DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER JUMPED UP TO 100 MPH, THEN TO 120 MPH, THEN PAST 120 MPH. WHEN I CAME TO A STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE THE SPEEDOMETER READS 110 MPH. *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
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.
Electrical System complaints
627 reportsGAUGES STOP WORKING ON CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 2004. TACHOMETER,SPEEDOMETER,WATER PRESSURE GAUGE,FUEL GAUGE,OIL PRESSURE GAUGE,VOLTAGE GAUGE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON IT FROM GENERAL MOTORS. *TR
INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ON 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FAILING. STARTED WITH SPEEDOMETER NOT REGISTERING CORRECTLY AT AROUND 85,000 MILES. THEN TEMP GAUGE PEGGED OUT AT HOT RANGE, WHICH COST ME $200.00 AT DEALER TO REPLACE A "SENSOR" WHICH DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER GETTING WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 15,000 MILES CUL…
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INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ON 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FAILING. STARTED WITH SPEEDOMETER NOT REGISTERING CORRECTLY AT AROUND 85,000 MILES. THEN TEMP GAUGE PEGGED OUT AT HOT RANGE, WHICH COST ME $200.00 AT DEALER TO REPLACE A "SENSOR" WHICH DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER GETTING WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 15,000 MILES CULMINATING IN COMPLETE MALFUNCTION OF SPEEDOMETER AT 101,000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER NOW WILL NOT GO BELOW 40 WHILE STOPPED, AND WITH ANY SPEED QUICKLY REGISTERS 100 MPH; WHILE TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS (USING MY TACHOMETER BELOW 2000 RPMS) THE SPEEDOMETER IS PRACTICALLY PEGGED OUT AT MAX SPEED (> 125 MPH). NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M TRAVELING; I COULD BE SPEEDING OR I COULD BE GOING TOO SLOW WHICH IS A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL AS MYSELF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE STUCK ON 0. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, IT FUNTIONED CORRECTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE STUCK ON 0. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, IT FUNTIONED CORRECTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SPEED CLUSTER PROBLEM. *TR
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND THE SPEEDOMETER HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN TO THE POINT OF BEING COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER READ 120 MPH WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 55 MPH AND I WAS DRIVING WITH THE FLOW OF THE TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE SPEEDOMETER …
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND THE SPEEDOMETER HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN TO THE POINT OF BEING COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER READ 120 MPH WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 55 MPH AND I WAS DRIVING WITH THE FLOW OF THE TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE SPEEDOMETER STILL READ 50MPH. AS OF A MONTH AGO MY FUEL, OIL, BATTERY, AND TEMP GAUGE ARE ALL INOP; THE NEEDLES NEVER MOVE. WITH THIS MY BATTERY, SEATBELT, ABS, AND PARKING PARK STAY ILLUMINATED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING, HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE, IF MY CAR IS RUNNING HOT, I HAVE NO WARNING INDICATION OF ANYTHING GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. CAUSING THE DRIVER TO DRIVE AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE GAUGE WILL STICK AT 25MPH OR NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DRIVER HAS TO GUESS AT WHAT SPEEDS THEY ARE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY SO SOMETIMES THE SPEED IS CORRECTLY DISPLAYED AND MOST OF THE TIME IT IS INCORRECT. I CONTA…
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THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. CAUSING THE DRIVER TO DRIVE AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE GAUGE WILL STICK AT 25MPH OR NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DRIVER HAS TO GUESS AT WHAT SPEEDS THEY ARE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY SO SOMETIMES THE SPEED IS CORRECTLY DISPLAYED AND MOST OF THE TIME IT IS INCORRECT. I CONTACTED GM DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR OPTIONS AND THE PRICE FOR THE PART ALONE IS $400. I CONTACTED GM THEY TOLD ME NO RECALL OR "SPECIAL POLICY" COVERED MY VEHICLE. BUT THERE IS A "SPECIAL POLICY" FOR OTHER GM TRUCKS OF THE SAME YEAR. THE POLICY COVERS THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGE CLUSTER OR INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NUMBER IS BULLETIN NUMBER: 07187A. BEING UNABLE TO DRIVE AT KNOWN SPEEDS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 1.5 TO 2 YEARS AGO I NOTICED THAT I HAD ON AND OFF PROBLEMS WITH THE RPM GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE. THE OTHER GAUGES, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, STARTED TO FAIL AND NOW NONE OF THEM WORK AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NOT H…
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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 1.5 TO 2 YEARS AGO I NOTICED THAT I HAD ON AND OFF PROBLEMS WITH THE RPM GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE. THE OTHER GAUGES, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, STARTED TO FAIL AND NOW NONE OF THEM WORK AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY WORK DONE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE COST. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THAT GM HAS RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT HAVE NOT DONE IT WITH THE TRAILBLAZER. *TR
OIL PRESSURE GAUGE BECAME UNRELIABLE AND HAD DIFFERENT READING EACH TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN. MOST RECENTLY THE GAUGE NEEDLE MOVES PAST THE UPPER LIMITS OF THE GAUGE AND POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN AT THE FUEL GAUGE. TWO DAYS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ACTING IN THE SAME ERRATIC MANNER AND WILL GIVE VARIOUS READINGS INCLUDING EXCEEDIN…
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OIL PRESSURE GAUGE BECAME UNRELIABLE AND HAD DIFFERENT READING EACH TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN. MOST RECENTLY THE GAUGE NEEDLE MOVES PAST THE UPPER LIMITS OF THE GAUGE AND POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN AT THE FUEL GAUGE. TWO DAYS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ACTING IN THE SAME ERRATIC MANNER AND WILL GIVE VARIOUS READINGS INCLUDING EXCEEDING 120 MPH AND WILL POINT STRAIGHT DOWN AT THE STEERING COLUMN. IT MAY READ ANYWHERE FROM 30 MPH TO 75 MPH AT VARIOUS TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS OFF. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I AM NO LONGER TO CHECK MY SPEED IN COMPARISON TO SPEED LIMITS OR SPEED WARNING SIGNS WHEN IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN HE NOTICED ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WERE DISPLAYING IMPROPER READINGS. THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN HE NOTICED ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WERE DISPLAYING IMPROPER READINGS. THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
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.
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