NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
627 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Mar 13, 2011
Electrical System
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER ALL GAUGES, TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, BATTERY, FUEL, HAVE FAILED ONE AT A TIME STARTING WITH TACHOMETER NOT OPERATING AT ALL, TO SPEEDOMETER SPORADIC FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, NOW CURRENTLY STUCK AT OVER 120MPH. HAVE CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM AND THEY SAY IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL, THERE HAS …
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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER ALL GAUGES, TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, BATTERY, FUEL, HAVE FAILED ONE AT A TIME STARTING WITH TACHOMETER NOT OPERATING AT ALL, TO SPEEDOMETER SPORADIC FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, NOW CURRENTLY STUCK AT OVER 120MPH. HAVE CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM AND THEY SAY IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND WOULD BE APPROX. $1500 TO REPAIR. WHY IS GM NOT CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE? THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE TO BE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS WITH AN UNKNOWN FUEL LEVEL, ETC.---- ABSOLUTELY ABSURD!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10390008
89,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Electrical System
THE 2004 TRAILBLAZER HAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE RPM AND SPEEDOMETER GAUGE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A DEFECT THAT GM SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389717
54,000 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Electrical System
MY CAR HAS ONLY 54000 MILES ON IT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SHOT. THE DEALER WANTS $600 TO FIX IT. MY SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE , AND GAS GAUGE ONLY WORK MAYBE 10% OF THE TIME. IT IS JUST TERRIBLE THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET WHEN THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DETECTIVE PART. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT 120,00…
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MY CAR HAS ONLY 54000 MILES ON IT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SHOT. THE DEALER WANTS $600 TO FIX IT. MY SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE , AND GAS GAUGE ONLY WORK MAYBE 10% OF THE TIME. IT IS JUST TERRIBLE THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET WHEN THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DETECTIVE PART. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT 120,000MILES I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN UPSET. THAT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. OUTRAGEOUS. I FEEL TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386860
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2011
Electrical System
CLUSTER NOT WORKING IN 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. CHEVY RECALLED CLUSTERS IN OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES BUT NOT TRAILBLAZER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386312
6,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL LEVEL GAUGE, ODOMETER AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL MODULE FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL LEVEL GAUGE, ODOMETER AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL MODULE FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10386154
125,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRIAL BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE GAUGE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, THEY WOULD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRIAL BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE GAUGE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CLUSTER WITH AN UPDATED GAUGE CLUSTER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10386140
27,865 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Electrical System
THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY, 2011, WITH THE VOLTAGE GAUGE TAKING A FEW SECONDS TO COME UP TO FULL VOLTAGE, ACCOMPANIED BY DIM VEHICLE LIGHTS, AT START-UP. ON FEBRUARY 6, 2011, THE TEMPERATURE, AND ONE OTHER GAUGE, STARTED MOVING ERRATICALLY. THE NEXT DAY, FEBRUARY 7, ALL OF THE GAUGES POINTED STRAIGHT DOWN (6 O'CLOCK POSITION…
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THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY, 2011, WITH THE VOLTAGE GAUGE TAKING A FEW SECONDS TO COME UP TO FULL VOLTAGE, ACCOMPANIED BY DIM VEHICLE LIGHTS, AT START-UP. ON FEBRUARY 6, 2011, THE TEMPERATURE, AND ONE OTHER GAUGE, STARTED MOVING ERRATICALLY. THE NEXT DAY, FEBRUARY 7, ALL OF THE GAUGES POINTED STRAIGHT DOWN (6 O'CLOCK POSITION). RESEARCH SHOWED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL LINES, BUT GM IS SELECTIVELY REFUSING TO FIX TRAILBLAZERS, UNDER A RECALL. I VERIFIED THIS WITH THE DEALER. THE BATTERY WAS REMOVED FOR THREE HOURS AND A LOANER BATTERY INSTALLED. GAUGES WORKED PROPERLY. A BRAND NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED (AGAIN, AFTER THREE HOURS WITH NO BATTERY INSTALLED) ON FEBRUARY 10. AS OF FEBRUARY 28, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RE-OCCURRED, BUT RESEARCH SHOWS MANY INSTANCES OF THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRING AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW BATTERY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384788
96,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH, SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO A HIGHWAY CEMENT WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH, SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED INTO A HIGHWAY CEMENT WALL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT INDICATE THE CORRECT SPEED AT WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10384282
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2011
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NONE OF THE GAUGES FUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10383947
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2011
Electrical System
AT FIRST THE BATTERY GAUGE WENT. 2 WEEKS LATER THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND RPM GAUGE QUIT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ANOTHER 2 WEEKS LATER THE SPEEDOMETER GOT STUCK AND NOW IT READS IMPROPERLY. THE GAS GAUGE HAS NOW GONE. THAT WAS THE LAST GAUGE TO GO. THIS IS ON A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383880
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.
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