NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
101 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
SINCE PURCHASING OUR BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS NUMEROUS OF TIMES INCLUDING THE SOCKETS FOR EACH SIDE. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. OR WE CAN SIMPLY TAP IT AND IT WILL GO OUT/COME ON. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE BULB ON THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED TWICE! WE HAVE SPECULA…
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SINCE PURCHASING OUR BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS NUMEROUS OF TIMES INCLUDING THE SOCKETS FOR EACH SIDE. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. OR WE CAN SIMPLY TAP IT AND IT WILL GO OUT/COME ON. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE BULB ON THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED TWICE! WE HAVE SPECULATED THAT THE WIRES ARE LOOSE BUT WHEN INSPECTED, THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE CASE. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT THE SHOP (NOT CHEVY THEY COST TOO MUCH) AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING MORE THAN A BURNT BULB. WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD THAT WAS NOT WELL LIT AT ABOUT 10P WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER PULLING OVER & DECIDING THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT HOME WAS TO DRIVE WITH MY FLASHERS ON, I CONTINUED MY WAY HOME. HALF WAY HOME THEY CAME BACK ON BUT BEFORE I GOT HOME THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? AGAIN, I WOULD SAY IT'S A LOOSE WIRE, BUT WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THAT ON BOTH SIDES? NOW,TONIGHT, WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING (11P) WITH 2 FRIENDS WITH HIM, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT; BUT CAME BACK ON. MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FLICKER, LIKE THEY ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER/TOO MUCH. I HAVE CALLED A LOCAL DEALER & AM TOLD THEY CAN RUN A TEST TO SEE WHAT THEY FIND. THAT WOULD BE GREAT, IF I HAD THE CASH FLOW FOR IT; AS IT'S NOT CHEAP JUST FOR THEM TO "RUN" THE TEST NOT FIX IT...THAT WILL COST EXTRA. I AM NOT SURE HOW CHEVY FEELS THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS? IF YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MY ISSUE IS PLEASE TELL ME SO THAT I CAN HAVE SOME ONE I CAN AFFORD TO PAY, FIX IT. BUYING BULBS IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES IF THAT WAS THE ONLY ISSUE. BUT FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT'S AN ISSUE! I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU, CHEVY, REALIZE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE & REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429210
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
MY HEAD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON RANDOMLY. RANDOMLY THEY DO. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. NO, IT'S NOT LIGHT BULB REPLACEMET ISSUES.....OTHER BLOG SITES HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. VERY DANGEROUS!!!! THE GAS GAUGE ALSO IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE GAS GETS LOW IT BLINKS ON FOR A SECO…
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MY HEAD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON RANDOMLY. RANDOMLY THEY DO. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. NO, IT'S NOT LIGHT BULB REPLACEMET ISSUES.....OTHER BLOG SITES HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. VERY DANGEROUS!!!! THE GAS GAUGE ALSO IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE GAS GETS LOW IT BLINKS ON FOR A SECOND THEN ADDS MORE GAS TO THE PANEL. PEOPLE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS UNKNOWINGLY. ALSO VERY DANGEROUS! *TT
NHTSA ODI #10427698
85,000 miles · Sep 9, 2011
Exterior LightingSeat BeltsFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE THIRD ROW SEATING, BUT NONE OF THE SEAT BELTS WOULD SUCCESSFULLY TIGHTEN AND RETAIN THE CHILD SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE THIRD ROW SEATING, BUT NONE OF THE SEAT BELTS WOULD SUCCESSFULLY TIGHTEN AND RETAIN THE CHILD SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE EXPERIENCING A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THEY WOULD PERIODICALLY BURN OUT. UPON EXAMINING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED EACH HEADLIGHT APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10424458
97,358 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Exterior Lighting
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT BUT FOGLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS WORK. HEADLIGHTS COME BACK ON AFTER AWHILE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423830
69,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT INDICATE THE SPEED IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AND THE TACOMETER WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT INDICATE THE SPEED IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AND THE TACOMETER WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY BURN OUT, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHT TO MELT AND EMIT SMOKE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10415218
76,000 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OFF FOR NO REASON, AND THEN WILL COME BACK ON BUT NO APPARENT REASON,LEAVING YOU DRIVING COMPLETELY IN THE DARK. (TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT DOES NOT EFFECT IT EITHER.) DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WILL ALSO GO OFF. THIS PROBLEM 1ST BEGAN APPR 2 YEARS AGO BUT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT 3 TIM…
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AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OFF FOR NO REASON, AND THEN WILL COME BACK ON BUT NO APPARENT REASON,LEAVING YOU DRIVING COMPLETELY IN THE DARK. (TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT DOES NOT EFFECT IT EITHER.) DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WILL ALSO GO OFF. THIS PROBLEM 1ST BEGAN APPR 2 YEARS AGO BUT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT 3 TIMES A WEEK IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NO LONGER WORK. THEY PERIODICALLY WILL COME BACK ON BUT HAS NOT WORKED IN 2 WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394340
125,000 miles · Feb 17, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. OIL PRESSURE AND AMPS GAUGE MALFUNCTION. MECHANIC QUOTED PRICE $650 TO REPLACE CLUSTER. EMISSIONS FAILURE PAID DEALER APPROXIMATELY $375 TO REPLACE EMISSIONS PUMP. AIR CONDITIONING MODE MOTOR ACTUATOR OUT; BLOWER DOESN'T OPERATE ON HIGH SETTING. DEALER QUOTED PRICE $750 T…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. OIL PRESSURE AND AMPS GAUGE MALFUNCTION. MECHANIC QUOTED PRICE $650 TO REPLACE CLUSTER. EMISSIONS FAILURE PAID DEALER APPROXIMATELY $375 TO REPLACE EMISSIONS PUMP. AIR CONDITIONING MODE MOTOR ACTUATOR OUT; BLOWER DOESN'T OPERATE ON HIGH SETTING. DEALER QUOTED PRICE $750 TO FIX AIR CONDITIONER. SPORADIC ELECTRICAL ISSUES-SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON-FIRST TIME CODE READ FAULTY THERMOSTAT COOLING SENSOR, NEXT IT READ FAULTY AIR MASS SENSOR, ANOTHER TIME IT READ FAULTY EMISSIONS SENSOR. MECHANIC QUOTED PRICE $40 PER HOUR PLUS PARTS TO ISOLATE PROBLEM. A PERSON COULD GO BROKE BEFORE FIXING POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, CONSIDERING NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO ALL THESE POSSIBILITIES. FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, HARD TO ISOLATE. PAID MECHANIC $135 TO REPLACE RIGHT SIDE INNER TIE ROD END. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN RETURNING STEERING WHEEL FROM A RIGHT TURN, FRONT RIGHT SIDE MAKES A SINGLE "POP" SOUND. HAD TO REPLACE "BURNT" HEADLIGHT PIGTAILS ON FRONT, AND PARK LIGHT PIGTAIL ON RIGHT REAR. PROPERTY DAMAGE IS CONSIDERED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE DUE TO THE COMPLAINTS LISTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383037
74,000 miles · Nov 19, 2010
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. I USUALLY HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SET FOR AWHILE. ONCE I RESTART IT WORKS. WELL NOW THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL. I REPLACED THE HEADLAMPS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS BECAUSE THE DIMS DON'T WORK.
NHTSA ODI #10367556
72,000 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. HI-BEAMS AND FOGLIGHTS STILL WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ALL FUSES, BULBS AND RELAYS CHECKED, NO FAULT FOUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356747
105,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD BEGUN TO CRACK ON THE EXTERIOR SHELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10355557
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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