1, NORMAL DRIVING BEFORE FAILURE. 2. THE SPEEDOMETER IS ENTIRELY INACCURATE EVEN IN PARK. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE OR CAN BE DONE TO FIX. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext
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 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
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.
Electrical System complaints
145 reports1. FUEL TANK FAILURE, WITH GAS SMELL AFTER FILL UP. 2. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING 3. TEMPERATURE GAGE STOPPED WORKING
MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT 116,000 MILES AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO ZERO. IT CONTINUED TO STAY AT ZERO AFTER I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT, IT STAYED AT ZERO UNTIL HALFWAY THROUGH MY DRIVE WHEN NOW ITS STUCK AT 61 MPH, WHICH IS WHERE MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET. THE TACH NOW …
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MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT 116,000 MILES AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO ZERO. IT CONTINUED TO STAY AT ZERO AFTER I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT, IT STAYED AT ZERO UNTIL HALFWAY THROUGH MY DRIVE WHEN NOW ITS STUCK AT 61 MPH, WHICH IS WHERE MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET. THE TACH NOW WORKS HALF THE TIME BUT THE SPEEDOMETER IS GIVING ME MISLEADING INFORMATION. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN WHERE THE WEATHER IS SUCH A VARIABLE. I AM ALWAYS USING MY SPEEDOMETER IN CERTAIN ROAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE CERTAIN SPEEDS I GO IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS (LIGHT SNOW, DEEPER SNOW, RAIN TO FREEZING RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, SLUSHY CONDITIONS, ICE, SLEET AND JUST PLAIN NORMAL.) CONSEQUENCES FOR NOT RETAINING THE CORRECT SPEEDS IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS IN WISCONSIN....GEE LET ME THINK....DEATH WOULD PROBABLY BE THE WORST. NOTHING'S BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS YET BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD IT. IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT SHOULD JUST WORK AND ITS A [XXX] SHAME GM HASN'T DONE ANYTHING YET CONSIDERING ALL THE PROBLEMS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL ISSUE WITH TACHOMETER ACTUALLY EXCEEDING 7000RPM WHILE VEHICLE IS IDLING. I DID A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CLUSTER PANEL MALFUNCTIONING. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE VIA NHTSA TO SEE WHAT MAY BE ABLE TO BE DONE OR IF THERE WAS ALREADY A FORMAL RECAL…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL ISSUE WITH TACHOMETER ACTUALLY EXCEEDING 7000RPM WHILE VEHICLE IS IDLING. I DID A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CLUSTER PANEL MALFUNCTIONING. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE VIA NHTSA TO SEE WHAT MAY BE ABLE TO BE DONE OR IF THERE WAS ALREADY A FORMAL RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT. I HAVE TRIED REMOVING THE CLUSTER PANEL FUSE FROM THE FUSE BOX THEN STARTING VEHICLE THEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND REPLACING THE FUSE TO RECALIBRATE IT. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE RESEARCH IS THAT THE STEPPER MOTORS USED IN THE PANEL ARE FAULTY. *TR
ELECTRICAL - ALL GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING AND THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
MY SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. HALF THE TIME IT SITS ON 0 THE OTHER HALF IT GOES 120MPH. I NEVER HAVE A CLUE HOW FAST I AM GOING. *TR
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGES STARTED WORKING ERRATICALLY AROUND SUMMER 2009. SPEEDO AND GAUGES STICK OR PEG OUT DAILY. GM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS THEIR PROBLEM YET THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS, OF BLOGS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL THE OTHER TRAILBLAZERS HAVE. POOR DESIGN AND SUBPAR MANUFACTURING OF PARTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES HAVE RESULTED IN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CANNOT BE FIXED.GAUGES AND LIGHTS RANDOMLY GOING CRAZY,HEAT AND A/C MAY OR MAY NOT OPERATE,VEHICLE MAY OR MAY NOT START,KEY MAY OR …
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MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL THE OTHER TRAILBLAZERS HAVE. POOR DESIGN AND SUBPAR MANUFACTURING OF PARTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES HAVE RESULTED IN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CANNOT BE FIXED.GAUGES AND LIGHTS RANDOMLY GOING CRAZY,HEAT AND A/C MAY OR MAY NOT OPERATE,VEHICLE MAY OR MAY NOT START,KEY MAY OR MAY NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION. IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES IN LAST TWO YEARS AND OFTEN BRAND NEW IGNITIONS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX FROM THE DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT ARE NO GOOD. AS OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ONE WOULD THINK TRAILBLAZER OWNERS SHOULD DESERVE THE SAME COURTESY.CLEARLY GM DISAGREES. I GUESS WHEN YOU KNOW UNCLE SAM WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO BAIL YOU OUT YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT AND STILL SLEEP GOOD AT NIGHT. I WOULDNT KNOW . AS THE PARENT OF FOUR CHILDREN THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH ME. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE IT AS I KNOW IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE.
ALL GAUGES FLUCTUATE CONSTANTLY OR STOP WORKING AT TIMES. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR IF THE CAR HAS APPROPRIATE FLUIDS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I HAVE FOUND VIA THE INTERNET THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.…
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ALL GAUGES FLUCTUATE CONSTANTLY OR STOP WORKING AT TIMES. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR IF THE CAR HAS APPROPRIATE FLUIDS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I HAVE FOUND VIA THE INTERNET THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
WE CURRENTLY OWN THREE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZERS - 2004, 2005, 2006. ON EACH ON THE THREE TRAILBLAZERS, THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS HAVE FAILED, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAGE, FUEL GAGE, AND ENGINE RPM INSTRUMENT. THE DRIVER NO LONGER HAS THE ABILITY TO VERIFY HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING, OR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WI…
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WE CURRENTLY OWN THREE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZERS - 2004, 2005, 2006. ON EACH ON THE THREE TRAILBLAZERS, THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS HAVE FAILED, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAGE, FUEL GAGE, AND ENGINE RPM INSTRUMENT. THE DRIVER NO LONGER HAS THE ABILITY TO VERIFY HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING, OR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, OR THE REMAINING FUEL IN THE GAS TANK. IN TAKING THE VEHICLES TO THE DEALER, THEY INSIST THAT IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT REPAIR REQUIRING DIAGNOSIS AND REMOVAL OF THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD CLUSTER AND ESTIMATE THE COSTS TO BE WELL OVER $1500 FOR THE REPAIR. SINCE THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON ALL THREE OF OUR CURRENTLY OWNED TRAILBLAZERS, THIS SUGGESTS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WITH THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD CLUSTER. *TR
Official recalls
104V527000 · 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
3RQ17002 · 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.
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