NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
627 reportsClear category filter96,000 miles · Nov 25, 2008
Electrical System
IN AUGUST 2008 MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. IT WOULD NOT WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. BY OCTOBER IT QUIT WORKING AT ALL. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED SOME POWER SURGES THAT SEEM TO AFFECT THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. I ALSO HAD TO PROBLEM COMMENTED ON BY SEVERAL PEOPLE WIT…
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IN AUGUST 2008 MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. IT WOULD NOT WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. BY OCTOBER IT QUIT WORKING AT ALL. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED SOME POWER SURGES THAT SEEM TO AFFECT THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. I ALSO HAD TO PROBLEM COMMENTED ON BY SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS GOING OUT. I CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND THEY WERE IN WORKING ORDER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE BULBS WERE BLOWN AND REPLACED THEM. I QUESTIONED THAT STATEMENT SOMEWHAT BECAUSE I HAD REPLACE ONE OF THE BULBS NOT A MONTH EARLIER. THE LIGHTS HAVE WORKED FINE SINCE EXCEPT FOR POWER SURGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249771
70,000 miles · Nov 18, 2008
Electrical System
MY SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING, I CHECKED MY SPEED ONLY TO REALIZE THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING. A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. NOW THE NONE OF THE GAUGES (SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER , ECT.) ARE WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249137
41,000 miles · Oct 23, 2008
Electrical System
INSTEAD OF POINTING TO THE SPEED I WAS GOING, THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE KEPT MOVING A LITTLE TO EACH SIDE. NOW IT READS CONSISTENTLY TOO HIGH, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOING. I'VE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, WHICH SAY THAT GM WON'T ADMIT IT'S A DEFECT, AND I CAN EXPECT OTHER GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (TACHOME…
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INSTEAD OF POINTING TO THE SPEED I WAS GOING, THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE KEPT MOVING A LITTLE TO EACH SIDE. NOW IT READS CONSISTENTLY TOO HIGH, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOING. I'VE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, WHICH SAY THAT GM WON'T ADMIT IT'S A DEFECT, AND I CAN EXPECT OTHER GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ETC.) TO BREAK, TOO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246470
75,000 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STICK. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED CHEVY THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED FOR THIS "SPECIAL POLICY". *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246345
60,000 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS, IT SHUTS OFF AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STOP WORKING. IN ADDITION, IT TAKES 4 TO 5 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MANUFACTURER TO COURT F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS, IT SHUTS OFF AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STOP WORKING. IN ADDITION, IT TAKES 4 TO 5 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MANUFACTURER TO COURT FOR NOT MAKING THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10246141
55,000 miles · Oct 14, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE OWNED MY TRAILBLAZER FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS. IN THE LAST YEAR MY GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, I DON'T KNOW IF IT OVER HEATS BECAUSE IT IS STUCK IN THE HOT, I DON'T KNOW IF MY OIL PRESSURE IS TO HIGH AND IF MY MOTOR WILL BLOW UP. IT ONLY HAS 66,800 MILES ON IT. FROM WHAT I HEARD GM SAYS IT IS NO…
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I HAVE OWNED MY TRAILBLAZER FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS. IN THE LAST YEAR MY GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, I DON'T KNOW IF IT OVER HEATS BECAUSE IT IS STUCK IN THE HOT, I DON'T KNOW IF MY OIL PRESSURE IS TO HIGH AND IF MY MOTOR WILL BLOW UP. IT ONLY HAS 66,800 MILES ON IT. FROM WHAT I HEARD GM SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM, BUT YET THEY ISSUED RECALLS FOR DASH CLUSTERS FOR OTHER MODELS FOR THE SAME EXACT REASON. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED, IT IS A DEFECT THAT GM SHOULD OWN UP TO. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE GAUGES DON'T WORK FOR ME TO KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND LEAVES ME AND MY FAMILY SETTING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. PLUS I CAN'T EVEN TRADE AND GET THE VALUE OUT OF IT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. ALL IN ALL SOMEBODY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FORCE GM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY MADE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245476
