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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.

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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.

7 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

237 reports
88,000 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Electrical System

2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT LS. THE SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370717

49,392 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Air BagsSuspension

I TOOK A LEFT TURN WITH MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT. AND FISHTAILED ON SOME ICE AND MY SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET AND GM HAS TOLD THOSE PEOPLE THAT THE BLACK BOX SAID THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ANTICIPATED A ROLLOVER AND THEY HAVE NOT PAID TO HAVE THE DAMAGE FIXED. I HAVE…

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I TOOK A LEFT TURN WITH MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT. AND FISHTAILED ON SOME ICE AND MY SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET AND GM HAS TOLD THOSE PEOPLE THAT THE BLACK BOX SAID THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ANTICIPATED A ROLLOVER AND THEY HAVE NOT PAID TO HAVE THE DAMAGE FIXED. I HAVE TOLD GM THIS HAS HAPPENED AND AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM BUT AM EXPECTING THE SAME VERDICT THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS RECEIVED. I DON'T SEE HOW FISHTAILING ON WET PAVEMENT, ICE, OR IN SOME INSTANCES OR AROUND SOMETHING CAN CAUSE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I HAVE AIRBAGS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED, THE INTERIOR ROOF NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND THE SEAT BELTS ARE ALL LOCKED UP AND CAN'T BE USED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370629

80,000 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineCrash

MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IS COMPLETELY GOING CRAZY IT SEEMS EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IS GOING WRONG WITH IT. I AM AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE OR MY KIDS DRIVE IN IT BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO GO WRONG WHILE DRIVING. MY WHOLE GAS SYSTEM IS GONE FROM FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR TO THE GAUGE. MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS NOT WORKING. LIGHTS A…

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MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IS COMPLETELY GOING CRAZY IT SEEMS EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IS GOING WRONG WITH IT. I AM AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE OR MY KIDS DRIVE IN IT BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO GO WRONG WHILE DRIVING. MY WHOLE GAS SYSTEM IS GONE FROM FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR TO THE GAUGE. MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS NOT WORKING. LIGHTS ARE GOING OUT. WHAT IS CRAZY ABOUT THIS IS THAT I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED. WAITING FOR FATALITIES BEFORE MAKING CHEVY FIXES THERE AWFULLY MADE VEHICLES IS UNACCEPTABLE. I UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION OUR ECONOMY IS IN BUT THESE THOUSANDS OF TRAILBLAZER OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS SHOULDN'T BE PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO BE GETTING THERE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FIXED. I DO NOT KNOW ONE OWNER OF A 2006 TRAILBLAZER THAT DOES NOT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS UNETHICAL AND CHEVY INSTEAD OF STEPPING UP AND FIXING THERE PROBLEM ARE MAKING THERE LOYAL CUSTOMERS SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING THERE MISTAKE. IT IS TRULY SAD THAT I DO NOT TRUST TAKING MY VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY IN IT BECAUSE OF BEING AFRAID MY VEHICLE WILL FAIL TO DRIVE OR MALFUNCTION. PLEASE HOLD CHEVY ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE THEM FIX OUR POORLY MAD AND UNSAFE VEHICLES SO WE CAN FEEL SAFE DRIVING OUR FAMILY AROUND AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369601

86,000 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Exterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

I REQUESTS THAT NHTSA OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PERFORMANCE/RELIABILITY OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES. I ALLEGE THAT THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD RESULT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, STALL, AND BEING REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I ALSO…

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I REQUESTS THAT NHTSA OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PERFORMANCE/RELIABILITY OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES. I ALLEGE THAT THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD RESULT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, STALL, AND BEING REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I ALSO ALLEGE THAT THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT COVER ASSEMBLY LOCATED ABOVE THE REAR HATCH ON THESE VEHICLES ROUTINELY FAILS RESULTING IN THE ASSEMBLY FALLING OFF OF THE TRUCK AND WOULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING BEHIND THE TRAILBLAZER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369595

56,000 miles · Dec 4, 2010
Electrical System

2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, CAR JUST DIES INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVYS AND WAS SURPRISED TO NOTICE THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS THAT ARE GOIN UNHEARD FROM GM AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE DRIVING IN THE CAR. THIS SHOULD B INVESTIGATED IMM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369180

