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 reports
136,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN IT TRIES TO SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, I READ THAT THERE WAS A REPORT ON THIS HAPPENING BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AS FAR AS I KNOW, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO SAYS THEY NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPER WORK FROM GM ABOUT DOING REPAIRS. MY QUESTION IS WILL GM REPAIR …
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN IT TRIES TO SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, I READ THAT THERE WAS A REPORT ON THIS HAPPENING BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AS FAR AS I KNOW, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO SAYS THEY NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPER WORK FROM GM ABOUT DOING REPAIRS. MY QUESTION IS WILL GM REPAIR THIS CONDITION AT NO COST TO ME?
NHTSA ODI #10955188
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2016
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM DID NOT DETECT MOISTURE. AS A RESULT, THE WIPERS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND OPERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM DID NOT DETECT MOISTURE. AS A RESULT, THE WIPERS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND OPERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V046000 (VISIBILITY/WPIER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10899146
98,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10819715
32 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDODOMETER AND RPM CLUSTERS MALFUNCTIONS,WHY
NHTSA ODI #10807848
190,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
THE INLET CHECK VALVE IS FRACTURED AND CHEVY WILL NOT DO ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE MILEAGE BEING OVER 150000
NHTSA ODI #10806350
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
MY FUEL TANK HAS A HOLE IN IT. I HAVE FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND ALSO WITH GM. AN NHTSA WORKER HELPED ME A LOT AND WHEN I CALLED GM AND CHEVY BACK I WAS TOLD SEVERAL TIMES SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME. I HAVE TRIED TO GET IT FIXED BUT NO ONE IS ABLE TO HELP. I HAVE TRIED MANY PLACES FOR USED FUEL TANKS …
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MY FUEL TANK HAS A HOLE IN IT. I HAVE FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND ALSO WITH GM. AN NHTSA WORKER HELPED ME A LOT AND WHEN I CALLED GM AND CHEVY BACK I WAS TOLD SEVERAL TIMES SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME. I HAVE TRIED TO GET IT FIXED BUT NO ONE IS ABLE TO HELP. I HAVE TRIED MANY PLACES FOR USED FUEL TANKS BUT EVERYONE SAYS THAT THE ENVOYS AND TRAILBLAZERS THAT THEY HAVE ALL HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I CANNOT GET ANY HELP FROM GM OR CHEVY.
NHTSA ODI #10744125
114,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES CORRODED AND CAUSED A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 86. WHEN THE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, IT SPRAYED ALL OVER THE EXHAUST PIPES, WHICH CAUSED A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. DUE TO THE LOSS OF TRANSMISSI…
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THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES CORRODED AND CAUSED A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 86. WHEN THE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, IT SPRAYED ALL OVER THE EXHAUST PIPES, WHICH CAUSED A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. DUE TO THE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT CASED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION INTERNALS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650002
111,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline
STARTING ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT HAS REEKED OF UNSPENT GASOLINE, AND THIS SMELL CONSUMES THE ENTIRE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS SMALL LEAK BELOW RESERVOIR WHICH APPEARS TO BE LEAKING UNSPENT FUEL. CHEVY OFFERED A "SPECIAL COVERAGE" TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE (CORROSION ON TOP…
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STARTING ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT HAS REEKED OF UNSPENT GASOLINE, AND THIS SMELL CONSUMES THE ENTIRE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS SMALL LEAK BELOW RESERVOIR WHICH APPEARS TO BE LEAKING UNSPENT FUEL. CHEVY OFFERED A "SPECIAL COVERAGE" TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE (CORROSION ON TOP OF FUEL TANK RESERVOIR), HOWEVER IT ONLY COVERS VEHICLES UNDER 10 YEARS OF AGE AND UNDER 120K MILES. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER THAT MILEAGE, HOWEVER THIS REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE (MINE WAS ASSEMBLED IN MARCH). THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AS ANY SMALL SPARK COULD CAUSE THIS VEHICLE TO IGNITE. I CANNOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE, AND FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE IT CAUSES CATASTROPHIC LOSS (EITHER BUILDING OR PERSONAL). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628406
47,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityCrashInjury
WHEN HAD THE CRASH WHICH WAS VERY HARD LOUD AND SCARY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY NOR DID THE AIR BAGS ON THE SIDE OF SEAT. THE CRASH WAS VERY SERIOUS AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND POWERTRAIN TO WINDOWS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626575
150,000 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. STOPPED VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. SPEEDOMETER STARTED BUT WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 35 MPH. I HAD A GPS SPEEDOMETER ON MY PHONE AND IT WAS REGISTERING 55-60 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DISPLAY 25-30. AFTER A COOL NIGHT IT MIGHT WORK CORRECTLY FOR 4 OR 5 MILES THEN IT EITHER DROPS TO ZERO OR FALLS TO T…
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SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. STOPPED VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. SPEEDOMETER STARTED BUT WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 35 MPH. I HAD A GPS SPEEDOMETER ON MY PHONE AND IT WAS REGISTERING 55-60 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DISPLAY 25-30. AFTER A COOL NIGHT IT MIGHT WORK CORRECTLY FOR 4 OR 5 MILES THEN IT EITHER DROPS TO ZERO OR FALLS TO THE 10-25MPH RANGE. SOMETIMES RESTARTING THE VEHICLE WILL GET IT TO WORK AGAIN FOR A SHORT TIME. WHEN IT IS FAILING THE NEEDLE DROPS BELOW THE 0 MPH TOWARDS THE MILEAGE. WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING SOMEWHAT IT STOPS AT 0 MPH OR JUST ABOVE IT. THIS SHOULD REALLY BE A RECALL ! THANK YOU *TR
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
3
RQ17002 · 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.
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.
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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