENT HAYWIRE REGISTERING A SITTING STILL SPEED OF 45 MPH. ONCE AGAIN LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER THEY HAVE ISSUED RECALLS FOR THE CHEVY TRUCKS AND YUKON GMC FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL SO FAR ABOUT THE TRAILBLAZER. THIS REPAIR WILL COST ME $516.33, BOTH OF THESE REPAIRS ARE DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING & SHOULD BE LISTED AS A RECALL. I JUST HOPE THAT NONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES I HAVE READ ABOUT BECOMES A CONCERN FOR ME. *TR
BATTERY GAUGE FAILED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BUT NOW THE GAS GAUGE, OIL GAUGE AND FUEL GAUGE ARE FAILING AND ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING I HAVE READ THE SPEEDOMETER IS NEXT. MY DOME LIGHTS HAVEN'T WORKED RIGHT IN OVER A YEAR BUT THAT DIDN'T BOTHER ME. THE GAUGES ALL FAILING ARE A SAFETY FACTOR. IT OCCURS …
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BATTERY GAUGE FAILED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BUT NOW THE GAS GAUGE, OIL GAUGE AND FUEL GAUGE ARE FAILING AND ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING I HAVE READ THE SPEEDOMETER IS NEXT. MY DOME LIGHTS HAVEN'T WORKED RIGHT IN OVER A YEAR BUT THAT DIDN'T BOTHER ME. THE GAUGES ALL FAILING ARE A SAFETY FACTOR. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I START THE SUV - I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. IT IS ERRATIC, SOMETIMES REGISTERING "0" AND SOMETIMES REGISTERING 20-30 MPH OVER ACTUAL SPEED. *TR
Official recalls
104V527000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
Nov 1, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
EA07009 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline
Opened Jul 10, 2007 · Closed Aug 28, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.
EA04021 · Brake Lamp Failure
Opened Aug 3, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.