IllustrationFUEL GAUGE IS NOT INDICATING FUEL LEVEL. GAUGE INCORRECTLY DISPLAYS AS EMPTY OR ALMOST EMPTY WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL OR PARTIALLY FULL. *TR
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Trailblazer years
Owner complaints for the 2005 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
950–25K
18325–50K
37350–75K
28875–100K
224100–150K
57150K+
1,220 reports with mileage · 246 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 617 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 435 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
59 crash reports25 fire reports41 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
617 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE FUEL GAUGE PROVIDED INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. THE CONTACT THE RAN OUT OF FUEL TWICE DUE TO THE FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE FUEL GAUGE PROVIDED INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. THE CONTACT THE RAN OUT OF FUEL TWICE DUE TO THE FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOWS OVER 120 MPH NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELING. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT. THE FUEL GAUGE IS ALSO VERY INACCURATE NEVER SHOWING MORE THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH I PUT IN. *KB
THE SPEEDOMETER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WILL GO HAYWIRE. WILL READ OVER OR UNDER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE ACTUALLY DRIVING. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT YOU DO NOT NOTICE RIGHT AWAY THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT OF WHACK SO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING, LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE TO DRI…
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THE SPEEDOMETER AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WILL GO HAYWIRE. WILL READ OVER OR UNDER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE ACTUALLY DRIVING. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT YOU DO NOT NOTICE RIGHT AWAY THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS OUT OF WHACK SO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING, LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE TO DRIVING TOO FAST FOR ROAD CONDITIONS AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND GM WILL DO NOTHING TO REPAIR THIS. *KB
THE TRAILBLAZER I BOUGHT SEEM TO BE MORE OF A HEADACHE THE A SPORT VEHICLE. I WISH I HAD LOOK BETTER AT ALL THE INFORMATION THE WAS OUT THERE. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE, OR RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE TO ANYONE. SORRY I BOUGHT IT. *TR
MY SPEEDOMETER ALL OF A SUDDEN JUMPED TO OVER 70MPH WHEN I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30MPH. SINCE JUNE OF THIS YEAR IT HAS HAPPENED NUMBEROUS TIMES. NOW IT JUST SITS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SPEEDOMETER WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF. *TR
BLOWER FAN STAYS ON CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN IS CUT OFF. ONLY WAY TO CUT OFF FAN IS TO PULL OUT MODULE IN FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD.:( *TR
SPEEDOMETER JUMPS TO DIFFERENT SPEEDS . WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE TRUCK IT WILL STAY STUCK 110MPH, OR WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR IT WILL JUST JUMP DOWN A LITTLE 100MPH. OTHER CHEVY MODELS HAVE HAD RECALLS ON THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT CHEVY TRAILBLAZER? WHY *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE WENT OUT IN MY VEHICLE. MY SPEEDOMETER IS DOING THE SAME THING AND MY OIL GAUGE. HOW IS THAT NOT A SAFETY RECALL! CALLED THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF REPAIR FOR THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY WENT TO 100 MILES AN HOUR. I KNEW THIS COULD NOT BE THE CASE AS MY GPS SHOWED I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH. IT THEN WENT TO 120MILES AN HOUR AND FLIP. FLOPPED BACK AND FORTH. I WENT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL CLUSTER …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY WENT TO 100 MILES AN HOUR. I KNEW THIS COULD NOT BE THE CASE AS MY GPS SHOWED I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH. IT THEN WENT TO 120MILES AN HOUR AND FLIP. FLOPPED BACK AND FORTH. I WENT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL CLUSTER AND EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS, CHEVROLET WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. THE COST TO ME WOULD BE OVER $500 I LIVE ON A SMALL SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK, SO COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. NEXT AT 85,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE WENT HAYWIRE AND WOULD NOT REGISTER ANY FUEL ALTHOUGH I WOULD FILL IT COMPLETELY. ALSO, THE LIGHTS BLINK OFF AND ON WHEN I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT, SO, I AM AFRAID I WILL BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK WITH MY CAR QUITTING ALL TOGETHER. THIS WAS MY LAST CAR PURCHASE BEFORE I RETIRED AND I AM JUST SICK THAT THE CHEVROLET COMPANY WILL NOT FIX THESE DEFECTS...THEY FIX THE SAME CLUSTER IN THEIR CHEVROLET TRUCKS....WHY NOT IN THE CARS? BY THE WAY, I JUST GOT A LETTER LAST WEEK SAYING THEY WOULD "SPLIT THE COST " TO FIX THE FUEL GAUGE...(MY COST IS $200 1/3 OF MY SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!! *TR
Official recalls
206V417000 · Air Bags:frontal
Oct 31, 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
05V035000 · Visibility:windshield
Feb 3, 2005
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, 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
2RQ17002 · 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.
DP10001 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
Opened Jan 7, 2010 · Closed May 23, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Other
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.