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2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY TRAILBLAZER HAS STALLED (CUT OFF) NOW 4 TIMES AND IT IS GETTING OLD AND UNSAFE. WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN I-95 AND IT CUTS OFF. IMAGINE HAVING NO POWERING STEERING AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE YOU GET HIT GOING 70 MPH! AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT TAKE IT BACK OR HELP WITH A TRADE! I MAY CONTACT THE PAPERS AND HAVE SOMEO…

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MY TRAILBLAZER HAS STALLED (CUT OFF) NOW 4 TIMES AND IT IS GETTING OLD AND UNSAFE. WHEN YOU ARE GOING DOWN I-95 AND IT CUTS OFF. IMAGINE HAVING NO POWERING STEERING AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE YOU GET HIT GOING 70 MPH! AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT TAKE IT BACK OR HELP WITH A TRADE! I MAY CONTACT THE PAPERS AND HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS!! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167754

3,900 miles · Aug 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

01/27/04,09/28/05,11/18/05 TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHTS, 04/26/06 TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR METALLIC RATTLE SOUND SUSPECTING HEAT SHIELD ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DEALERSHIP STATED FRONT BACKING PLATES WERE CONTACTING STEERING KNUCKLE. 04/21/06 BEGAN DRIVE FROM OKC, OK TO VANOUVER, WASHINGTON, MIDTRIP NOTED SAME NOISE. …

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01/27/04,09/28/05,11/18/05 TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHTS, 04/26/06 TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR METALLIC RATTLE SOUND SUSPECTING HEAT SHIELD ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DEALERSHIP STATED FRONT BACKING PLATES WERE CONTACTING STEERING KNUCKLE. 04/21/06 BEGAN DRIVE FROM OKC, OK TO VANOUVER, WASHINGTON, MIDTRIP NOTED SAME NOISE. ON TRIP NOISE BECAME EXTREMELY LOUDER. STOPPED AT CHEYENNE WY DEALERSHIP COULDN'T GET APPT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. HUSBAND REMOVED HEAT SHIELD IN EVANSTON WY ON 8/23 AND DISCOVERED CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. 41000 MILES ON VEHICLE. 2 DEALERSHIPS IN EVANSTON WY WOULD NOT TOUCH US FOR SEVERAL DAYS. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE WHO CONTACTED DEALERSHIP IN SLC,UT WHO WOULD LOOK AT VEHICLE. DROVE THERE BUT BECAUSE OVER 36K, WARRANTY DID NOT COVER AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY AND COULD NOT FIX SAME DAY. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP IN VANCOUVER WA UPON RETURN AND THEY ARE TRYING TO REPAIR BUT HAVE NOW DISCOVERED 3 CRACKED HEAD BOLTS IN ADDITION TO CRACKED MANIFOLD. REFUSING TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IN FOR PREVIOUSLY. HAVE ADMITTED TO NOT ADDRESSING HEAT SHIELD AT ALL IN APRIL. EXTREME STRESS, INCONVENIENCED AND WORRY ON VACATION. NO ETA ON REPAIRS. HAVE REQUESTED ALL PARTS TO BE RETAINED FOR INVESTIGATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10166790

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

(1) FUEL SENSOR WENT BAD ON MY '04 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT LS 4WD 4.2 LITER V6 ENGINE WHICH HAS (26,000 MILES ON IT - EXCELLENT CONDITION), THEREBY (2) CAUSING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BECOME CONGESTED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER FOR USE AND TOWING ON THE VEHICLE. (3) TOLD BY THE DEALER WHERE VEHICLE PURCHASED THAT THIS ITEM IS NOT AV…

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(1) FUEL SENSOR WENT BAD ON MY '04 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT LS 4WD 4.2 LITER V6 ENGINE WHICH HAS (26,000 MILES ON IT - EXCELLENT CONDITION), THEREBY (2) CAUSING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BECOME CONGESTED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER FOR USE AND TOWING ON THE VEHICLE. (3) TOLD BY THE DEALER WHERE VEHICLE PURCHASED THAT THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR CONSUMER USE BY GM PARTS AND SERVICE. TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 3 MONTHS FOR ITEM TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ON A LEASED VEHICLE. PAYING TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE VEHICLE TO FULL POTENTIAL. MAJOR LOSS. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH GM SERVICE. HOWEVER, I WAS OFFERED A RENTAL VEHICLE TO DRIVE FOR THIS TIME PERIOD THAT IS NOT EQUIVALENT TO MY OWN VEHICLE. THIS WAS FINALLY OFFERED AFTER ARGUING WITH GM REPRESENTATIVE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10166212

37,060 miles · Aug 18, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED A NEAR MISS WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER TRAVELING BEHIND ME. CAUSE WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT. OXYGEN SENSOR ALSO FAILED, THIS IS THE SECOND ONE REPLACED. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 4 MONTHS AND ONLY PUT 5000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN…

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TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED A NEAR MISS WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER TRAVELING BEHIND ME. CAUSE WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT. OXYGEN SENSOR ALSO FAILED, THIS IS THE SECOND ONE REPLACED. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 4 MONTHS AND ONLY PUT 5000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE CHEVY GARAGE FOR 10 DAYS NOW, CHEVY SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND A CONVERTER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165904

40,345 miles · Aug 12, 2006
Visibility

2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT- WINDSHIELD WASHER UNIT WILL NOT TURN OFF, EVEN WITH IGNITION TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED. HAD TO REMOVE FUSE TO SHUT THE SYSTEM DOWN. CERTAIN 2003 TRAILBLAZER MODELS HAD RECALL FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165300

46,000 miles · Jul 26, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP A DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #10163494

