FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING ON 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MANY GMC PRODUCTS. *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
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
67 reportsI HAVE A 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 05. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR HAD REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON THEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. IT STARTED BACK UP AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD BUT HAD TO ENDURE THIS THE ENTIRE TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS I WAS TOLD THE …
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I HAVE A 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 05. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR HAD REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON THEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. IT STARTED BACK UP AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD BUT HAD TO ENDURE THIS THE ENTIRE TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS I WAS TOLD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AFTER HAVING THAT REPAIRED I DROVE HOME AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN THEY NOTICED AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM " THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WIRING WAS CHAFFING ON FUEL PUMP GROUND TERMINAL" OR IN LAYMAN'S TERM THE WIRE WAS SITTING IN FUEL SO THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL TANK AND REROUTE THE WIRES. THIS SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS AND IF THIS IS HAPPENING PLEASE REPORT IT. THERE ARE TSB REPORTS ON THE ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT GM HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS. THE QUESTION IS WHY NOT? I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED LAST YEAR AND AGAIN THIS YEAR. NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION THESE ARE VEHICLE DEFECTS NOT PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD BE HAVING WITH THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ISSUES. GM NEEDS TO ISSUE RECALLS TO HAVE THESE ISSUES RESOLVED. OH IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER PROBLEMS I ALSO JUST HAD TO HAVE THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED IN EARLY JUNE. *TR
A FEW MONTHS AGO, I STOPPED TO FILL UP MY GAS TANK. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS READING EMPTY AND THE LIGHT WAS ON. SINCE THEN, THE GAS GAUGE IS ERRATIC AND DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
GAS GAUGE STAYS ON EMPTY AND THE BELL RINGS EVEN WHEN FULL. *TR
THE GAS GAGE IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND IT'S OUT AGAIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET. *TR
ON TODAY I WENT TO FILL UP MY TANK DUE TO HURRICANE IKE. BEFORE I WENT TO THE GAS STATION ALL GAUGES WERE FINE BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO WORK I NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS ONE WITH THE LIGHT LIT. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT STAYED THE SAME. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED AND COVERED SOME TYPE OF RECALL. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE TRUE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. AFTER TALKING WITH CHEVROLET OWNERS AND DOING RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME. THE GAS GAUGE INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS EITHER EMPTY AFTER BEING RECENTLY FILLED OR ONLY SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE "E" ON THE GAS GAUGE. …
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THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE TRUE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. AFTER TALKING WITH CHEVROLET OWNERS AND DOING RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME. THE GAS GAUGE INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS EITHER EMPTY AFTER BEING RECENTLY FILLED OR ONLY SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE "E" ON THE GAS GAUGE. IT TAKES ABOUT TWO DAYS OR 12 STATUTORY MILES BEFORE THE GAS GAUGE BEGINS TO DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING, IF THAT IS EVEN TRUE! ON 30 APRIL 2008, DURING A FAMILY ROAD TRIP, THE GAS GAUGE BEGAN TO DISPLAY THAT THE GAS TANK WAS A QUARTER FULL AFTER BEING FILLED. AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER HOUR AND A HALF, THE GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THEN WENT BACK TO A QUARTER FULL. I GUESS CHEVROLET DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK, JUST ITS QUANTITY OF SALES. *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.
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