IllustrationTHE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING TODAY. I CHECKED ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THERE IS A LOT OF US ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR THAT WE ALL HAVE TO PAY $500 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IF WE ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Trailblazer years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 87.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trailblazer 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
880–25K
16325–50K
27450–75K
17675–100K
137100–150K
61150K+
899 reports with mileage · 182 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 627 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
56 crash reports31 fire reports47 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
627 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT WOULD FUNCTION WERE THE FOG LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT WOULD FUNCTION WERE THE FOG LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
DASHBOARD GAUGES ON OUR 2004 TRAILBLAZER HAVE BEEN FAILING ONE BY ONE. NO GAUGES EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER HAVE BEEN OPERABLE FOR MANY MONTHS. NOW, ON FRIDAY 11/11/11, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING! THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT MUST BE CAUSED BY THE SAME ISSUES AS THE IDENTICAL WELL-PUBLICIZED PROBLEMS ON OTHER TRA…
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DASHBOARD GAUGES ON OUR 2004 TRAILBLAZER HAVE BEEN FAILING ONE BY ONE. NO GAUGES EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER HAVE BEEN OPERABLE FOR MANY MONTHS. NOW, ON FRIDAY 11/11/11, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING! THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT MUST BE CAUSED BY THE SAME ISSUES AS THE IDENTICAL WELL-PUBLICIZED PROBLEMS ON OTHER TRAILBLAZERS. IN ADDITION, SOME OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (SEATBELT LIGHT, ETC.) REMAIN ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME. CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMMEDIATE REPAIRS AT NO COST TO US, THE OWNER. THANK YOU. *TR
GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE IS SHOWING AN INCORRECT SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING, THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE STICKS OR STOPS WORKING, THE FUEL GAUGE FLUTTERS OR THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GIVE IMPROPER READINGS. THEY FAILED WHILST I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. *TR
INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE: OWNER STATES THAT INSTRUMENT/GAUGE PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL AT OR ABOUT 39,000 MILES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 38' F DEGREES, THAT SAME YEAR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS SPEED GAUGE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION FOLLOWED BY ALL OTHER GAUGES(RPM,GAS,TEMP) AT 50,000 MILES, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. CURR…
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INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE: OWNER STATES THAT INSTRUMENT/GAUGE PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL AT OR ABOUT 39,000 MILES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 38' F DEGREES, THAT SAME YEAR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS SPEED GAUGE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION FOLLOWED BY ALL OTHER GAUGES(RPM,GAS,TEMP) AT 50,000 MILES, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. CURRENTLY THERE IS A TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL GAUGES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE EITHER INOPERABLE OR WOULD READ INACCURATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE EITHER INOPERABLE OR WOULD READ INACCURATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING FAN CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL IT REACHED LEVEL FOUR OF THE FIVE SETTINGS. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
SINCE PURCHASING OUR BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS NUMEROUS OF TIMES INCLUDING THE SOCKETS FOR EACH SIDE. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. OR WE CAN SIMPLY TAP IT AND IT WILL GO OUT/COME ON. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE BULB ON THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED TWICE! WE HAVE SPECULA…
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SINCE PURCHASING OUR BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS NUMEROUS OF TIMES INCLUDING THE SOCKETS FOR EACH SIDE. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. OR WE CAN SIMPLY TAP IT AND IT WILL GO OUT/COME ON. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE BULB ON THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED TWICE! WE HAVE SPECULATED THAT THE WIRES ARE LOOSE BUT WHEN INSPECTED, THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE CASE. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT THE SHOP (NOT CHEVY THEY COST TOO MUCH) AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING MORE THAN A BURNT BULB. WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD THAT WAS NOT WELL LIT AT ABOUT 10P WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER PULLING OVER & DECIDING THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT HOME WAS TO DRIVE WITH MY FLASHERS ON, I CONTINUED MY WAY HOME. HALF WAY HOME THEY CAME BACK ON BUT BEFORE I GOT HOME THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? AGAIN, I WOULD SAY IT'S A LOOSE WIRE, BUT WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THAT ON BOTH SIDES? NOW,TONIGHT, WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING (11P) WITH 2 FRIENDS WITH HIM, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT; BUT CAME BACK ON. MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FLICKER, LIKE THEY ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER/TOO MUCH. I HAVE CALLED A LOCAL DEALER & AM TOLD THEY CAN RUN A TEST TO SEE WHAT THEY FIND. THAT WOULD BE GREAT, IF I HAD THE CASH FLOW FOR IT; AS IT'S NOT CHEAP JUST FOR THEM TO "RUN" THE TEST NOT FIX IT...THAT WILL COST EXTRA. I AM NOT SURE HOW CHEVY FEELS THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS? IF YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MY ISSUE IS PLEASE TELL ME SO THAT I CAN HAVE SOME ONE I CAN AFFORD TO PAY, FIX IT. BUYING BULBS IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES IF THAT WAS THE ONLY ISSUE. BUT FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT'S AN ISSUE! I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU, CHEVY, REALIZE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE & REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE GAUGES WERE FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE GAUGES WERE FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,279.
Official recalls
205V198000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
May 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
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
4RQ17002 · 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.
PE04032 · Brake Lamp Failure
Opened Apr 6, 2004 · Closed Aug 3, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002-04 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES.GM REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES SHARING THIS PLATFORM AND BRAKE LAMP DESIGN ARE THE MY 2002-2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT; GMC ENVOY, XL, XUV; OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND 2004 BUICK RAINIER.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMP DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.THERE IS NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT ONE OR MORE BRAKE LAMPS BULBS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.GM FOUND THAT HEAT FROM THE BULB COULD DEFORM THE LAMP SOCKET, PRODUCE ELECTRICAL ARCING AND AN INOPERATIVE BULB.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, GM CHANGED THE BULB TO A BULB THAT TRANSMITS LESS HEAT TO THE SOCKET AND CHANGED THE SOCKET TO A THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER TO IMPROVE THERMAL STABILITY.THESE CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED INTO PRODUCTION VEHICLES ON OCTOBER 1, 2003.GM IMPLEMENTED A SPECIAL POLICY BY NOTIFYING CONSUMERS THAT IF THEY SHOULD EXPERIENCE A BRAKE LAMP FAILURE TO GO TO THEIR GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CIRCUIT BOARD CONTAINING THE BRAKE LAMP REPLACED ALONG WITH NEW BULBS.THIS POLICY IS GOOD FOR THE FIRST 6 YEARS OR 72,000 MILES OF THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.ODI WILL UPGRADE THIS INVESTIGATION TO EA 04-021 AND INCLUDE THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLES.