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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

What owners actually said

1,466 reports
121,000 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Electrical System

MY CAR WAS STARTING FINE BEFORE THIS. I LEFT WORK WENT OUT TO MY CAR TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN ELECTRICAL NOISES EVEN AFTER I TOOK KEY OUT. GOT A JUMP (IT WAS QUICK) THE GAUGE WAS MOVING SLIGHTLY. GOT TO WHERE I NEEDED TO BE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IMMEDIATELY IT WOULD NOT START. JUMPED IT AGAI…

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MY CAR WAS STARTING FINE BEFORE THIS. I LEFT WORK WENT OUT TO MY CAR TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN ELECTRICAL NOISES EVEN AFTER I TOOK KEY OUT. GOT A JUMP (IT WAS QUICK) THE GAUGE WAS MOVING SLIGHTLY. GOT TO WHERE I NEEDED TO BE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IMMEDIATELY IT WOULD NOT START. JUMPED IT AGAIN GOT HOME AND THE KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AND THE LIGHTS FLASHED INSIDE AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE ALL NIGHT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609766

3,000 miles · Jul 5, 2014
EnginePower Train

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER WITH 32,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW FROM THE DEALER. OVER THE FEW YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE BEEN FACED WITH A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES. MY FIRST PROBLEM BECAME THE AC LINES. THEY BEGAN TO LEAK DUE TO RUST, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR, 70,000 MILE WA…

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER WITH 32,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW FROM THE DEALER. OVER THE FEW YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE BEEN FACED WITH A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES. MY FIRST PROBLEM BECAME THE AC LINES. THEY BEGAN TO LEAK DUE TO RUST, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR, 70,000 MILE WARRANTY. NEXT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BEGAN TO LEAK. THE COST WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE DEALER MANAGED TO BREAK THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE. THE BREAKAGE WAS NOT COVERED, AND THEREFORE, I HAD TO PAY. FOLLOWING THESE TWO ISSUES, I NOTICED RUST ALL OVER THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED, I HAD TO FIX THE FOLLOWING ITEMS DUE TO THE RUST: THE POWER STEERING COIL, REAR END, TRANSMISSION, FUEL PUMP, POWER STEERING LINES, POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK AND PINION, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, AND A FUEL GAGE RECALL FROM GM. IN ADDITION, I AVOID USING LOW 4-WHEEL DRIVE, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE GETS STUCK IN THAT GEARING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608278

8,000 miles · Jul 4, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2006, BUT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT MY FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE. IT SHOWED EMPTY, AND, THEN 1/4 TANK. THE REAR WIPE…

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MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2006, BUT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT MY FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE. IT SHOWED EMPTY, AND, THEN 1/4 TANK. THE REAR WIPER SWEEPS WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608262

125,000 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER CONTROLS ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER. IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS IN GM VEHICLES SO I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS HAS YET TO BE RECALLED. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE $500+ LAYING AROUND TO GET THIS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607851

76,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

LEAVING PARKING LOT (& WANTING TO TURN ONTO ROAD) I APPLIED MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT BRAKES. MY FOOT & PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH NO BRAKE AT ALL. THANKFULLY NO CARS & GOING SLOW ENOUGH OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT END OF PARKING LOT, I FOUND MYSELF ENTERING ROAD & SEEING TREES ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD COMING UP …

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LEAVING PARKING LOT (& WANTING TO TURN ONTO ROAD) I APPLIED MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT BRAKES. MY FOOT & PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH NO BRAKE AT ALL. THANKFULLY NO CARS & GOING SLOW ENOUGH OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT END OF PARKING LOT, I FOUND MYSELF ENTERING ROAD & SEEING TREES ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD COMING UP QUICKLY. I GRABBED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. SCARED ME TO DEATH!!! VEHICLE THEN TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP. SHOP OWNER REPORT = HOLE RUBBED IN BRAKE LINE CLOSE TO DRIVER FIREWALL SEPARATING ENGINE FROM SEAT AREA. HE FURTHER SAID "BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 30+ YEARS AND HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. SEEMS LIKE A HUGE DESIGN FLAW." RUBBING ON ANOTHER LINE & PINHOLE THERE NOW - WHICH WOULD EXPLAIN WHY MY A/C WAS NOT WORKING ON DRIVER SIDE, BUT WORKING ON THE PASS SIDE. HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD AN ACCIDENT? HAVE ANOTHER (?)... IF GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT A PROBLEM FOR YRS ON SEVERAL MODELS: VERY WELL DOCUMENTED ON INTERNET BY HUNDREDS (IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS) - WHY WON'T NHTSA MAKE GM DO SOMETHING? PROBLEM = SPEED GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, & RADIO ALL OF A SUDDEN STOP WORKING ONE DAY. THEN SOME DAYS THEY ALL WORK, SOME DAYS ONLY 1 WORK, SOME DAYS 2 WORK??? AN EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION OR COMPUTER GLITCH? HAPPENED ABOUT 75K MILES ON BOTH MY AUTO & MY DAD'S 2005 CHEVY PICKUP. I LIVE IN SE, HE LIVES IN NE. TWO AREAS OF US; YET EACH DEALERSHIP WANTED ABOUT $600.00 TO FIX IT. CALLED GM: NO HELP AVAILABLE!! SEARCHED INTERNET FOR REPAIR FIX, & NOTICED TONS OF UNHAPPY OWNERS W/ SAME PROBLEM: GM WOULD NOT HELP THEM PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM - EVEN THOUGH IT'S THEIR EQUIPMENT PROBLEM. CLEARLY IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE: NO ONE CAN TELL HOW FAST ACTUALLY GOING & LED TO MANY ACCIDENTS & SPEEDING TICKETS I'M SURE! TIME NHTSA STEPS IN DON'T YOU THINK? THEN HAVE THE BRAKE/AC LINE RUBBING ISSUE - CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE & I HOPE YOU DO SOMETHING! I STILL HAVE THE BRAKE LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607447

109,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I FELT MY TRUCK LOSE POWER A FEW TIMES WHILE SLOWING TO STOP AS WELL AS TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. MY FUEL TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY HALF FULL AND IT KEPT FEELING LIKE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT FINALLY KICKED …

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I FELT MY TRUCK LOSE POWER A FEW TIMES WHILE SLOWING TO STOP AS WELL AS TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. MY FUEL TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY HALF FULL AND IT KEPT FEELING LIKE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND I ALMOST RAN INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606533

120,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Electrical System

ODOMETER NOW READS ZERO, DO NOT KNOW SPEED. GAS GAUGE READS ZERO. IF REAR DEFROST IS ON AND A/C UNIT IS ON THE FUSE FOR THE SYSTEM WILL BLOW. RADIO SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606420

113,000 miles · Jun 22, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE I HEARD A "DING" FOLLOWED BY GAS EMPTY LIGHT INDICATOR. THE SUV WILL NOW NOT MOVE OFF OF "E" AND THE EMPTY LIGHT INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605079

86,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK THE GAS GAUGE WENT FROM SHOWING A FULL TANK TO SHOWING EMPTY AND THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MILES THE GAS GAUGE WAS SHOWING A HALF TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598785

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

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.