IllustrationWENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MY TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK HANDLE WAS RUSTED OFF (KIND OF HARD TO REMOVE IT). I CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE THAT REPLACES THEM EITHER.... *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
What owners actually said
1,466 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW FUEL SENSOR AND THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW FUEL SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW FUEL SENSOR AND THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW FUEL SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS AN EXTREMELY INACCURATE READING, OR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
IS NO LONGER WORKING BROKEN. *TR
WHEN MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, IT SHOWED I HAD FUEL IN MY TANK, TURNS OUT I DID NOT. I RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE IN MAINE..IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, AT NIGHT, ON ICY ROADS, TRAVELING AT APPROX 35 MILES AN HOUR. AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE POWER STEERING & BRAKING SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE CAN…
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WHEN MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, IT SHOWED I HAD FUEL IN MY TANK, TURNS OUT I DID NOT. I RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE IN MAINE..IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, AT NIGHT, ON ICY ROADS, TRAVELING AT APPROX 35 MILES AN HOUR. AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF FUEL, THE POWER STEERING & BRAKING SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS WELL AS VERY DANGEROUS... ESPECIALLY ON ICY ROADS IN MAINE IN JANUARY. I AM A YOUNG LADY AND HAPPENED TO BE ALL ALONE WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND NOT TO MENTION I WAS ABOUT 15 MILES AWAY FROM THE NEAREST GAS STATION.. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS NOT HAPPY. I WASN'T ABOUT TO HIKE THE INTERSTATE, BY MYSELF IN FREEZING COLD WEATHER AT NIGHT.. I DO NOT HAVE A DEATH WISH. ALTHOUGH I HAD TO SIT IN MY VEHICLE, WHERE I HAD NO HEAT, DUE TO NO FUEL, AND WAIT FOR OVER AN HOUR FOR MY DAD TO COME RESCUE ME. THIS IS NOT RIGHT, AND IT IS NOT THE CONSUMERS FAULT, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM, BECAUSE AS YOU'VE HEARD BY ME, AND MANY OTHERS, IT'S A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AND THEY NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS GO BACK INTO 2007, IT'S NOW 2012.. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? FATAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF YOUR STUPIDITY? MAKE IT RIGHT GM. YOU HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST OF THIS... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THE KEY BECAME SEIZED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THE KEY BECAME SEIZED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THE LEFT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED.....WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG THIS CAR! *TR
I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR! I HAVE HAD IT AT THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES. HE HAS REPLACED SOME SENSORS BUT THE CAR STILL...PUTTERS..PUTTERS.. AND PUTTERS......HELP!!! THE CAR JERKS, PUTTERS AND SOMETIMES DIES WHILE DRIVING! *TR
THE FUEL SENSOR LEVEL IS OUT. IT IS GOING TO BE QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX....AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT APPEARS SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL??? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID IMPACTING A DEER ON THE ROAD, HE CRASHED OFF A 9 FOOT EMBANKMENT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AFTER HIS HEAD CRASHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEVERE N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID IMPACTING A DEER ON THE ROAD, HE CRASHED OFF A 9 FOOT EMBANKMENT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AFTER HIS HEAD CRASHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEVERE NECK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER BUT THE RESULTS WERE INCONCLUSIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,429. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/31/12 *CN UPDATED 11/9/2012 *JS
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.