IllustrationCHEVROLET '05 TRAILBLAZER, FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. AFTER A FILL STILL SHOWS EMPTY. *TR
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext 370
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trailblazer Ext 370 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
100–25K
4025–50K
6550–75K
5475–100K
25100–150K
6150K+
200 reports with mileage · 37 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 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
67 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT370. THE CONTACT DISPENSED FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE EMPTY READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT370. THE CONTACT DISPENSED FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE EMPTY READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/15/11
FUEL GAUGE IS NEVER RIGHT. IT GOES TO EMPTY WHEN YOU FILL IT; AND THEN READS OTHER READINGS INTERMITTENTLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. *TR
FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING IN 2010. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK ON MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT. *TR
2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER - MALFUNCTIONING FUEL GAUGE, ERRATIC READING, SAFETY ISSUE, WAS STUCK ON HIGHWAY OUT OF FUEL DUE TO GAUGE ERROR. I WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT SUPPLIES GM SO KNOW WELL THEY ARE AWARE, BUT CHOOSE TO MISLEAD AND SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE, THEY DO KNOW BUT CHOOSE TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE AN UNETHICAL. THOUSAN…
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2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER - MALFUNCTIONING FUEL GAUGE, ERRATIC READING, SAFETY ISSUE, WAS STUCK ON HIGHWAY OUT OF FUEL DUE TO GAUGE ERROR. I WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT SUPPLIES GM SO KNOW WELL THEY ARE AWARE, BUT CHOOSE TO MISLEAD AND SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE, THEY DO KNOW BUT CHOOSE TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE AN UNETHICAL. THOUSANDS OF ISSUES NATIONWIDE ON TRAILBLAZERS AND OTHER MODELS USING THIS GAUGE. *TR
FUEL GAUGE DEFECTIVE. *TR
THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN AUGUST OF 2009 - I FILLED MY GAS TANK, WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AFTERWARDS THE FUEL GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO FULL, THEN IMMEDIATELY BACK DOWN TO EMPTY. THE GAUGE HAS FLUCTUATED EVER SINCE, MOSTLY STAYING ON EMPTY WITH THE LOW GAS LIGHT ALWAYS ON. TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS, AS A REMINDER TO MYSELF I RES…
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THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN AUGUST OF 2009 - I FILLED MY GAS TANK, WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AFTERWARDS THE FUEL GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO FULL, THEN IMMEDIATELY BACK DOWN TO EMPTY. THE GAUGE HAS FLUCTUATED EVER SINCE, MOSTLY STAYING ON EMPTY WITH THE LOW GAS LIGHT ALWAYS ON. TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS, AS A REMINDER TO MYSELF I RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER EVERY TIME I FILL UP, THEN FILL THE TANK AGAIN WHEN I REACH 250 MILES. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, SO I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET BECAUSE THE COST IS MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD AT THIS TIME. *TR
THE CAR HAS STALLED SHUT DOWN TWICE, ONCE AT A STOP SIGN AND THE OTHER WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. MECHANIC CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO COMPUTER GENERATED CODES TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE GAS GAUGE HAS PRETTY MUCH FAILED, WILL ONLY READ BETWEEN 1/4 AND EMPTY. UNKNOWN IF THIS IS RELATED, BUT HAVE BEEN …
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THE CAR HAS STALLED SHUT DOWN TWICE, ONCE AT A STOP SIGN AND THE OTHER WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. MECHANIC CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO COMPUTER GENERATED CODES TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE GAS GAUGE HAS PRETTY MUCH FAILED, WILL ONLY READ BETWEEN 1/4 AND EMPTY. UNKNOWN IF THIS IS RELATED, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD OTHER DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
FUEL GAUGE ON 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER IS NOT WORKING. *TR
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
2PE11014 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
Opened Apr 25, 2011 · Closed Sep 23, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special coverage bulletin instructing dealers to install a new design fuel level sensor.The bulletin was sent to dealers on August 10, 2011 and the owner letter mailing began on August 15, 2011.See the investigative file for copies of GM's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Other
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special coverage bulletin instructing dealers to install a new design fuel level sensor.The bulletin was sent to dealers on August 10, 2011 and the owner letter mailing began on August 15, 2011.See the investigative file for copies of GM's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special coverage bulletin instructing dealers to install a new design fuel level sensor.The bulletin was sent to dealers on August 10, 2011 and the owner letter mailing began on August 15, 2011.See the investigative file for copies of GM's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.
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.