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
What owners actually said
1,081 reports
104,000 miles · Dec 10, 2013
SeatsFire
AFTER MAKING A FEW ERRANDS, I PARKED MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT IN MY DRIVEWAY AROUND NOON. I IMMEDIATELY WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. AROUND 4:30 PM I WENT TO GET IN MY TRUCK AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD BEEN ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE SEAT AND CEILING WAS DESTROYED. THE CEILING'S MELTED PLASTIC/MATERIALS WERE ALL OVER EVERYTHING. EVERY…
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AFTER MAKING A FEW ERRANDS, I PARKED MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT IN MY DRIVEWAY AROUND NOON. I IMMEDIATELY WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. AROUND 4:30 PM I WENT TO GET IN MY TRUCK AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD BEEN ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE SEAT AND CEILING WAS DESTROYED. THE CEILING'S MELTED PLASTIC/MATERIALS WERE ALL OVER EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING WAS COOL TO THE TOUCH AT THIS TIME.THERE IS FIRE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE TRAILBLAZER. EVERYTHING INSIDE IS COVERED WITH HEAVY BLACK SOOT OR PIECES OF MELTED PLASTIC. YOU CAN'T SEE THROUGH THE WINDOWS. I HAD MY HUSBAND CALL 911. POLICE & FIRE RESPONDED. THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE FIRE MARSHALL SAYS IT STARTED IN ONE OF THE MOTORS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I DO NOT HAVE HEATED SEATS. HE ALSO STATED THAT WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN WINDOW TO HELP FUEL THE FIRE AND THAT VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT OCCUPANTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555535
95,000 miles · Nov 12, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline
I FIRST STARTING SMELL GAS OUT SIDE THE TRAILBLAZER AFTER FILLING IT UP. I LOOKED AT THE FUEL TANK AND LOOKS TO BE LEAKING AT THE FILLER NECK. NOW I AM SMELL GAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552001
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE DRIVER'S HEAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD AND AS A RESULT, HE SUSTAINE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE DRIVER'S HEAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD AND AS A RESULT, HE SUSTAINED BLEEDING FROM THE BRAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10551484
95,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Electrical System
THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES STARTED TO ACT UP. IT FIRST BEGAN WITH THE GAS TANK GAUGE NOT WORKING AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER SOON FOLLOWED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551461
120,000 miles · Nov 4, 2013
Electrical System
GAS GAUGE AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550714
112,000 miles · Nov 3, 2013
Power TrainStructure
MY RIGHT SIDE BACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND MY LEFT BACK DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE UNLESS I HIT THE LOCK FIRST. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL JUST KICK IN ON ITS OWN. NOW IT FEEL AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING. THIS TO ME IS A DANGER TO MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF> I ALSO FEEL THAT THESE ARE DEFEC…
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MY RIGHT SIDE BACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND MY LEFT BACK DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE UNLESS I HIT THE LOCK FIRST. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL JUST KICK IN ON ITS OWN. NOW IT FEEL AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING. THIS TO ME IS A DANGER TO MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF> I ALSO FEEL THAT THESE ARE DEFECTS IN THIS VEHICLE AS I FEEL G.M SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER G.M AGAIN. SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550673
61,540 miles · Oct 25, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
I SMELLED GAS AND TOOK IT TO MY LOCATION TIRE SHOP. THEY FOUND THE FILLER TO THE GAS TANK HAS A CRACK. THEY SAID THAT THE GAS TANK WOULD HAVE TO REPLACED. I DID A INTERNET SEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549553
112,252 miles · Oct 15, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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
NHTSA ODI #10547912
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK AT RANDOM PLACES. IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. ALL OTHER CONTROLS HAVE ALSO GONE OUT TOO. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS THE FIRST TO STOP WORKING AND THE REST HAVE GONE OUT ABOUT A MONTH OR 2 APART.
NHTSA ODI #10545024
116,000 miles · Sep 11, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A U-TURN, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE FRONT BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND REAR OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NOSE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A U-TURN, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE FRONT BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE AND REAR OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NOSE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
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.
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
4
RQ17002 · 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.
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.
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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