IllustrationCLUSTER INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. RPM ODOMETER DOESN'T WORK, SPEED RANGES FROM 80-OFF THE CHARTS, GAS GAUGE NOT ACCURATE. APPARENTLY BIG PROBLEM W/OVER 300 COMPLAINTS YET NO RECALL. FIRESTONE JUST QUOTED ME $700 FOR A REMOVE AND REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE. $600 FOR THE GAUGE ITSELF. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. *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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
435 reports1 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NOT WORKING 2. 70% OF THE TIME 3.BY GM NOTHING 2005 TRAILBLAZER. *TR
SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL WORK FINE FOR AWHILE, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SAYS WE ARE TRAVELING 0 MILES PER HOUR OR THE SPEEDOMETER SAYS WE ARE GOING SLOWER THAN OUR ACTUAL SPEED. *TR TODAY I FILLED MY GAS TANK AND NOW MY FUEL GAGE SAYS IT IS ON E AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT IS ON.
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED,. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE. *JS
MY FUEL SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS FIXED BUT I DON'T HAVE THE $1100.00 TO PAY FOR IT. *TR
GAS GAUGE FAILS. AFTER COMPLETELY FILLING GAS TANK, GAUGE STILL SHOWS BELOW EMPTY AND LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE - ONCE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WAS FORTUNATE TO COAST THRU THE INTERSECTION AND MAKE IT TO THE SIDE. I NOW TRACK MY GAS USAGE VIA MILEAGE BUT THIS IS NOT …
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GAS GAUGE FAILS. AFTER COMPLETELY FILLING GAS TANK, GAUGE STILL SHOWS BELOW EMPTY AND LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE - ONCE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WAS FORTUNATE TO COAST THRU THE INTERSECTION AND MAKE IT TO THE SIDE. I NOW TRACK MY GAS USAGE VIA MILEAGE BUT THIS IS NOT ACCURATE AND CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO STOP AND PUT GAS IN EVERY OTHER DAY FOR FEAR OF BREAKING DOWN AGAIN WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. I HAVE A COUPLE OF FRIENDS THAT ALSO OWN 2005 TRAILBLAZERS AND THEY ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS DISCUSSING THIS AN I AM SURPRISED CHEVROLET HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. IF THEY HAVE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND RESOLVE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
1) FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR SHOWS AN EMPTY READING DESPITE JUST BEING FILLED. AFTER DRIVING FOR 40-50 MILES GAUGE WILL SHOW ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TANK FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN GO BACK TO EMPTY. WHEN PROBLEM FIRST STARTED THE GAUGE WAS ALL OVER THE DIAL. 2) SPEEDOMETER ERRATICALLY WILL SHOW A SPEED AT A GREATER SPEED THAN ACTUALL…
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1) FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR SHOWS AN EMPTY READING DESPITE JUST BEING FILLED. AFTER DRIVING FOR 40-50 MILES GAUGE WILL SHOW ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TANK FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN GO BACK TO EMPTY. WHEN PROBLEM FIRST STARTED THE GAUGE WAS ALL OVER THE DIAL. 2) SPEEDOMETER ERRATICALLY WILL SHOW A SPEED AT A GREATER SPEED THAN ACTUALLY TRAVELING. RECENTLY SHOWED GOING 110MPH DESPITE TRAVELING ALONG WITH TRAFFIC FLOW OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED A LEVEL OF EMPTY ALTHOUGH THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED A LEVEL OF EMPTY ALTHOUGH THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP10001 (FUEL TANK FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING WHICH RESULTED IN RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *TR
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. SHOWS THAT THERE IS FUEL WHEN IT IS EMPTY AND APPEARS TO SHOW EMPTY AT RANDOM TIMES AS IT'S SHOWING ME EMPTY WHEN I JUST FILLED UP. *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.