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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2014
Unknown Or Other

INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WENT OUT..

NHTSA ODI #10648944

82,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Unknown Or Other

SUMMARY: CLUSTER GAUGES ARE GOING OUT. THE SPEEDOMETER QUICK WORKING AND IS INTERMITTENT AT BEST ON A DAILY BASIS. IT EITHER INDICATES A LESSER OR GREATER SPEED THAN ACTUAL OR JUST FALLS TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN. I HAVE BEEN USING A MOUNTED GPS TO INDICATE SPEED. INITIAL REPAIR COST ESTIMATES WERE $500+ FOR THE PARTS SINCE THEY WI…

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SUMMARY: CLUSTER GAUGES ARE GOING OUT. THE SPEEDOMETER QUICK WORKING AND IS INTERMITTENT AT BEST ON A DAILY BASIS. IT EITHER INDICATES A LESSER OR GREATER SPEED THAN ACTUAL OR JUST FALLS TO POINT STRAIGHT DOWN. I HAVE BEEN USING A MOUNTED GPS TO INDICATE SPEED. INITIAL REPAIR COST ESTIMATES WERE $500+ FOR THE PARTS SINCE THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER. WITH LABOR, THE ESTIMATE WAS IN EXCESS OF $800. OIL AND BATTERY GUAGES HAVE FAILED SINCE. BASED UPON THE NUMBER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME THING, THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY GM.

NHTSA ODI #10604242

202,972 miles · Sep 21, 2013
Unknown Or Other

IN 2007 WE HAD INSTALLED AN INTERNAL IGNITION SWITCH THEN AGAIN IN 2010 AND NOW AGAIN 2013. THE CAR WOULD JUST STOP AND NOTHING WOULD COME ON. THIS IS WHAT IS INSTALLED EACH TIME IT IS DONE, INSTALLED 15242754 SL-N-SWITCH INSTALLED 12177251 SL-N-FUSE

NHTSA ODI #10544782

60,000 miles · Mar 21, 2013
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY '05 TRAILBLAZER NEW OFF THE LOT NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE SPEED ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. COUPLE YEARS LATER MY OIL & GAS GAGE STOPPED WORKING. I BASED MY SPEED OFF MY RPM & CALCULATE MY GAS MILEAGE AFTER EACH FILL UP. NOW MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE DIMMING & I'VE NOTICED ON MANY OCCASIONS MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKE…

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I PURCHASED MY '05 TRAILBLAZER NEW OFF THE LOT NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE SPEED ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. COUPLE YEARS LATER MY OIL & GAS GAGE STOPPED WORKING. I BASED MY SPEED OFF MY RPM & CALCULATE MY GAS MILEAGE AFTER EACH FILL UP. NOW MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE DIMMING & I'VE NOTICED ON MANY OCCASIONS MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER...I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE & THE WATER PUMP TWICE. NOW WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR THIS OTHER LITTLE CHK GAGE LIGHT COMES ON, I DON'T KNOW IF A MALFUNCTION OF IF SOMETHING IS TRULY WRONG. NOW IT'S RUNNING ROUGH, ACTS AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF. THEY HAVE CHECKED ALL THAT THEY CAN BUT BECAUSE THE CHK ENGINE LIGHT ISN'T ON, THERE'S NO WAY FOR THEM TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE MECHANIC RIDES WITH ME OF COURSE THE CAR WON'T DO IT...AND ALTHOUGH, THESE ARE SEPARATE ISSUES I CAN'T WONDER IF REPLACING THE BATTERY IS CONNECTED THE SAME SYSTEM AS THE DASHBOARD. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY 2 DIFFER MECHANICS IT WOULD COST UP TO $600 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SYSTEM. BUT AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS, MANY HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS ME I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THIS PROBLEM COULD OR SHOULD BE ON A RECALL & IF NOT, WHY? IF YOU VIEW THE COMPLAINTS WHY NOT LOOK INTO THE VERY PRESENT & PERSISTENT PROBLEM! ITS VERY FRUSTRATING & AGGRAVATING TO PLAY A GUESSING GAME WHEN YOUR UP & DOWN A HIGHWAY DAILY! NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY HAZARD! SURELY, YOUR COMPANY ISN'T SO MONEY HUNGRY THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOU PRODUCT & OFFER TO PAY FOR SOME OR ALL THE COSTS TO REPAIR! I'M A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 & I WAS BLESSED ENOUGH TO PAY MY CAR OFF A YEAR AGO BUT I'VE PAID MORE IN REPAIR COSTS & STRESSING WHETHER OR NOT I'LL MAKE IT SAFELY TO & FROM MY DESTINATION! I NEVER HAD THIS MANY ISSUES WITH MY GRAND JEEP CHEROKEE. I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED IN YOUR VEHICLE... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503996

