IllustrationWHEN HEADLAMP BURNED OUT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR THAT THE BULB PLUGS INTO HAD BURNED AND MELTED. *NM
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
101 reportsI OWN A 2004 TRAILBRAZER THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE GM RECALL ON LOSE BRAKE-LAMP FUNCTION OR HAVE BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ALWAYS ON. ON VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THAT FUNCTION ALSO BECOMES INOPERATIVE. . THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CONTACTED GM TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ISSUE AFTER RECEIVING TH…
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I OWN A 2004 TRAILBRAZER THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE GM RECALL ON LOSE BRAKE-LAMP FUNCTION OR HAVE BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ALWAYS ON. ON VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THAT FUNCTION ALSO BECOMES INOPERATIVE. . THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CONTACTED GM TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ISSUE AFTER RECEIVING THREE COMPLAINTS, AND THE COMPANY ISSUED THE RECALL IN RESPONSE, ADLER SAID. *NM
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS DIM AND HEADLIGHTS DIM AT THE SAME TIME. THE LIGHTS THEN IMMEDIATELY FLICKER BACK TO NORMAL NIGHTTIME LIGHTS. IT APPEARS THEY ARE FLICKERING BETWEEN DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME SETTINGS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL ACTIVITY. NO CAUSE HAS BEEN DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY.*AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS DIM VERY LOW TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE. DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME. DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALSO GO VERY LOW. VEHICLE TAKEN IN TO DEALERSHIP IN APRIL. TECH SAYS CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CAR TAKEN IN AGAIN THIS TIME CD PLAYER WILL STOP PLAYING IF VOLUME IS TURNED ALL THE WAY DOWN FOR MORE THAT 2 MINS. I…
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WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS DIM VERY LOW TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE. DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME. DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALSO GO VERY LOW. VEHICLE TAKEN IN TO DEALERSHIP IN APRIL. TECH SAYS CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CAR TAKEN IN AGAIN THIS TIME CD PLAYER WILL STOP PLAYING IF VOLUME IS TURNED ALL THE WAY DOWN FOR MORE THAT 2 MINS. IN ORDER TO MAKE IT PLAY AGAIN YOU HAVE TO EJECT CD AND REINSERT. RADIO WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ORDERED NEVER RECEIVED IT. CAR TAKEN IN AGAIN THIS TIME DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP FOUND PROBLEM WITH RADIO AND IT WAS REPLACED ASKED FOR THEM TO CHECK HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS. THEY ALSO CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP CD PLAYERS STOPS PLAY AGAIN. SEPT 28, 2005 WHILE AT BANK DRIVE THROUGH CAR STALLS OUT, ABLE TO RESTART CAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TOLD THEM ABOUT THE STALLING OUT, HEADLIGHTS, AND CD PLAYER. AFTER HAVING MY CAR THERE A WEEK AND 3 DAYS THERE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE STALLING OUT WAS BECAUSE THE WAS CARBON BUILD UP IN THROTTLE BODY THIS WAS CLEANED OUT. MY CAR HAS 19,000 MILES AND IS A YEAR OLD I DON;T BELIEVE THIS IS THE PROBLEM. WHILE THERE A NEW CD PLAYER WAS PUT IN, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONE THAT WAS REPLACED BEFORE WAS A REFURBISHED ONE AND IT DIDN'T SURPRISE THEM THAT IT DIDN'T WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE CRAZY AT FIRST AND THEN AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE HAS CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS WHICH MEANS WE HAVE A 2ND AIR INTAKE ON IT THAT CAUSES THE ALTERNATOR TO DRAIN CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO DIM. GM HAS TOLD US THIS IS NORMAL!!!!!! I AM SORRY I AM NOT WILLING TO PUT MY FAMILY LIVES ON THE LINE BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO BUY A NEW CAR IN VIRGINIA THAT WAS MADE IN CALIFORNIA. I LEAVE IN A RURAL AREA NOT THE CITY SO IF I LOSE MY HEADLIGHTS THEN THAT MEANS I CAN'T SEE. THIS DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO THEM. WE DO HAVE A MEETING IN NOV WITH THE NORTHERN AREA MANAGER. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL OPERATION OF A CAR NOR SHOULD IT BE DESIGNED TO DO THIS. *NM
MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED AT LEAST 8 INSTANCES IN MY AREA WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE TRAILBLAZER DON'T WORK. THE 3RD LIGHT ON TOP OF THE LIFT GATE WORKS, BUT THE REGULAR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN BOTH OF THEM NOT WORKING. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT ISN'T J…
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MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED AT LEAST 8 INSTANCES IN MY AREA WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE TRAILBLAZER DON'T WORK. THE 3RD LIGHT ON TOP OF THE LIFT GATE WORKS, BUT THE REGULAR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN BOTH OF THEM NOT WORKING. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT ISN'T JUST A BULB BEING BURNT OUT. I HAVE LUCKILY NOT WITNESSED ANY ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM THIS ISSUE, BUT MY FATHER OWNS A TRAILBLAZER AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG ELECTRICALLY CAUSING THIS PROBLEM I DON'T WANT THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN TO HIS RESULTING IN HIM POTENTIALLY BEING REAR ENDED. I SAW ONE ON I94 JUST EAST OF I696 YESTERDAY. I NOTIFIED THE WOMAN AND SHE SAID THAT SHE KNEW SO HOPEFULLY IT IS JUST THE BULBS, BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. *NM
I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE BACK OF MY CAR 3 TIMES AND ASKED THE AGENCY TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PART OR CASING AFTER I FOUND A RECALL THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. I INFORMED CHEVROLET OF WHERE I FOUND THE RECALLS , I WAS TOLD THIS WEBSITE IS ONLY OPINIONS FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING AB…
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I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE BACK OF MY CAR 3 TIMES AND ASKED THE AGENCY TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PART OR CASING AFTER I FOUND A RECALL THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. I INFORMED CHEVROLET OF WHERE I FOUND THE RECALLS , I WAS TOLD THIS WEBSITE IS ONLY OPINIONS FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. I WAS TOLD IN THE AGENCY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY ON 2003 MODELS AND NOT 2004'S. THE AGENCY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE WHOLE PART ANYWAYS BUT THE NEXT DAY A POLICE OFFICER ALMOST GAVE ME A TICKET BECAUSE HE SAID I FAILED TO INDICATE I WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ON A ONE LANE ROAD. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE AGENCY TWICE FOR THAT PROBLEM AND OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVEN'T REPLACE THE PART. MY CAR IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD AND IT HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS BEYOND THAT ONE. *NM
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN FIXED. THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WAS CORRECTED IN NOVEMBER. IT IS NOW JULY AND I'M HAVING THE SAME SIGNAL PROBLEM AGAIN.
BLOWER WILL GO ON BY ITSELF WHEN MANUALLY TURNED ON, THE BLOWER WILL GO OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND BACK ON. THE BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL GO BY ITSELF, THE CLOCK WILL TURN TO 12:00 WHEN TURNED OFF, HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING, WHEN USING ANYTHING ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR SUCH AS THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS, THE HEAD LIGHTS DIM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL BECAME DISENGAGED. TALSO, BRAKE LIGHT AND THE TAIL LIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE.*AK
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.