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
80,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Electrical System
MOST OF THE GAUGES ARE VERY ERRATIC WHEN IN MOTION OR STOPPED. TACHOMETER JUMPS AROUND, OIL PRESSURE READS ALL OVER, SPEEDOMETER GOES TO ZERO OR FULL SCALE, AMP METER DROPS BELOW 14 AND LIGHTS DIM WHEN THIS HAPPENS, (HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, THIS IS QUITE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO BELIEV…
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MOST OF THE GAUGES ARE VERY ERRATIC WHEN IN MOTION OR STOPPED. TACHOMETER JUMPS AROUND, OIL PRESSURE READS ALL OVER, SPEEDOMETER GOES TO ZERO OR FULL SCALE, AMP METER DROPS BELOW 14 AND LIGHTS DIM WHEN THIS HAPPENS, (HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, THIS IS QUITE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO BELIEVE ON ANY OF THE GAUGES. NO REPAIR SHOP HAS BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11308287
190,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
SeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW LOOKED ABNORMAL. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND EXTINGUISHED ITSELF OUT. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW LOOKED ABNORMAL. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND EXTINGUISHED ITSELF OUT. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO PROVE THAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. *LN PHOTOS ATTACHED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #11267981
186,990 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Air BagsCrash
WELL I HIT A TREE AN THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOYED BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON
NHTSA ODI #11265285
60,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Electrical System
1 OWNER VEHICLE - BOUGHT IN 2004 & HAD 8 MILES ON IT. HAS BEEN VERY WELL KEPT & CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT AS OF 9/16/19. AS OTHERS, THE ELECTRICAL CLUSTER HAS MALFUNCTIONED. SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING OVER A YEAR AGO & NOW THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED. PROBLEM IS WITH THE CLUSTER AS "ESTIMATED MILEAGE" STILL WORKS. HAVE N…
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1 OWNER VEHICLE - BOUGHT IN 2004 & HAD 8 MILES ON IT. HAS BEEN VERY WELL KEPT & CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT AS OF 9/16/19. AS OTHERS, THE ELECTRICAL CLUSTER HAS MALFUNCTIONED. SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING OVER A YEAR AGO & NOW THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED. PROBLEM IS WITH THE CLUSTER AS "ESTIMATED MILEAGE" STILL WORKS. HAVE NOTICED THAT OTHER GAUGES ACT ERRATIC AT TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT CHEVY IS WELL AWARE OF YET FAIL TO ACT. TO TB TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS THEY STATED THERE IS NO RECALL. COST OUT OF MY POCKET FOR REPAIR WILL BE OVER $800.00. SPEEDOMETER ORIGINALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HWY. IT STARTED TO WORK AGAIN BUT FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY A FEW WEEKS LATER. FUEL GUAGE SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING AFTER STARTING VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11256012
146,577 miles · Aug 8, 2019
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PANEL SWITCH AND CONNECTOR. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PANEL SWITCH AND CONNECTOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,577.
NHTSA ODI #11242455
196,000 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Electrical SystemInjury
WHEN DRIVING OUR VEHICLE FROM MYRTLE BEACH THIS WEEK WE NOTICED A SMELL ABOUT HALF WAY HOME THAT REEKED OF ROTTEN EGGS. THE SMELL WAS SO BAD THAT I BECAUSE NAUSEOUS AND DEVELOOED A SEVERE HEADACHE. AFTER WE REACHED OUR HOUSE AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY I TRIED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK SO AFTER RESEAR…
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WHEN DRIVING OUR VEHICLE FROM MYRTLE BEACH THIS WEEK WE NOTICED A SMELL ABOUT HALF WAY HOME THAT REEKED OF ROTTEN EGGS. THE SMELL WAS SO BAD THAT I BECAUSE NAUSEOUS AND DEVELOOED A SEVERE HEADACHE. AFTER WE REACHED OUR HOUSE AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY I TRIED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK SO AFTER RESEARCHING THE SMELL AND POSSIBLE CAUSES WE BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY FOR THE VEHICLE AND CHANGED THE BATTERY OURSELVES WHICH CAUSED MY HUSBAND TO DEVELOP A SEVERE COUGH AND UPPER RESPITORY PROBLEMS DUE TO THE BOILING THAT WAS OCCURING INSIDE THE BATTERY. HENCE THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS.
NHTSA ODI #11240455
180,000 miles · Jul 27, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN AND IDLING
NHTSA ODI #11235303
146,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
SMELL OF GAS WHEN DRIVING VERY STRONG MUST DRIVE WITH WINDOW OPEN
NHTSA ODI #11234486
269,000 miles · Jul 2, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
TAKATA RECALL/ I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF WHY IS THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFTEY FEATURE?
NHTSA ODI #11228922
150,542 miles · Jun 14, 2019
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,542.
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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