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2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext

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

216 reports with mileage · 45 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 145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

145 reports
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81,524 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Electrical System

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING, ONLY THE TEMP GAUGE AND THE FUEL GAUGE WORKS. THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGES DO NOT WORK. I BELIEVE GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS AS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416586

95,000 miles · Jun 27, 2011
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER GOES COMPLETELY OUT, FALLING BELOW ZERO WHILE TRAVELING ON ROAD, TYPICALLY AFTER CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN USED, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FLASH WHILE ONSTAR AND COMPUTER SHOWING NO CODES AFTER 4X4 USED. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS BECAUSE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND AFTER VEHICLE PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS PROBLEM IS GONE…

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SPEEDOMETER GOES COMPLETELY OUT, FALLING BELOW ZERO WHILE TRAVELING ON ROAD, TYPICALLY AFTER CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN USED, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FLASH WHILE ONSTAR AND COMPUTER SHOWING NO CODES AFTER 4X4 USED. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS BECAUSE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND AFTER VEHICLE PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS PROBLEM IS GONE. OCCURS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. HAS CAUSED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF BEING UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW FAST YOUR TRAVELING. 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT LT 4X4 I6 ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409127

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2011
Electrical System

MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS AN INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT STOPPED WORKING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, WHAT MY OIL PRESSURE IS, THE TEMPERATURE OF MY CAR, OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. I CONTACTED A REPAIR SHOP BUT IT IS OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE PANEL AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAP…

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MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS AN INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT STOPPED WORKING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, WHAT MY OIL PRESSURE IS, THE TEMPERATURE OF MY CAR, OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. I CONTACTED A REPAIR SHOP BUT IT IS OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE PANEL AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. APPARENTLY I AM BEING TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS YEAR AND MAKE BUT THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405851

41,000 miles · May 26, 2011
Electrical System

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DASH CLUSTER. I HAVE 43,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DASH GAUGES WENT OUT. THEY STARTED TO WORK AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND NOW THEY COME ON ONLY ABOUT 1 OUT OF 4 TRIPS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? PLEASE HELP …

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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DASH CLUSTER. I HAVE 43,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DASH GAUGES WENT OUT. THEY STARTED TO WORK AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND NOW THEY COME ON ONLY ABOUT 1 OUT OF 4 TRIPS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402787

87,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE STARTING WITH TACHOMETER THEN SPEEDOMETER. AT 90,000 +/- MILES ALWAYS HAVE INTERMITTENT / OBVIOUSLY WRONG INFO FROM TACHOMETER (USUALLY PAST 7000) AND SPEEDOMETER (ALWAYS READS <20 MPH). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399810

50,000 miles · May 3, 2011
Electrical System

ON OUR 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THE ONLY GAUGE THAT WORKS ALL THE TIME IS THE SPEEDOMETER. MOST OF THE OTHER GAUGES ' INCLUDING THE FUEL GAUGE, TACHOMETER, ETC, ' DON'T WORK AT ALL! THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONLY SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY: THE AIRBAG LI…

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ON OUR 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THE ONLY GAUGE THAT WORKS ALL THE TIME IS THE SPEEDOMETER. MOST OF THE OTHER GAUGES ' INCLUDING THE FUEL GAUGE, TACHOMETER, ETC, ' DON'T WORK AT ALL! THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONLY SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY: THE AIRBAG LIGHT, ABS BRAKES LIGHT, AND 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT UNPREDICTABLY REMAIN LIT ' NOT ALWAYS AT THE SAME TIME - SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AT A TIME WHEN THE CAR IS ON. THERE IS NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON AND WHEN THEY WILL REMAIN OFF. I AM REPORTING THESE PROBLEMS TO YOU SINCE I READ THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 2005 THROUGH 2007 TRAILBLAZERS. I FEEL YOU SHOULD EXPAND YOUR RESEARCH TO INCLUDE 2004 TRAILBLAZERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398727

90,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 90MPH ON A TRIP AND CARS WERE PASSING ME, WHEN I STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER READ 35MPH STANDING STILL. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS, THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE OTHER DAY COMING HOME FROM A TRIP IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ACTING UP AGAIN, BUT MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, HE THOUGHT IT WAS ACTING UP TOO. IT IS BACK…

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SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 90MPH ON A TRIP AND CARS WERE PASSING ME, WHEN I STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER READ 35MPH STANDING STILL. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS, THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE OTHER DAY COMING HOME FROM A TRIP IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ACTING UP AGAIN, BUT MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, HE THOUGHT IT WAS ACTING UP TOO. IT IS BACK TO NORMAL, HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393751

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2011
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 6 MONTHS ABOUT. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE AND JUST PRAYING WE DO NOT GET A SPEEDING TICKET. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON EVEN WHEN RESET. I AM NOT BEING TOLD I NEED TO CHECK THE FUSE WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I CAN O…

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THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 6 MONTHS ABOUT. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE AND JUST PRAYING WE DO NOT GET A SPEEDING TICKET. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON EVEN WHEN RESET. I AM NOT BEING TOLD I NEED TO CHECK THE FUSE WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE IF THE NEXT THING TO GO WILL BE ALL THE ELECTRONICS IN THE DASHBOARD. THIS SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ITEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380757

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2011
Electrical System

I AM HAVING MULTIPLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEMS ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. THEY HAVE DONE RECALLS ON EVERY TYPE OF CHEVY TRUCK BUT THE TRAILBLAZER. WHY NOT THE TRAILBLAZER AS WELL? I HAVE BEEN READING FORUMS AFTER FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS NEEDS FIXED OTHERWISE TH…

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I AM HAVING MULTIPLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEMS ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. THEY HAVE DONE RECALLS ON EVERY TYPE OF CHEVY TRUCK BUT THE TRAILBLAZER. WHY NOT THE TRAILBLAZER AS WELL? I HAVE BEEN READING FORUMS AFTER FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS NEEDS FIXED OTHERWISE THERE MAY BE FATAL ACCIDENTS BY ENGINES BLOWING UP FROM THE OIL PSI GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND SO ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378640

66,000 miles · Jan 22, 2011
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT OPERATES INCORRECTLY. THE SPEED INDICATOR STICKS, GOES OVER 120 MILES AN HOUR AND STAYS THERE, AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. THIS IS AN EVERYDAY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378237

Official recalls

1

04V527000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Nov 1, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, 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

3

RQ17002 · 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.

EA07009 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline

Opened Jul 10, 2007 · Closed Aug 28, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.

EA04021 · Brake Lamp Failure

Opened Aug 3, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.