Illustration2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT MODEL HAD DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. CONSTANTLY SHOWING WRONG SPEED, AND STUCK BETWEEN 50 AND 120 MPH EVEN WHEN PARKED. *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
170–25K
4925–50K
6550–75K
4675–100K
24100–150K
15150K+
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 reportsSPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ALL STOPPED WORKING ON 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. *TR
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON; THEN MY OIL GAUGE STARTED GOING WACKY, FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER; NEXT, MY GAS GAUGE WASN'T READING CORRECTLY AND I HAD TO KEEP PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR JUST TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T RUN OUT BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T TRUST THE GAUGE. THE GAUGES OFTEN CORRECT THEMSELVES OUT OF THE BL…
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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON; THEN MY OIL GAUGE STARTED GOING WACKY, FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER; NEXT, MY GAS GAUGE WASN'T READING CORRECTLY AND I HAD TO KEEP PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR JUST TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T RUN OUT BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T TRUST THE GAUGE. THE GAUGES OFTEN CORRECT THEMSELVES OUT OF THE BLUE AND THEN THEY START MESSING UP AGAIN WITH NO WARNING. TODAY, MY SPEEDOMETER READ 0 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. IT STAYED AT 0 UNTIL I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN I TOOK OFF, IT WENT UP TO ABOUT 45 WHEN I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 25-30. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM REALLY GOING, WHICH IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I AM ALSO VERY FRAZZLED BY ALL THE GAUGES READING DIFFERENT EVERY DAY WHEN I AM DRIVING 40 MILES BACK AND FORTH TO WORK WONDERING IF AND WHEN MY CAR IS GOING TO BREAK DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, UNEXPECTEDLY THE SPEED ODOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, UNEXPECTEDLY THE SPEED ODOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON -BRAKES, AIRBAG,BATTERY, SERVICE ENGINE SOON. ALL THE GAUGES ON THE RIGHT-OIL, GAS, BATTERY ARE BELOW THE RED LINE AS IF THE CAR IS OFF. THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF WITH THE KEYS IN IT WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF-HAD TO CALL EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE TO UNLOCK. THE MECHANIC STATES ALL THE LIG…
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MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON -BRAKES, AIRBAG,BATTERY, SERVICE ENGINE SOON. ALL THE GAUGES ON THE RIGHT-OIL, GAS, BATTERY ARE BELOW THE RED LINE AS IF THE CAR IS OFF. THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF WITH THE KEYS IN IT WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF-HAD TO CALL EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE TO UNLOCK. THE MECHANIC STATES ALL THE LIGHTS THAT ARE ON ARE ACTUALLY FUNCTIONING AND THAT THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER MODULE IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IT APPEARS MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM WITH TRAILBLAZERS-WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL RE: THIS ISSUE? *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW, AND 4 VARIOUS MECHANICS, NO ONCE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE REPLACED TWO AIR SENSORS (ACTUALLY 3 - ONE WAS BAD)... I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1,000 TO GET THIS FIXED - BUT THE DAM LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON (INTERMITTENTLY) SOMETIMES IT'S ON FOR A MONTH - OFF …
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW, AND 4 VARIOUS MECHANICS, NO ONCE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE REPLACED TWO AIR SENSORS (ACTUALLY 3 - ONE WAS BAD)... I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1,000 TO GET THIS FIXED - BUT THE DAM LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON (INTERMITTENTLY) SOMETIMES IT'S ON FOR A MONTH - OFF A DAY - ON TWO WEEKS - THERE IS NO PATTERN. THE LAST TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON, MY CAR BEGAN STALLING IN TRAFFIC AND STOP SIGNS. LAST MECHANIC SPENT 5 HOURS TRACING ALL THE CODES BACK - NOTHING. NEXT DAY HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC CHECK CODES AND THE ENGINE RUNNING COOL AS WELL AS A FEW OTHERS SHOWED UP. IF NO ONE CAN FIGURE THIS OUT - WHERE IS THE RECOURSE. I FEEL LIKE I AM BEING SCAMMED OVER AND OVER. I STALLED ON RT. 24 SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC - AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A BOX TRUCK BECAUSE I JUST SAT THERE. WHO CAN HELP DIRECT ME TO A REPAIR WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY END THIS ISSUE? NOW, THE LIGHTS OFF THIS WEEK (WATCH, NOW THAT I SAY THIS IT WILL COME BACK ON). THE ONLY THING I NOTICE IS THAT MANY TIMES THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AFTER I FILLED THE TANK. SO, IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG (REFERRING TO MECHANICS WHO TAKE US FOR A RIDE $$$)? I CHALLENGE ANYONE OUT THERE TO FIGURE THIS OUT. *TR
MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DISPLAYED A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SERVICE LIGHT A FEW DAYS AGO. GOT IT TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THE THERMOSTAT AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH NEEDED REPLACED. ($550.00). THE DAY THIS WAS REPLACED, I DROVE IT HOME AND TESTED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH. AS SOON AS I PRESSED ON THE GAS IN 4 WHEEL…
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MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DISPLAYED A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SERVICE LIGHT A FEW DAYS AGO. GOT IT TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THE THERMOSTAT AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH NEEDED REPLACED. ($550.00). THE DAY THIS WAS REPLACED, I DROVE IT HOME AND TESTED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH. AS SOON AS I PRESSED ON THE GAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, THE TACH SHOT TO 5000. IT DISPLAYED 5000 FOR THE REST OF THE DAY (EVEN WHILE IDLING). THE NEXT DAY, THE TACH STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. DEALER WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ERROR OR REASONING TO WHY IT QUIT WORKING. JUST A COINCIDENCE????? *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. FOR THE PAST YEAR THE SPEEDOMETER HAS RUN AMOK. I CAN BE TRAVELING AT 30, 50, ETC. MPH AND THE NEEDLE RANGES FROM 20 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT AND AT TIMES SURPASSED THE 120 MPH MARK ON THE DIAL. CAN YOU HELP? THANKS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER, RMP GAUGE, TACHOMETER, AND THE HEATER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. THE CONTACT STATED HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER, RMP GAUGE, TACHOMETER, AND THE HEATER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED OPERATING. THE CONTACT STATED HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
2004 TRAILBLAZER - ALL GAUGES DON'T WORK OR MAX. OUT; SPEED GAUGE AND GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING. STARTED AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. *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.