IllustrationTHE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OWNERS OF TRAILBLAZERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
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 reportsI HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER EXT AND A 2004 CREW CAB SILVERADO. BOTH OF MY SPEEDOMETER ARE STICKING ON BOTH VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE WEB IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY. *JB
VEHICLE SWITCHING INTO 4WD/AWD ON ITS OWN - MALFUNCTION TOOK VEHICLE IN BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO SWITCH INTO AWD AND 4WD ON ITS OWN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ENTIRE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN SWITCHING (ON ITS OWN) FROM 2HI TO AWD. CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND PROBLEM IN TRANSFER CASE MODULE. THEY REPLACED MODULE…
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VEHICLE SWITCHING INTO 4WD/AWD ON ITS OWN - MALFUNCTION TOOK VEHICLE IN BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO SWITCH INTO AWD AND 4WD ON ITS OWN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ENTIRE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN SWITCHING (ON ITS OWN) FROM 2HI TO AWD. CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND PROBLEM IN TRANSFER CASE MODULE. THEY REPLACED MODULE AND PROGRAM. VEHICLE 4WD MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. VEHICLE TRYING TO SWITCH INTO 4WD AND AWD ON ITS OWN. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED ENCODER MOTOR. VEHICLE IS STILL SWITCHING INTO 4WD AND AWD RANDOMLY. I WILL TAKE IT IN AGAIN. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE UNDER 43000 MILES ON VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS MANY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *JB
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I AM SUBMITTING ABOUT THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I JUST WANTED TO INCLUDE SOME LINKS TO CUSTOMER DISCUSSION FORUMS, IN WHICH YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS SPEEDOMETER IS A BIG PROBLEM. GM TRIES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND MOST CUSTOMERS HAVE NO OUTLET TO VENT THEIR PROBLEMS, OUTSIDE OF THE DEALER…
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THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I AM SUBMITTING ABOUT THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I JUST WANTED TO INCLUDE SOME LINKS TO CUSTOMER DISCUSSION FORUMS, IN WHICH YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS SPEEDOMETER IS A BIG PROBLEM. GM TRIES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND MOST CUSTOMERS HAVE NO OUTLET TO VENT THEIR PROBLEMS, OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP WHO IS TRYING TO HIDE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE DISCUSSIONS AND YOU WILL SEE HOW GM IS IGNORING THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-AVALANCHE/TJI11LGM9554MERNA HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0FB75B. *NM
AT APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER STARTED ACTING FUNNY. AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES IT STARTED TO GET STUCK. AT 45,000 MILES IT STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. IT IS NOW STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION POINTING TOWARD THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS CHEVY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS AND HAVE V…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER STARTED ACTING FUNNY. AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES IT STARTED TO GET STUCK. AT 45,000 MILES IT STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. IT IS NOW STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION POINTING TOWARD THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS CHEVY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS AND HAVE VISITED A NUMBER OF ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUPS AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH. *NM
AT 40,000 MILES MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER'S SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING- AT 120 MPH AND HAS BEEN STUCK THERE FOR A WEEK. *JB
ONCE IN A WHILE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE RAOD THE REAR HATCH WINDOW POPS OPEN. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IN THE PAST YEAR IT HAS HAPPEN FOUR TIMES. TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ADJUSTED, BUT WOULD NOT LOCK IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER. ON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TILT RACK WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. INTERMITTENT ENGINE STALLING SINCE NEW. MANY SERVICE VISITS TO CHEVY DEALERS TO FIX, HOWEVER MECHANICS STUMPED. LOCAL GAS STATION MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM HAVING TO DO WITH COMPONENTS IN THE EMISSION CONTROL / VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. NOW CHEVY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT THE CURE. IN THE MEANTIME I GET TO DR…
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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. INTERMITTENT ENGINE STALLING SINCE NEW. MANY SERVICE VISITS TO CHEVY DEALERS TO FIX, HOWEVER MECHANICS STUMPED. LOCAL GAS STATION MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM HAVING TO DO WITH COMPONENTS IN THE EMISSION CONTROL / VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. NOW CHEVY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT THE CURE. IN THE MEANTIME I GET TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON. I GUESS THIS IS BETTER THAN BEING CRASHED BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION OR ON THE HIGHWAY. CHEVY MECHANICS AND ENGINEERS NEED TO GET THE "DUH" AWARD. VERY BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED BY CHEVY. I WOULD STILL LIKE TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF, AND HAVE THE ENGINE NOT STALL IF THAT IS POSSIBLE. PLEASE SEND INFO TO HAVE THIS DONE IF POSSIBLE. *JB
I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER PROBLEM THE SPEEDOMETER IS MEASURING INCORRECT SPEED OR NOT WORKING AT ALL. I CAN BE PARKED AND IT READS 60 MPH I AM DRIVING IT READS 120 MPH. IN SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL GM OWNERS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH QUITE A FEW GM VEHICLES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO…
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I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER PROBLEM THE SPEEDOMETER IS MEASURING INCORRECT SPEED OR NOT WORKING AT ALL. I CAN BE PARKED AND IT READS 60 MPH I AM DRIVING IT READS 120 MPH. IN SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL GM OWNERS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH QUITE A FEW GM VEHICLES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. IT IS VERY SCARY NOT TO KNOW WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING AT. IN SPEAKING TO SEVERAL OWNERS AND LOOKING AT WEB SITES OF COMPLAINTS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN ONE FOR A LONG TIME. I DO NOT BLAME MY DEALER I BLAME CHEVROLET OR GM WHOEVER MADE THE CAR THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SPEEDOMETER WITH OTHER MAKES FROM GM, ITS NOT THE DEALERS FAULT FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM
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.