49,181 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED A POP AND UPON FURTHER REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE THIRD TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN FREE FROM THE CLIPS THAT HOLD IT ON TO THE VEHICLE. IT IS STILL ATTACHED BY 1 BOLT BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE ASSEMBLY BREAKS FREE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEH…

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DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED A POP AND UPON FURTHER REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE THIRD TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN FREE FROM THE CLIPS THAT HOLD IT ON TO THE VEHICLE. IT IS STILL ATTACHED BY 1 BOLT BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE ASSEMBLY BREAKS FREE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #10406462

100,000 miles · May 13, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

FUEL IS ALWAYS SHOWN AS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I PUT GAS IN IT. BLOWER ON AC/HEAT QUIT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #10401755

36,000 miles · Mar 21, 2011
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

IN 2006 WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NORMAL. NOW WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL CUTOFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AND WILL THEN CUT BACK ON. IT CAN BE AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES OR 30 MINUTES. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK FINE WHEN THE "REGULAR" HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT. FOR THE PAST 2…

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IN 2006 WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NORMAL. NOW WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL CUTOFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AND WILL THEN CUT BACK ON. IT CAN BE AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES OR 30 MINUTES. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK FINE WHEN THE "REGULAR" HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THE GAS GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, AND OIL PRESSURE GAGE DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I CAN BE STOPPED AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW I AM GOING X MPH. IT VARIES ON THE AMOUNT OF MILES THE SPEEDOMETER IS OFF. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ALWAYS SITS BELOW THE LOW LINE. THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT CORRECT BUT DOES MOVE. THIS VEHICLE IS A PEACE OF JUNK.

NHTSA ODI #10393174

42,627 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

SINCE JUNE 2010, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAS NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL, IT READS AT 1/4 TANK OR BELOW, WHICH CAUSES ME TO RELY ON MY TRIP ODOMETER TO ESTIMATE MY CURRENT FUEL LEVELS. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS, AND THEY ARE CHARGING BETWEEN $50…

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SINCE JUNE 2010, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAS NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL, IT READS AT 1/4 TANK OR BELOW, WHICH CAUSES ME TO RELY ON MY TRIP ODOMETER TO ESTIMATE MY CURRENT FUEL LEVELS. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS, AND THEY ARE CHARGING BETWEEN $500 - $800 TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM! AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF TWO GM VEHICLES AND THE DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER OF GENERAL MOTORS RETIREES', I AM SORELY DISAPPOINTED IN GENERAL MOTORS REFUSAL TO ADMIT THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM THAT HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10377789

45,000 miles · Jan 18, 2011
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

MY RPM GAUGES STARTED MESSING UP NEED MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED NEXT. THEY STARTED STICKING AND JUMPING UP. MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY SO I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT GOING ON WITH IT!

NHTSA ODI #10377753

72,900 miles · Jan 17, 2011
Unknown Or Other

MISLEADING INFORMATION ON THE SPEEDOMETER OF THE TRAILBLAZER. THE HAS STOPPED REGISTERING THE CORRECT SPEED DURING TRAVEL. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 20 MPH. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT SPEED THEY ARE CURRENTLY TRAVELING. WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH THE SPEEDOME…

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MISLEADING INFORMATION ON THE SPEEDOMETER OF THE TRAILBLAZER. THE HAS STOPPED REGISTERING THE CORRECT SPEED DURING TRAVEL. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 20 MPH. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT SPEED THEY ARE CURRENTLY TRAVELING. WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 75 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #10377610

Official recalls

2

06V417000 · 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

2

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.

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.