IllustrationTHE DASH CONTROL PANEL HAS STOPPED WORKING OR ONLY CERTAIN ITEMS SHOWING SPEED, TEMP AND OIL PRESSURE WORK ON OCCASION. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR REPAIR OPTIONS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. *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
Exterior Lighting complaints
101 reportsI BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT AN ELECITRICAL MESS. FIRST MY HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, THEN A COUPLE TIMES A MONTH, THEN ONCE A WEEK. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED DOING THE SAME. OUR FAMLIY MECHHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT, HE JUST KEPT REPLACING THEM AND SENDING THE BAD BULBS IN FOR W…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT AN ELECITRICAL MESS. FIRST MY HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, THEN A COUPLE TIMES A MONTH, THEN ONCE A WEEK. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED DOING THE SAME. OUR FAMLIY MECHHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT, HE JUST KEPT REPLACING THEM AND SENDING THE BAD BULBS IN FOR WARRANTY. A COUPLE TIMES THE PIGTAILS AND LAMPS HAD TO BE REPLACES. ALSO 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT ONCE WHILE DRIVING. AND I HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN THE DARK WITH NO HEAD LIGHTS ON. I TOOK IT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AFTER THE THIRD TIME ABD APPARENTLY MY FUSE BOX WAS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SPENT OVER 1000.00 DOING THAT AND IT WORKED OKAY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEN HEADLIGHTS STARTED GOING OUT AGAIN AND BRAKE TLIGHTS AS WELL. NOT ONCE A WEEK, BUT STILL ABOUT ONCE A MONTH OR EVERY OTHER MONTH. RECENTLY MY DRIVERS WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE MASTER SWITCH TO LOCK MY CAR OR ROLL UP MY WINDOWS. THE CLUSTER PANEL IN THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, HAD TWO SENSORS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE, PARKING BRAKE, AND CRUSIE CONTROL WOULD STOP WORKING ALL AT ONCE AND THE LIGHTS WOULD BE LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I WASNT' ABLE TO USE ANY OF THEM UNTIL THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ALSO THE POWER SHORTED OUT IN MY SIDE MIRROS, SO I CAN'T ADJUST THE MIRRORS WITH THE CONTROL OR THEY START TILITING BACK AND FORTH LIKE CRAZY ON THEIR OWN. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND ADJUST THEM MANUALLY. GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL, THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I WILL NOT BE BUYING A GM CAR WHILE I LOOK FOR A NEW CAR SOON. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO M ORE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,500. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ
THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WENT DOWN TO 0, WHILE I WAS ON HWY TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. MY SPEEDOMETER CURRENTLY ISN'T WORKING AND GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING TO. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS? THE LIGHTENING WILL GO OUT TO AND DON'T WANT TO COME BACK ON SOME TIMES. *TR
HEADLIGHTS TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING TAILLIGHTS BURNS OUT AT LEASE ONCE A MONTH (BLINKERS, BRAKES ETC) INTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF AT TIMES. *TR
THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. YOU CAN SWITCH TO THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK. AFTER ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, YOU CAN PUT THE LIGHTS BACK TO NORMAL AND THEY WILL OPERATE ON THE LOW BEAMS. IT MAY BE A MONTH BEFO…
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THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. YOU CAN SWITCH TO THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK. AFTER ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, YOU CAN PUT THE LIGHTS BACK TO NORMAL AND THEY WILL OPERATE ON THE LOW BEAMS. IT MAY BE A MONTH BEFORE THIS OCCURS AGAIN.
MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I CONTACTED CHEVY DEALER AND ADVISED OF SO MANY ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE THE PURCHASE MAINLY MOST RECENT IS THE DRIVER SIGNAL LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON AND IT WAS RECALLED 2004 RECALL# TURN SIGNAL 05V198000 IN WHICH THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE CAMPAIGN HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE MINE CANNOT BE REPLAC…
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MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I CONTACTED CHEVY DEALER AND ADVISED OF SO MANY ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE THE PURCHASE MAINLY MOST RECENT IS THE DRIVER SIGNAL LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON AND IT WAS RECALLED 2004 RECALL# TURN SIGNAL 05V198000 IN WHICH THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE CAMPAIGN HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE MINE CANNOT BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALREADY ALMOST HAD 3 CAR CRASHES BECAUSE THE SIGNAL IS NOT WORKING. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY CHEVROLET DID NOT REPLACE WHEN IT IS CLEAR THIS IS LIFE THREATENING REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE RECALL WAS PUT INTO FORCE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT NOTICED NO LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS. FLIPPED TO HIGH BEAM AND THEY WORKED. CALLED A FRIEND WHO SAID TO CHECK THE RELAY BY SWITCHING THE FAN RELAY WITH LOW BEAM RELAY. THAT WAS PROBLEM. PURCHASED A NEW RELAY NEXT DAY AND INSTALLED IT. 2 DAYS LATER, NO LOW BEAM LIGHTS AGAIN. POPPED COVER ON RELAYS TO FIND A MELT…
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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT NOTICED NO LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS. FLIPPED TO HIGH BEAM AND THEY WORKED. CALLED A FRIEND WHO SAID TO CHECK THE RELAY BY SWITCHING THE FAN RELAY WITH LOW BEAM RELAY. THAT WAS PROBLEM. PURCHASED A NEW RELAY NEXT DAY AND INSTALLED IT. 2 DAYS LATER, NO LOW BEAM LIGHTS AGAIN. POPPED COVER ON RELAYS TO FIND A MELTED MESS. LOW BEAM RELAY HAD MELTED ALONG WITH THE 15 AMP FUSE ADJACENT TO IT AS WELL AS THE FUSE BOX. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON LINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'M CURRENTLY HUNTING DOWN A USED UNDER HOOD FUSE/RELAY BOX TO REPLACE THIS ONE WITH. *TR
BACK HATCH AND WINDOW WILL ONLY OPEN OCCASIONALLY IF I'M LUCKY. TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT ONCE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE HATCH OPEN TO FIX IT. THEY ARE OUT AGAIN AND I CAN'T GET THE HATCH TO OPEN NOW. I HAVE BEEN REPLACING HEAD LAMPS ABOUT EVERY 8 TO 10 MONTHS. HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOW GOING OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE I'M DRIVING…
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BACK HATCH AND WINDOW WILL ONLY OPEN OCCASIONALLY IF I'M LUCKY. TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT ONCE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE HATCH OPEN TO FIX IT. THEY ARE OUT AGAIN AND I CAN'T GET THE HATCH TO OPEN NOW. I HAVE BEEN REPLACING HEAD LAMPS ABOUT EVERY 8 TO 10 MONTHS. HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOW GOING OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT. I CAN FLIP ON THE BRIGHTS AND THEN WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND FLIP BACK TO LOW BEAMS, SOMETIMES THIS WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THE DOME LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON AND STAY ON AFTER I TURN IT OFF. HALF OF THE DASH LIGHTS FOR THE RADIO ARE OUT, SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME ON IF I TAP THEM. THE FEATURE THAT LETS YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE RADIO WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AND THE WINDOWS WILL STILL ROLL DOWN AS LONG AS YOU DON'T OPEN THE DOOR, IS NOT WORKING. BOTH O2 SENSORS ARE OUT AND HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME. I PURCHASED THIS SUV BRAND NEW FROM A CHEVY DEALER. I HAVE PAID IT OFF AND KEPT UP ALL OF THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON IT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO GET THESE ISSUES FIXED I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE OVER $2500.00 TO FIX AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE LABOR. THIS SUV IS A LEMON, IF I WAS IN A POSITION TO TRADE IT IN OR BUY A NEW ONE I WOULD, AND I WOULD NOT BE GETTING ANOTHER CHEVY. I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL RECALLS ON THE TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LIGHTS BECAUSE A FRIEND HAD HEARD ABOUT THEM AND SUGGESTED A WEBSITE TO CHECK. I'M CALLING THE DEALER TODAY TO SEE IF I CAN GET THESE ISSUES TAKEN CARE OF. ANOTHER REASON I WILL NOT BE BUYING CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED MY HEADLIGHTS WENT DARK. ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKED WELL (RADIO AND STUFF) AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER. THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, BUT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT. IT'S HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STREET, MY DRIVEWAY WHEN …
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED MY HEADLIGHTS WENT DARK. ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKED WELL (RADIO AND STUFF) AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER. THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, BUT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT. IT'S HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STREET, MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I PULL IN... USUALLY IT LASTS ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON. THE HIGH BEAMS STILL SEEM TO WORK, THOUGH. *TR
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.