← New search

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 →

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

Power Train complaints

17 reports
Clear category filter
136,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN IT TRIES TO SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, I READ THAT THERE WAS A REPORT ON THIS HAPPENING BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AS FAR AS I KNOW, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO SAYS THEY NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPER WORK FROM GM ABOUT DOING REPAIRS. MY QUESTION IS WILL GM REPAIR …

Read full complaint

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN IT TRIES TO SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, I READ THAT THERE WAS A REPORT ON THIS HAPPENING BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AS FAR AS I KNOW, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO SAYS THEY NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPER WORK FROM GM ABOUT DOING REPAIRS. MY QUESTION IS WILL GM REPAIR THIS CONDITION AT NO COST TO ME?

NHTSA ODI #10955188

114,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES CORRODED AND CAUSED A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 86. WHEN THE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, IT SPRAYED ALL OVER THE EXHAUST PIPES, WHICH CAUSED A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. DUE TO THE LOSS OF TRANSMISSI…

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES CORRODED AND CAUSED A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 86. WHEN THE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, IT SPRAYED ALL OVER THE EXHAUST PIPES, WHICH CAUSED A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. DUE TO THE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT CASED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION INTERNALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650002

142,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Power TrainService Brakes

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK BRAKES STARTED LOCKING UP DROVE HOME TOOK APART FRONT AN REAR BRAKES FOUND FRONT CALIPERS LOCKED UP CHANGED CALIPERS AN BRAKE PADS FRONT AN REAR TRIED TO BLEED BRAKES HAD A SPONGY PEDAL FILLED MASTER CYLINDER AN NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER MASTER CYLINDER CONNECTOR BEHIND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL NO P…

Read full complaint

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK BRAKES STARTED LOCKING UP DROVE HOME TOOK APART FRONT AN REAR BRAKES FOUND FRONT CALIPERS LOCKED UP CHANGED CALIPERS AN BRAKE PADS FRONT AN REAR TRIED TO BLEED BRAKES HAD A SPONGY PEDAL FILLED MASTER CYLINDER AN NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER MASTER CYLINDER CONNECTOR BEHIND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL NO PART TO FIX NO LISTING . CANNOT DRIVE CAR. THAT'S JUST ONE PROBLEM TRANSMISSION LINES ROTTED AN CHANGED 2 YEARS AGO . POWER STEERING COOLER ROTTED OUT LOST ALL POWER STEERING FLUID 1 MONTH AGO AN PUT AFTER MARKET COOLER IN . ALSO AIR CONDITIONER LINES ROTTED OUT CANNOT HOLD R34 COOLANT ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605792

146,000 miles · Mar 7, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR FELT "STUCK" IN GEAR, WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. ADDED MORE FLUID, REPLACED SPEED SENSOR, CAMSHAFT & CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH RPMS GOING HIGH, CAR SLAMMING FROM ONE GEAR INTO ANOTHER. ALSO CANNOT RUN HEAT WHILE DRIVING, FAN DRAWS POWER & CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL OUT. CAR ALSO BURNING TH…

Read full complaint

CAR FELT "STUCK" IN GEAR, WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. ADDED MORE FLUID, REPLACED SPEED SENSOR, CAMSHAFT & CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH RPMS GOING HIGH, CAR SLAMMING FROM ONE GEAR INTO ANOTHER. ALSO CANNOT RUN HEAT WHILE DRIVING, FAN DRAWS POWER & CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL OUT. CAR ALSO BURNING THROUGH GAS VERY QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450579

123,045 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. ENGINE REVS IN NEUTRAL, THEN TRANSMISSION WOULD RE-ENGAGE. FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EVERYTIME VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. REPAIRED BY COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368184

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2010
Power Train

ABOUT 10 MILES OUTSIDE OF DALLAS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT NO INITIAL PROBLEMS. LATER THAT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 30MPH. I RETURNED HOME THAT NIGHT AND LEFT IT PARKED. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THE GUY DID AN ENGINE CHECK STATING THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT…

Read full complaint

ABOUT 10 MILES OUTSIDE OF DALLAS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT NO INITIAL PROBLEMS. LATER THAT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 30MPH. I RETURNED HOME THAT NIGHT AND LEFT IT PARKED. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THE GUY DID AN ENGINE CHECK STATING THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AND THAT IT WAS LOW ON FLUIDS. I ADDED 3 QUARTS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH SEEMED TO HELP A LITTLE BIT, BUT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH MAKING AN 8 HR TRIP BACK HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366995

117,000 miles · May 15, 2010
Power Train

DRIVING NORMALLY ,PUT CAR IN PARK ,PUT CAR BACK IN DRIVE CRUNCHING NOISE ,CAR NO LONGER HAS REVERSE OR 2ND GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330563

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2009
Power Train

I BOUGHT MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER NEW IN 2004 AND IT HAS BEEN OK. I GOT IN IT LAST THURSDAY AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY BASEMENT TO GO TO WORK. IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE SO I GOT MY HUSBAND UP TO LOOK AT IT. COME TO FIND OUT REVERSE WENT OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID REVERSE WAS OUT AND SOME GEARS WERE WORN…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER NEW IN 2004 AND IT HAS BEEN OK. I GOT IN IT LAST THURSDAY AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY BASEMENT TO GO TO WORK. IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE SO I GOT MY HUSBAND UP TO LOOK AT IT. COME TO FIND OUT REVERSE WENT OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID REVERSE WAS OUT AND SOME GEARS WERE WORN. I HAD NO WARNING AND THIS JUST HAPPENED. THIS REPAIR PERSON TOLD US THIS WAS WEAK LINK ON THE TRAILBLAZERS AND THE TRANSMISSIONS WOULD GO JUST LIKE THAT. IF THIS IS A WEAK LINK, GM SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT TAKE OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 89,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266202

65,459 miles · Mar 20, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2004 TRAILBLAZER , TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK RUSTED AND BROKE, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FROM WATER GETTING INSIDE / DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ! AND THE BEARINGS IN THE WATERPUMP WENT OUT LEAVING THE FAN SHAFT WIGGLING / LOOSE. WITH ONLY 65000 MILES ON MY TRAILBLAZER NOT TRAVELING NO FASTER THAN 75 MPH MAX. THIS SHOULD NO…

Read full complaint

2004 TRAILBLAZER , TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK RUSTED AND BROKE, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FROM WATER GETTING INSIDE / DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ! AND THE BEARINGS IN THE WATERPUMP WENT OUT LEAVING THE FAN SHAFT WIGGLING / LOOSE. WITH ONLY 65000 MILES ON MY TRAILBLAZER NOT TRAVELING NO FASTER THAN 75 MPH MAX. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. MY FRIENDS WITH THE SAME TRAILBLAZER IS HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPENING. I SERVICED EVERY 3500 MILES SINCE OWNED 2005. PLEASE HELP IF CAN . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262521

65,465 miles · Mar 12, 2009
Power Train

2004 TRAILBLAZER, THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK RUSTED AND BROKE AND WATER IN TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME 2004 TRAILBLAZERS. BAD DIP STICK MANUFACTURE POSITION GETTING WATER INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261654

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.