24,000 miles · Jun 23, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLS AT VARIOUS TIMES FOR NO REASON. HAVE HAD IT INTO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ISOLATE PROBLEM. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AFTER FIRST STALL. DEALERSHIP RESET COMPUTER. SINCE THEN, THE ENGINE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. SES LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON. ENGINE USUALLY RESTARTS AF…

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ENGINE STALLS AT VARIOUS TIMES FOR NO REASON. HAVE HAD IT INTO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ISOLATE PROBLEM. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AFTER FIRST STALL. DEALERSHIP RESET COMPUTER. SINCE THEN, THE ENGINE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. SES LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON. ENGINE USUALLY RESTARTS AFTER APPROX 5 MINUTES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10160600

39,000 miles · May 21, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND, SOMETIMES WHEN AT A STOP IT STALLS BEFORE TAKING OFF, SOMETIMES RPM BOTTOMS OUT. 4 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY USED ABOUT 3 OR 4 TIMES, EACH TIME IT STALLED BEFORE GOING INTO 4 WHEEL THEN WOULD NOT COME OUT OF 4 WHEEL FOR ABOUT 2 OR 3 MINUTES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157968

24,100 miles · Feb 7, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainFire

FULL DESTRUCTION BECAUSE OF FIRE I WAS ON THE WAY BACK FROM A LONG TRIP IN SOUTHERN CHILE (UP TO USHUAIA) OVER THE "CARRETERA AUSTRAL" AND, AFTER ABOUT 9'000 KM DRIVE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, I SAW A WHITE SMOKE BACK MY VEHICLE. OIL PRESSURE: NORMAL, MOTOR TEMPERATURE: NORMAL. THIS MEANT IMMEDIATE STOP ALONG THE "RUTA 40 NORTE" IN A…

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FULL DESTRUCTION BECAUSE OF FIRE I WAS ON THE WAY BACK FROM A LONG TRIP IN SOUTHERN CHILE (UP TO USHUAIA) OVER THE "CARRETERA AUSTRAL" AND, AFTER ABOUT 9'000 KM DRIVE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, I SAW A WHITE SMOKE BACK MY VEHICLE. OIL PRESSURE: NORMAL, MOTOR TEMPERATURE: NORMAL. THIS MEANT IMMEDIATE STOP ALONG THE "RUTA 40 NORTE" IN ARGENTINA (ABOUT 100 KM NORTH OF BARILOCHE, ON THE WAY TO NEUQU). WHILE STOPPING, I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST GOING WITHOUT IMMEDIATE REACTION BUT THE PRESSION CAME BACK. WHILE BRINGING THE GEAR SHIFT TO POSITION PARKING, I DID NOT FEEL ANY SENSATION, AS IF IT WOULD HAVE NO CONNECTION; THE AUTOMATIC DOOR BLOCKER CONNECTED TO THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT WORK TOO, SO THAT WE HAD TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. AFTER HAVING DISCONNECTED THE ENGINE, I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE MOTOR. I OPENED THE CAPOT AND THE SMOKE CAME FROM THE LEFT CORNER (CLOSE TO THE DRIVER'S PLACE). SUDDENLY, SOME MATERIAL IN FLAMES FELL TO THE BOTTOM, ABOUT MIDDLE LIGHT LEFT OF THE CAR. I TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITH THE EXTINGUISHER, BUT OTHER BURNING MATERIAL FELL. OTHER PEOPLE HAD STOPPED AND HELPED ME. WE PUSHED THE CAR A LITTLE AHEAD - THOUGH THE HAND BRAKE WAS TIED AND THE GEAR SHIFT ON "P", BUT BURNING MATERIAL FELL AGAIN. IN THE MEANTIME, MY WIFE AND CHILDREN THROW OUT THE LUGGAGE, SO THAT WE COULD SAVE ALMOST ALL OF IT. BUT THE CAR BURNED ENTIRELY. WHAT COULD BE THE REASON OF THIS INCIDENT ? THANKS GOD, I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY SO THAT NOBODY WAS INJURED NOR BURNED AND NO THIRD PARTY SUFFERED ANY DAMAGE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149632

2,000 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Electrical System

THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET, JUST ONE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN. MY VEHICLE I BELIEVE HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHICH IN TURN AFFECT ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE, SAFETY BEING ONE. I HAVE HAD (2) FAN SWITCHES GO BAD (2) CRANKSHAFT SENSORS GO BAD. (1) CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. (1) TURN SIGNAL RELAY (1) RADIO CONSOLE…

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THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET, JUST ONE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN. MY VEHICLE I BELIEVE HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHICH IN TURN AFFECT ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE, SAFETY BEING ONE. I HAVE HAD (2) FAN SWITCHES GO BAD (2) CRANKSHAFT SENSORS GO BAD. (1) CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. (1) TURN SIGNAL RELAY (1) RADIO CONSOLE REPLACED FOR OVERHEATING (1) HEADLIGHTS WHEN BELOW 32 DEGREES FLUCUATE IN BRIGHTNESS TILL VEHICLE WARMS UP. DEALER STATED THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. HA,HA, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS (1)THEY REPROGRAMED COMPUTER TO SOLVE, NEXT SOME SOLINOID REPLACED AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 6 THAT I HAVE IN THE VEHICLE 90 % OF TIME. I NOW HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE WIRING MUST HAVE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE A FIRE, OR AN ACCIDENT DUE TO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT OR ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS OR TAILLIGHTS, ETC. GM REFUSES TO REPLACE WIRING IN VEHICLE. GM REP TOLD ME TO CONTACT WHOEVER I WANTED TO. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO STAND BEHIND FIXING THE PROBLEM. JUST KEEP REPLACING THE ELECTRICAL ITEMS AS THEY GO BAD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143058

Official recalls

1

04V527000 · 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

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.

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.