60,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

GAS GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK ON A 2005 TRAILBLAZER. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368622

82,000 miles · Nov 28, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE AN 05 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 4.2L WITH 90000 MILES AND LAST MARCH THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING BUT NOT BEFORE WE RAN OUT OF FUEL 2 TIMES NOT KNOWING THAT THE GAUGE WAS GIVING A FALSE READING.THE OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE ON A BUSY STREET. VERY SCARY WHEN YOU HAVE THREE INNOCENT LITTLE GIRLS UNDER THE…

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I HAVE AN 05 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 4.2L WITH 90000 MILES AND LAST MARCH THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING BUT NOT BEFORE WE RAN OUT OF FUEL 2 TIMES NOT KNOWING THAT THE GAUGE WAS GIVING A FALSE READING.THE OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE ON A BUSY STREET. VERY SCARY WHEN YOU HAVE THREE INNOCENT LITTLE GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 3 THAT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. FROM DOING MY RESEARCH I SEE THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND A DANGEROUS ONE AT THAT BECAUSE WHEN THE TRUCK STOPS RUNNING YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368062

70,000 miles · Nov 26, 2010
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL ITEMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. MAIN ISSUE IS THE SPEEDOMETER AS I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367926

38,000 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR GIVES FALSE READINGS ON THE GAS GAGE. I'VE HAD TWO CHEVY TRUCKS IN 6 YEARS AND BOTH HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND GIVES FALSE GAS READINGS. WHAT IF THE GAGE SAID 1/2 FULL AND IT REALLY WAS ON EMPTY AND I RAN OUT OF GAS IN RUSH OUR TRAFFIC. THAT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE'S 1,00…

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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR GIVES FALSE READINGS ON THE GAS GAGE. I'VE HAD TWO CHEVY TRUCKS IN 6 YEARS AND BOTH HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND GIVES FALSE GAS READINGS. WHAT IF THE GAGE SAID 1/2 FULL AND IT REALLY WAS ON EMPTY AND I RAN OUT OF GAS IN RUSH OUR TRAFFIC. THAT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE'S 1,000'S OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE HOLDS GM ACCOUNTABLE. EVEN THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S A BIG PROBLEM. I HAD A 2000 CHEVY S10 AND A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365681

62,600 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Fuel System, Other

LAST NIGHT (11/01/2010) I WENT TO FILL MY GAS TANK. IT SHOWED I HAD 1/4 TANK FULL. I ADDED $50.00 OF GASOLINE AT $2.52/GAL. THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH. I TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT CREPT TO 1/2 TANK. I FIGURED IT'D TAKE A FEW SECONDS....WRONG!!!! AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, IT CREPT DOWN TO 1/4 TANK AGAIN AND STAYED TH…

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LAST NIGHT (11/01/2010) I WENT TO FILL MY GAS TANK. IT SHOWED I HAD 1/4 TANK FULL. I ADDED $50.00 OF GASOLINE AT $2.52/GAL. THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH. I TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT CREPT TO 1/2 TANK. I FIGURED IT'D TAKE A FEW SECONDS....WRONG!!!! AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, IT CREPT DOWN TO 1/4 TANK AGAIN AND STAYED THERE. I MADE IT TO MY FIRST DESTINATION AND ASKED THE KIDS TO GET DOWN AND LOOK UNDER THE CAR AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING, ANYWHERE LEAKING. NOTHING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO SWIFTLY RISE AND MADE IT TO 3/4 OF A TANK WHEN IT SUDDENLY DROPPED TO EMPTY WHERE IT STAYED. CHIMES ARE GOING OFF THAT I HAVE NO GAS. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND RESTARTED IT. GAUGE ROSE TO ONLY 1/4 TANK. I DROVE HOME. THIS MORNING, I STARTED THE CAR AND IT ROSE TO 3/4 TANK AND STAYED THAT WAY ALL THE WAY TO WORK (15 MIN. RIDE). THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. I CAME ONLINE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT MAY BE HAPPENING AND SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PHENOMENON EVEN THOUGH GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YRS OLD AND HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS BARELY BROKEN IN AND IT SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT BE HAVING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363705

Official recalls

0

No 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

2

PE11014 · 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.