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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
60,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR PROVIDED AN INACCURATE READING OF EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SERVICE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR PROVIDED AN INACCURATE READING OF EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SERVICE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. KMJ

NHTSA ODI #10487488

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER SUDDENLY OMITS A TERRIBLE GASOLINE SMELL WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND WHEN I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A LEAK AT THE GAS TANK (BY A SEAL) WHICH CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE GAS TANK FOR APPROX $ 800-$900 FOR THE TANK ONLY, NOT INC LABOR.…

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MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER SUDDENLY OMITS A TERRIBLE GASOLINE SMELL WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND WHEN I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A LEAK AT THE GAS TANK (BY A SEAL) WHICH CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE GAS TANK FOR APPROX $ 800-$900 FOR THE TANK ONLY, NOT INC LABOR. I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW IN 2004 AND IT WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY FACTOR, IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD? BEING ON A FIXED INCOME I AM UNABLE TO SHELL OUT MONEY FOR A NEW GAS TANK AT THIS TIME. WAS THERE A RECALL CONCERNING THIS MATTER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486350

115,000 miles · Nov 15, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10484789

92,000 miles · Nov 7, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SOCKETS FOR THE LIGHTS HAD BECOME BURNED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SOCKETS FOR THE LIGHTS HAD BECOME BURNED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILED AND THE SOCKET FOR THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,112.

NHTSA ODI #10483611

94,000 miles · Nov 5, 2012
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA ADVID TOURING S TIRES, TIRE SIZE 245/70/16. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES AND THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE SIDEWALL WERE SEVERELY CRACKED. THE THREE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12T0250…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA ADVID TOURING S TIRES, TIRE SIZE 245/70/16. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES AND THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE SIDEWALL WERE SEVERELY CRACKED. THE THREE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12T025000 (TIRES:SIDEWALL); HOWEVER THE TIRE WERE INELIGIBLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10483377

94,000 miles · Oct 23, 2012
TiresCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE TIRES, SIZE 245/70/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE FUNNY WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE TIRES, SIZE 245/70/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE FUNNY WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. ONCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. ONCE THE TIRE WAS INSPECTED THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A PIN HOLE IN THE TIRE WHICH CAUSED THE BLOW OUT. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000 ON THE TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10481552

75,476 miles · Oct 19, 2012
Electrical System

AFTER DRIVING MY LS TRAILBLAZER TO THE STORE, I GOT BACK IN TO NOTICE THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NO LONGER RESTING AT "0". THIS WAS BEFORE I EVEN STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SITTING AT THE "55" POINT! UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE GAUGE DID NOT MOVE BACK TO ZERO. SO AS I DROVE AWAY, GOING NO MORE THAN 10MPH, THE GAUGE SUGGESTED I WAS …

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AFTER DRIVING MY LS TRAILBLAZER TO THE STORE, I GOT BACK IN TO NOTICE THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NO LONGER RESTING AT "0". THIS WAS BEFORE I EVEN STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SITTING AT THE "55" POINT! UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE GAUGE DID NOT MOVE BACK TO ZERO. SO AS I DROVE AWAY, GOING NO MORE THAN 10MPH, THE GAUGE SUGGESTED I WAS GOING 65! I WAS SCARED DRIVING HOME BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW MY EXACT SPEED. UPON GETTING HOME AND SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE GAUGE RESTED AT THE "50" POINT. SO I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE, THEN QUICKLY TURNED IT OFF. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOW RESTING AT "45". I CONTINUED TO QUICKLY START AND THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, EVENTUALLY WORKING THE GAUGE BACK DOWN TO ZERO. BUT THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG. IN THE PAST, I HAVE HAD SMALLER SCALE INCIDENTS WITH THE TACHOMETER GAUGE. IT WOULD ZERO ITSELF AT 1 OR 2 RPMS, THUS INDICATING MY ENGINE WAS REVVING HIGHER THAN IT ACTUALLY WAS. MOREOVER, A COUPLE TIMES MY FUEL GAUGE WAS POINTING OUTSIDE OF THE E TO F RANGE! THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. GM, YOU NEED TO RECALL THIS AND FIX IT PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481097

116,000 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT SUDDENDLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT AND ONE MONTH LATER; THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT SUDDENDLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED BY THE CONTACT AND ONE MONTH LATER; THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE DEFECT OCCURRED SPORADICALLY AND THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10480821

140,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC NOTICED FUEL CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10479635

87,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Electrical System

WHILE TAKING MY GIRLS TO SCHOOL MY SPEEDOMETER READING WAS 50MPH FASTER THAN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING AND MY TACT WAS NOT REGISTERING AT ALL. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I TURNED ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND NEITHER GAUGE WORKS AT ALL AND HASN'T IN OVER A YEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT 800.00 TO F…

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WHILE TAKING MY GIRLS TO SCHOOL MY SPEEDOMETER READING WAS 50MPH FASTER THAN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING AND MY TACT WAS NOT REGISTERING AT ALL. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I TURNED ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND NEITHER GAUGE WORKS AT ALL AND HASN'T IN OVER A YEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT 800.00 TO FIX IT AND SAID IT WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE CLUSTER AND I HAVE CHECKED AND IT IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT THESE GAUGES WORKING AND JUDGE MY SPEED WITH THE TRAFFIC, BUT I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH LIMITED RESOURCES AND PURCHASED A GM VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY REPORTS. I FEEL THAT WITH ALL OF THE OTHER SAME COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE A LOSS OF LIFE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475573

Official recalls

2

05V198000 · 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

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.

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.