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
What owners actually said
237 reports
66,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Fuel System, Diesel
IN 2009, I NOTICED SIGNIFICANT DROPS IN THE FUEL LEVEL LEADING ME TO THINK PEOPLE WERE STEALING GAS FROM MY TANK FROM MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT. AFTER INSTALLING A LOCKING GAS CAP I REALIZED IT WAS A MALFUNCTION, NOT THEFT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT RISE ABOVE 1/4 TANK EVEN WHEN FULL, BUT SPENDS MOST OF I…
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IN 2009, I NOTICED SIGNIFICANT DROPS IN THE FUEL LEVEL LEADING ME TO THINK PEOPLE WERE STEALING GAS FROM MY TANK FROM MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT. AFTER INSTALLING A LOCKING GAS CAP I REALIZED IT WAS A MALFUNCTION, NOT THEFT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT RISE ABOVE 1/4 TANK EVEN WHEN FULL, BUT SPENDS MOST OF ITS TIME ON EMPTY. I HAVE STALLED WHILE DRIVING TWICE BECAUSE I CAN ONLY ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE BY THE TRIP ODOMETER. IN APRIL 2011 I LEARNED ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400584
68,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE DEFECTIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399862
40,000 miles · May 5, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
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
NHTSA ODI #10399170
41,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Fuel System, Other
OUR GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING ON OUR 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WE HAD WARRANTY ON THE SUV BUT IT FAILED JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. THE ESTIMATED COST TO FIX IT WAS NOT IN OUR BUDGET. WE HAVE TO TRACK OUR MILEAGE AFTER EACH FILL-UP. MY SON RAN OUT OF GAS ONE TIME AS A RESULT OF THE BAD GAUGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399154
60,000 miles · May 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
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
NHTSA ODI #10398548
102,000 miles · May 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE ON 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER IS NOT WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398473
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE HAD A FAULTY GAS GAUGE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR; WHEN I FILL UP MY TANK IT ALWAYS SAYS I AM ON "E." THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, I AM ALWAYS AFRAID OF RUNNING OUT AND STALLING, ETC. I WAS QUOTED $1200 FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH I DON'T HAVE. I NEED HELP ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398472
32,000 miles · May 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WOULD BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN EMPTY AND HALF A TANK NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN IT AT FIRST. THEN WITHIN THREE MONTHS IT QUIT ALL TOGETHER. NOW IT JUST SITS ON EMPTY ALL THE TIME..REPEATEDLY DINGING AT ME BECAUSE IT REA…
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I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WOULD BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN EMPTY AND HALF A TANK NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN IT AT FIRST. THEN WITHIN THREE MONTHS IT QUIT ALL TOGETHER. NOW IT JUST SITS ON EMPTY ALL THE TIME..REPEATEDLY DINGING AT ME BECAUSE IT READS AN EMPTY TANK AT ALL TIMES. I CAN STOP AT THE GAS STATION AND FILL THE TANK AND START IT UP AND IT SITS ON EMPTY AND WILL DING AT ME WITHIN 5 MINUTES TO TELL ME THE TANK IS EMPTY. TRYING TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK HAS BECOME A GUESSING GAME. CONSIDERING I AM ALMOST ALWAYS DRIVING AROUND WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR IT IS QUITE SCARY TO THINK OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. I HAVE RESEARCHED SCORES OF FORUMS WITH OTHER OWNERS SUFFERING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND YET CHEVROLET HAS NO CONCERNS. THEY WOULD RATHER PROFIT FROM THE ESTIMATED $1800 REPAIR BILL. WITH THE ECONOMY IN THE SHAPE IT IS THERE ARE ALOT OF US FORCED TO ENDURE THE PROBLEM AND KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED WE DON'T GET HIT IF WE MISTAKENLY GUESS WE HAVE MORE GAS THAN IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. THIS IS ON TOP OF THE WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT AT 40,000 MILES WHICH WE PAID TO REPLACE ALONG WITH THE THERMOSTAT BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER HEATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398425
95,000 miles · Apr 30, 2011
Electrical System
2005 TRAILBLAZER FAULTY FUEL SENSOR. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY ALL THE TIME. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. IP CLUSTER REPLACED FIRST AT COST OF $400.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398327
75,000 miles · Apr 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT... MY FUEL TANK LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF I WOULD FILL MY TANK UP AND IT WOULD NEVER GO OFF. I ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE THIS IN AND PAID 1000.00 FOR A NEW FUEL TANK... I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND THIS IS A VERY EXTREMELY COMMON THING ON CHEVY TRAILBLAZER'S... IT WAS RIGHT ABOUT 75,000 MI…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT... MY FUEL TANK LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF I WOULD FILL MY TANK UP AND IT WOULD NEVER GO OFF. I ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE THIS IN AND PAID 1000.00 FOR A NEW FUEL TANK... I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND THIS IS A VERY EXTREMELY COMMON THING ON CHEVY TRAILBLAZER'S... IT WAS RIGHT ABOUT 75,000 MILES THAT THIS HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396974
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.
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext 370 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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