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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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49,000 miles · Dec 5, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER I PURCHASED IN 2007 FOR MY WIFE. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH, HOW FOUND OUT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE CHEVY SHOULD RECALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294587

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2009
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility

WE ARE THE OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE 4 MAJOR CONCERNS REGARDING OUR VEHICLE. THE FIRST I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHEVY COMPANY. OUR TRAILBLAZER WAS SHUTTING OFF DUE TO A BAD SEAL SOMEHOW CONNECTED WHEN THE HEAT/AIR IS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS OFF AND YOU LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL.…

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WE ARE THE OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE 4 MAJOR CONCERNS REGARDING OUR VEHICLE. THE FIRST I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHEVY COMPANY. OUR TRAILBLAZER WAS SHUTTING OFF DUE TO A BAD SEAL SOMEHOW CONNECTED WHEN THE HEAT/AIR IS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS OFF AND YOU LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL. WE HAD AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND IS THE LOSS OF OUR WINDSHIELD FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY NO LONGER WORK. THE 3RD IS THE REAR MOLDING BROKE LOOSE FROM WATER COLLECTING AND THEN FREEZING WITH NO WAY OF PREVENTING THIS FROM HAPPENING. WE LOST THIS PIECE OF MOLDING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT HIT A SEMI TRUCK. THE 4TH IS A MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BE ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. EACH MORNING WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SUV WILL ACT LIKE THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THEN START. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND PROBLEM WAS NOT FOUND. I AM QUITE CONCERNED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM NOT SURE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM NOTATED. WE ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR 3RD BATTERY SINCE 2004. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292213

92,000 miles · Oct 30, 2009
Electrical System

INSTRUMENTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL ONE AT A TIME STARTING WITH TACH THEN OIL PRESSURE AND NOW SPEEDOMETER. STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO FIX. HAVE TO FIX IT NOW THAT SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. PROBLEMS STARTED AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES NOW AT 92,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290433

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2009
Electrical System

2004 EXT TRAILBLAZER CLUSTER INSTUMENT PANEL. NON WORKING RPM, SPEEDOMETER, VOTLAGE METER, OIL GAUGE, AND TEMPATURE GAUGE. AT LEAST I KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE...I THINK!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289248

89,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FOR SOME TIME. AT FIRST IT WOULD MALFUNCTION FROM TIME TO TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 89,000. NOW THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. WHEN I STARTED INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND OUT THAT CHEVROLET HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE, "CHEVY TAHOE", THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY THERE IS A R…

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THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS FOR SOME TIME. AT FIRST IT WOULD MALFUNCTION FROM TIME TO TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 89,000. NOW THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. WHEN I STARTED INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND OUT THAT CHEVROLET HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE, "CHEVY TAHOE", THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY THERE IS A RECALL TO FIX THE TAHOE AND NOT THE TRAILBLAZERS? DEFINITE "DEFECT TREND" THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. I DON'T HAVE THE $600+ TO FIX SO MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN IN IT. A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION FOR ME AND THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD! WAITING FOR THE WHOLE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL AS OTHERS SAY HAPPENS NEXT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281101

53,434 miles · Aug 8, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipmentSteering

ON NOVEMBER 26 2007 TOOK MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER 04 4 WHEEL DR. IN FOR STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY. COULD NOT DUPLICATE. ALSO C.D. CHANGER WILL NOT EJECT CD'S AND LOW BEAMS ON HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING. REPAIRED HEADLIGHTS AND C.D. CHANGER. DID NOT FIX STEERING PROBLEM. ON JUNE 07 TOOK IN FOR MAJOR SERVICE WITH 33,000 MILES. ON DEC.8 …

