FUEL LEVEL SENSOR READS ALWAYS AS EMPTY. NO MATTER THE REAL LEVEL IS. *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
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.
What owners actually said
1,466 reportsTHE GAS GAUGE BEGAN BY ONLY WORKING PERIODICALLY AND NOW EITHER INDICATES A FULL TANK OR EMPTY TANK, (MOSTLY EMPTY) AT ALL TIMES REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL LEVEL IN THE TANK. *TR
TWO DAYS AFTER FILLING TANK, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 250 MILES, BUT THE GAUGE STILL READ 3/4 FULL. MY WIFE THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO WORK THAT AFTERNOON, THINKING THERE WAS 3/4 TANK OF FUEL LEFT SHE DID NOT FILL UP FOR THE 80 MILE ROUND TRIP. HALF WAY HOME AT 3:00 AM SHE RUNS OUT OF GAS IN T…
Read full complaint
TWO DAYS AFTER FILLING TANK, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 250 MILES, BUT THE GAUGE STILL READ 3/4 FULL. MY WIFE THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO WORK THAT AFTERNOON, THINKING THERE WAS 3/4 TANK OF FUEL LEFT SHE DID NOT FILL UP FOR THE 80 MILE ROUND TRIP. HALF WAY HOME AT 3:00 AM SHE RUNS OUT OF GAS IN THE WORST SECTION OF PHOENIX YOU CAN IMAGINE. AS SHE WORKS IN AN INNER CITY HOSPITAL, SHE DRIVES THROUGH THIS SECTION OF THE CITY DAILY AND WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE SURE SHE HAS A RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR THE TRIP. FORTUNATELY A POLICE OFFICER STOPPED AND STAYED WITH HER UNTIL AAA SHOWED UP. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO A WOMAN ALONE IN A DRUG INFESTED AREA OF THE CITY WHILE HER VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN FOR A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. *TR
FAULTY SPEEDOMETER - READS 60MPH WHEN AT A STOP - UNDER WARRANTY - DEALERSHIP REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL CURRENT PROBLEMS - GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN TANK JUS FILLED, LIGHTS DIM AND BRIGHTEN INTERMITTENTLY, REPLACED BATTERY 9/2011 THINKING PROBLEM WITH BATTERY WHEN CAR JUST DIED ON ME, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST GOES OFF…
Read full complaint
FAULTY SPEEDOMETER - READS 60MPH WHEN AT A STOP - UNDER WARRANTY - DEALERSHIP REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL CURRENT PROBLEMS - GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN TANK JUS FILLED, LIGHTS DIM AND BRIGHTEN INTERMITTENTLY, REPLACED BATTERY 9/2011 THINKING PROBLEM WITH BATTERY WHEN CAR JUST DIED ON ME, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST GOES OFF AND ON, REPLACED FRONT LEFT HEAD LAMP AND WITHIN 1 WEEK THE SAME BULB IS DEAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH REPAIRING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,83…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH REPAIRING THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,838.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE TRIED TO ADD FUEL IT WOULD SPILL BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER STATING THEY W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY WHEN THERE WAS FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE TRIED TO ADD FUEL IT WOULD SPILL BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER STATING THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL SENSOR FOR $600 AND THEY WOULD PAY FIFTY PERCENT OF THE COST. THE CONSUMERS CAN ONLY TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THERE WAS NO NHTSA RECALL LETTER FROM THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE OR DETAILS REGARDING WHY THEY HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
JUST ONE DAY WE GOT IN THE CAR TO HEAD TO THE GROCERY STORE AND AS WE WERE HEADING THERE I LOOKED DOWN AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS AT 20 WHEN I WAS CLEARLY DOING 55. I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN RESTARTED HOPING IT WOULD FIX ITSELF AND NOTHING. I HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT SINCE THEN. I WENT TO THE LOCAL CHEVY D…
Read full complaint
JUST ONE DAY WE GOT IN THE CAR TO HEAD TO THE GROCERY STORE AND AS WE WERE HEADING THERE I LOOKED DOWN AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS AT 20 WHEN I WAS CLEARLY DOING 55. I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN RESTARTED HOPING IT WOULD FIX ITSELF AND NOTHING. I HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT SINCE THEN. I WENT TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND ASKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE RECALLS ON EVERY CHEVY SUV AND TRUCK EXCEPT TRAILBLAZER AND TOLD ME TO INPUT A COMPLAINT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD RECALL THIS ISSUE. I ASKED THEM HOW TO DO THAT AND THEY SAID TO CONTACT CHEVY. THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. THE BULL**** THING IS THAT EVERY CHEVY TRUCK AND SUV FROM 2003 TO 2007 USE THE SAME INSTRUMENT PANEL SO YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT THIS PATICULAR VEHICLE IS NOT LIKE THE TAHOE, SUBERBAN, OR SILVERADO THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS I AM HAVING. I AM PISSED THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAULTY PART THAT CHEVY KNOWS IS AN ISSUE. *TT
I BOUGHT MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER NEW IN 2006. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO USE A BUNGEE CORD TO KEEP IT SHUT UNTIL I GOT IT IN TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT. I WAS TOLD THAT SOMEHOW WATER GOT INSIDE THE DOOR AND DAMAGED THE COMPONENTS MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO SHUT BUT WARNED ME IF IT WAS OPENED AGAIN …
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER NEW IN 2006. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO USE A BUNGEE CORD TO KEEP IT SHUT UNTIL I GOT IT IN TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT. I WAS TOLD THAT SOMEHOW WATER GOT INSIDE THE DOOR AND DAMAGED THE COMPONENTS MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO SHUT BUT WARNED ME IF IT WAS OPENED AGAIN IT MAY NOT SHUT SO IT HAS BEEN DUCT-TAPED UP SO MY CHILDREN WON'T INADVERTENTLY USE IT. I NOTICED RUST ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE MOON ROOF VERY EARLY ON. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED GENTLY FROM THE BACK PORTION OF THE HANDLE AS IT APPEARS IT IS GOING TO BREAK OFF IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE REAR HATCH AND ALSO THE GLASS PORTION OF THE HATCH BACK HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNLOCKED A COUPLE TIMES BY PRESSING THE AUTO UNLOCK ON THE KEY REPEATEDLY (MORE THAN 3 TIMES HE SAID) I HAVE NOT BEEN AS FORTUNATE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE REAR QUARTERS NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY, THEN FULL THEN EMPTY AGAIN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON, ALSO CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE, RUSTED WHILE DRIVING TIRE HANGING. *TR
MY TRAILBLAZER FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING, FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER FILLING,GAS GAUGE LIGHTS UP BUT TANK FILLED. *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.
Illustration