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND NOTICE THAT MY SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER APPEARED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. I GOT TO A STOP SIGN AND STOPPED. MY SPEEDOMETER ONLY WENT DOWN TO 30 NEVER DOWN TO ZERO AT A COMPLETE STOP. AS I STARTED THROUGH A INTERSECTION MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 30 TO A 120 ON A RURAL COUNTRY R…
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND NOTICE THAT MY SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER APPEARED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. I GOT TO A STOP SIGN AND STOPPED. MY SPEEDOMETER ONLY WENT DOWN TO 30 NEVER DOWN TO ZERO AT A COMPLETE STOP. AS I STARTED THROUGH A INTERSECTION MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 30 TO A 120 ON A RURAL COUNTRY ROAD. AT THE NEXT STOP SIGN THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED AT 120. AS I PROCEEDED, THE SPEEDOMETER WENT COMPLETELY AROUND AND STOPPED WHERE THE TRIP MILES ARE LOCATED. I NEVER KNEW THROUGH THE REST OF MY TRIP TO WORK EXACTLY HOW FAST I WAS REALLY GOING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242200
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2008
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, IT SHOWED I WAS DOING 35 MPH SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. I HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON TO GET THE SPEEDOMETER TO DROP BACK DOWN, WHICH IT DID IN 5MPH INCREMENTS. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE SHOWING EMPTY WHEN IT IS FULL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241422
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2008
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 04 TRAILBLAZER STARTED ACTING CRAZY. ONE MINUTE IT WAS READING FINE, THEN SAID I WAS GOING 100 MPH. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT ALL THEY HAVE TO SAY IS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALLS YET. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING GM ON THIS PROBLEM BUT SEEM TO GET NO WHERE. THE SERVICE GUY …
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THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 04 TRAILBLAZER STARTED ACTING CRAZY. ONE MINUTE IT WAS READING FINE, THEN SAID I WAS GOING 100 MPH. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT ALL THEY HAVE TO SAY IS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALLS YET. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING GM ON THIS PROBLEM BUT SEEM TO GET NO WHERE. THE SERVICE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE HEFTY 500-600 BILL. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE OUT THERE, I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. WHY ARE THEY BEING LAZY? SOMEONE COULD REALLY GET HURT, OR EVEN GET TICKETED FOR NOT KNOWING HOW FAST THEY ARE GOING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY TRUCK LIKE THIS SINCE MARCH 08. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240555
32,000 miles · Aug 29, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IN FEBRUARY 08. IT ONLY HAD 23,000 MILES ON IT. WITH IN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS I HAD IT MY GAUGES STARTED GOING CRAZY. THEY WERE JUMPING AROUND ALL OVER THE PLACE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME. FORTUNATELY I MUST HAVE COMPLAINED ENOUGH AND TO THE R…
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I PURCHASED A USED 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IN FEBRUARY 08. IT ONLY HAD 23,000 MILES ON IT. WITH IN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS I HAD IT MY GAUGES STARTED GOING CRAZY. THEY WERE JUMPING AROUND ALL OVER THE PLACE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME. FORTUNATELY I MUST HAVE COMPLAINED ENOUGH AND TO THE RIGHT PERSON BECAUSE IT WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO MY SELF. I NOW AM HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING AND TRYING TO STALL. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. EVERYDAY UPON START UP IT IDLES VERY ROUGH AND IT TRIES TO STALL FOR A GOOD 10 MINUTES. IF I DON'T LET IT SIT AND IDLE BEFORE I DRIVE IT TENDS TO STALL. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLICKER AT LEAST ONCE A DAY AND EVERY FEW DAYS MY REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT WILL FLICKER. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ANYMORE. WHAT IF I AM TRAVELING AND MY CAR STALLS AND I LOSE CONTROL AND FROM READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM AT RISK FOR MY AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PCM, I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT!!!!! WHY SHOULD I HAVE TOO? I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHY IS THEIR NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT? WHY SHOULD US AS CONSUMER ALREADY PAYING ENOUGH FOR THESE VEHICLES BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240160
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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