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ON NOVEMBER 26 2007 TOOK MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER 04 4 WHEEL DR. IN FOR STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY. COULD NOT DUPLICATE. ALSO C.D. CHANGER WILL NOT EJECT CD'S AND LOW BEAMS ON HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING. REPAIRED HEADLIGHTS AND C.D. CHANGER. DID NOT FIX STEERING PROBLEM. ON JUNE 07 TOOK IN FOR MAJOR SERVICE WITH 33,000 MILES. ON DEC.8 2008 TOOK IN FOR STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.THIS IS MY MAIN COMPLAINT, THE STALLING ON JAN.. 10 2009 TOOK IN FOR ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER WHICH WAS HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS OFF AND ON.REBUILT THE SPEEDOMETER. ON JUNE 11 2009 TOOK CAR IN FOR STALLING, SES LAMP COMES ON WHEN DRIVING AND HVAC FAN DOES NOT BLOW ON THE #5 POSITION. THERE IS ALOT OF GRINDING AND WHINING WHEN VEHICLE SHIFTS TO SECOND GEAR. AND TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS THERE IS A WHINING COMING FROM THE FRONT END. REMOVED AND REPLACED 02 SENSOR. FOR THE STALLING THEY COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN. RECOMMENDED THROTTLE BODY DE-CARB AND INJECTION SYSTEM CLEANING. FOR THE #5 FAN NOT WORKING REMOVED AND REPLACED SPEED CONTROL RESISTOR. TRANSMISSION THEY COULD NOT FEEL ANY UNUSUAL SHIFTING.FOR THE STEERING PROB.REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND POWER STEERING GEAR. CAR STILL STALLING ON 6-19 -09. TOOK IN. DID ANOTHER DECARB SERVICE AND REPLACE FUEL FILTER.STILL STALLS. 7-01-09 WHEN CAR STARTS THERE IS A LOUD CLUTCH FAN NOISE LIKE A JET TAKING OFF. FEELS LIKE THE TRANS IS OVERWORKING, VERYLOUD NOT RIGHT. FIX,WAS FANCONTROL SET IM PROPERLY TROUBLE CODE P0483 . BULLETIN 05-06-02-004 REPROGRAM PCM. CLAIM CODE1013B. JULY 8 TOOK CAR FOR STALLING ISSUE JULY 9 TOOK CAR FOR STALLING ISSUE JULY 10 TOOK CAR FOR STALLING ISSUES NO PAPER WORK FOR THESE 3 DAYS THEY WERE TRYING TO RECREATE THE STALLING ISSUE. JULY 20 2009 IN SHOP FOR 16 DAYS FOR STALLING ISSUE THEY FINALLY CONFIRMED .REPLACED PCM. THEY CALLED IN TECH ASSISTANCE CASE #10971267 HE SAID TO PERFORM TOP ENGINE CLEANING. OUTCOME IS CANNOT GUARANTEE REPAIRS AT THIS TIME DUE TO HOW RANDOM THIS PROB OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279797

63,000 miles · Jul 19, 2009
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FREQUENTLY GETS STUCK OR STOPS WORKING, WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277330

108,000 miles · Jul 6, 2009
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER GIVES FALSE READINGS. STARTED IN THE WINTER OF 2008, BUT IS NOW HAPPENING ON A WEEKLY BASIS DURING THE SUMMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275856

30,000 miles · May 31, 2009
Electrical System

2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ALL INSTRUMENTS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT FUNCTIONING DURING NORMAL OPERATION (SPEEDOMETER, FUEL LEVEL, RPM'S, BATTERY CHARGE, OIL PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, MILEAGE, AND GEAR INDICATOR. YOU CAN'T TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT FORWARD FROM REVERSE. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL TO OPERATE ESPE…

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2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ALL INSTRUMENTS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT FUNCTIONING DURING NORMAL OPERATION (SPEEDOMETER, FUEL LEVEL, RPM'S, BATTERY CHARGE, OIL PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, MILEAGE, AND GEAR INDICATOR. YOU CAN'T TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT FORWARD FROM REVERSE. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL TO OPERATE ESPECIALLY NOT KNOWING WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272461

45,000 miles · May 20, 2009
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS BEEN ACTING ERRATIC OR NOT AT ALL ON SOME OF THE GAUGES. I'VE READ THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SOME HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269557

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.