IllustrationHEAD LAMP DIMING *CN
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
140 reportsWHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTS SEEM TO DIM AND BRIGHTEN. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOLTAGE GAUGE, IT IS FLUCTUATING ALSO.*CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FLICKERED AND DIMMED TEMPORARILY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/24/08 …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FLICKERED AND DIMMED TEMPORARILY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 01/24/08 *BF UPDATED 01/24/08 *TR
LIGHTS DIM AND BRIGHTEN AT NIGHT WITH CORRESPONDING DROPS IN VOLTAGE ON MY WIFE'S 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT. LOOKS LIKE I AM DIMMING MY LIGHTS, HAVE NOTICED RESPONSES FROM OTHER MOTORISTS. SEVERAL TRAILBLAZER OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
HEADLIGHTS BLINK, DIM AND BRIGHTEN HAVE DONE THIS SINCE NEW .ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY HAS NEVER GIVEN A CODE. DASH LIGHTS ALSO DIM. HAS BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. NO HELP. *TR
PURCHASED 2005 TRAILBLAZER 3/8/05 @ BACON CHEVROLET IN PALESTINE,TX. PROBLEMS: WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHT & INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKER & SHUT OFF, ENGINE LOSES POWER & SURGES LUNGING FORWARD, BATTERY GAUGE DROPS & PEGS OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, DING ALARM, RADIO, ELECTRIC LOCKS, ETC, W/ NO KEY IN IGNITION GO OFF & ON…
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PURCHASED 2005 TRAILBLAZER 3/8/05 @ BACON CHEVROLET IN PALESTINE,TX. PROBLEMS: WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHT & INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKER & SHUT OFF, ENGINE LOSES POWER & SURGES LUNGING FORWARD, BATTERY GAUGE DROPS & PEGS OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, DING ALARM, RADIO, ELECTRIC LOCKS, ETC, W/ NO KEY IN IGNITION GO OFF & ON, NO POWER CANT START VEHICLE. SVC MGR/TECH COMMENTS: CANT DUPLICATE COMPLAINT, NO CODES SHOWING, GM BULLETIN STATING "NORMAL" & WORKING AS DESIGNED, CAN NOT REPLACE OR WORK ON ANYMORE DUE TO TECH/GM MOTORS STATING "NORMAL", OR UNTIL PROBLEM CAN BE DUPLICATED OR UNTIL THEY HAVE A WAY TO FIX. REPAIRS:(TOTAL OF 9 TIMES IN SHOP) 2 HEADLAMP SWITCHES, 1 BATTERY, 3 TIMES WIRING HARNESS GONE THROUGH, NUMEROUS PCM UPDATES/REPROGRAMS, FUEL PRESSURE CHECK, IPC REPROGRAM, DATA RECORDER INSTALLED, REPLACED BCM BODY CONTROL MODULE, WORKORDERS HAVE BEEN ALTERED & WORK STATED DONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE. I HAVE ALL MY WORKORDERS. CONCLUSION: TOOK TO BBB OF TYLER,TX.CS#CHV0592738, HAD ARBITRATION HEARING. BBB'S DECISION WAS THAT THEIR OPINION WAS THAT THE LIGHTS GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THOUGHT THE BBB WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A CONSUMER ADVOCATE! I FOUND THIS WEBSITE WHILE DOING A COLLEGE RESEARCH PAPER. HOW MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM, BUT DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. WILL ANYTHING BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR IS THAT WHAT IT WILL TAKE! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN OR IDLING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT NIGHT WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF, ONLY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS.…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN OR IDLING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT NIGHT WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF, ONLY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE OF THE CIRCUIT PANELS, BUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS GIVING THEM THE RUN AROUND AFTER EXTENDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN ELECTRICAL FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. UPDATED 12/04/07 *TR
MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND THE VOLTAGE METER BOUNCES AROUND. THE FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS ARE A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS AS THOSE AHEAD OF ME THINK I AM TRYING TO FLAG THEM DOWN. *TR
MY HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS DIM AND FLICKER. MY FUEL GAUGE IS NEVER CORRECT IT WILL SHOW EMPTY RIGHT AFTER A FILL-UP. *TR
HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH AND FLICKER RAMDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT IS SO BAD THAT OTHER DRIVERS PULL OVER BECAUSE THEY THINK I AM FLASHING THE LIGHTS AT THEM. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER FOUR VISITS.*AK
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.