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
What owners actually said
261 reports
95,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Electrical System
AS I HAVE SEEN FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME GM PRODUCT, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK RIGHT. IS ALWAYS REGISTERING AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, SOMETIMES EVEN PEGGING DOWN WHERE YOUR GEARS ARE LOCATED. COSTS TO REPAIR IS $600-$700 AND 5-7 DAYS OF DOWN TIME AS THE PART MUST BE SENT AWAY AND REPAIRED. LIKE OTH…
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AS I HAVE SEEN FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME GM PRODUCT, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK RIGHT. IS ALWAYS REGISTERING AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, SOMETIMES EVEN PEGGING DOWN WHERE YOUR GEARS ARE LOCATED. COSTS TO REPAIR IS $600-$700 AND 5-7 DAYS OF DOWN TIME AS THE PART MUST BE SENT AWAY AND REPAIRED. LIKE OTHER CONSUMERS I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS COSTLY REPAIR. I WOULD THINK AFTER THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS GM WOULD REPAIR. PERSONALLY, I'M CONSIDERING FOREIGN NEXT TIME. AT LEAST THEY OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKES AND REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319128
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
CRACK IN MY FUEL TANK IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319010
430,425 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Steering
MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAD A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT AND FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TRAVELING FAST AT THE TIME. NOTE THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM AND THERE WAS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FLUID IN…
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MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAD A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT AND FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TRAVELING FAST AT THE TIME. NOTE THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM AND THERE WAS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316553
75,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Unknown Or Other
PRODUCT DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316419
430,425 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Steering
MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAD A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT AND FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TRAVELING FAST AT THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316353
82,000 miles · Feb 27, 2010
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FLUCTUATE, SHOWING INACCURATE READINGS. SPEEDOMETER STICKS ON ONE SPEED AND ALSO JUST FAILS CONSISTENTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314840
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2010
Electrical System
ON 02/05 /2010 I WAS GOING SOUTH ON 165 TO MONROE, LA IT WAS ABOUT 8:00 AT NIGHT,WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS THEN THE HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. THIS MADE ME GO INTO A PANIC. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE IT WAS VERY DARK. I DID MANAGE TO PULL OVER. THANKFULLY THERE WAS A GAS STATION NEAR BY. ON 2/06/2010 I TOOK TO A CHE…
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ON 02/05 /2010 I WAS GOING SOUTH ON 165 TO MONROE, LA IT WAS ABOUT 8:00 AT NIGHT,WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS THEN THE HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. THIS MADE ME GO INTO A PANIC. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE IT WAS VERY DARK. I DID MANAGE TO PULL OVER. THANKFULLY THERE WAS A GAS STATION NEAR BY. ON 2/06/2010 I TOOK TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE BE SEEING THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. BUT THEY CLOSE EARLY ON SATURDAY SO THEY COULD NOT FITS IT IN ONE DAY. SO I TOOK TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS SAME PROBLEM 4 TIMES IN JAN. SO CHEVROLET HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS LOOKING INTO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313439
65,750 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Electrical System
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. IN 2007, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION EXHIBITING ERRATIC FUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. NOW, HERE IT IS, 2/2010 AND THE CLUSTER IS DOING THE VERY SAME THING THE ORIGINAL DEF…
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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. IN 2007, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION EXHIBITING ERRATIC FUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. NOW, HERE IT IS, 2/2010 AND THE CLUSTER IS DOING THE VERY SAME THING THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE CLUSTER WAS DOING. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND READ WHERE MANY, MANY OWNERS OF CHEVY PRODUCTS FROM 2003 ON ARE HAVING THESE COMPARABLE ISSUES AND THAT CHEVY HAS SOME SORT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY ARE OFFERING FOR MANY GM PRODUCTS WITH THESE DEFECTIVE CLUSTERS. I AM DISGUSTED BY THE FACT THAT, FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, TRAILBLAZER OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO AN INADEQUATE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS NECESSARY TO WARRANT COVERAGE. IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT THE TRAILBLAZER HAS THE IDENTICAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS THE OTHER GM PRODUCTS COVERED IN THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. AT THIS POINT, I AM ADDING MYSELF TO WHAT I'M SURE IS A GROWING NUMBER OF UNHAPPY GM OWNERS COMING TO YOU IN HOPES THAT GM WILL BE MADE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE A THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311143
64,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, AND TACHOMETER HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON MY 04 TRAILBLAZER. ONLY HAVE 64,000 MILES ON IT. HAVE TALKED TO MECHANICS ABOUT REPLACING. TOLD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $400 AND $800 TO REPLACE BUT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE LONG TERM--MANY TIMES REPLACED CLUSTERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. LOOK AT THE I…
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THE SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, AND TACHOMETER HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON MY 04 TRAILBLAZER. ONLY HAVE 64,000 MILES ON IT. HAVE TALKED TO MECHANICS ABOUT REPLACING. TOLD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $400 AND $800 TO REPLACE BUT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE LONG TERM--MANY TIMES REPLACED CLUSTERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. LOOK AT THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308181
48,000 miles · Feb 8, 2010
Equipment
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH ABOUT 79000 MILES ON IT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED BEING INCORRECT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. AT THAT TIME I WAS NOT AWARE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD AMONG TRAILBLAZER OWNERS. THE GAUGES STICK. WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED IT WAS JUST THE …
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH ABOUT 79000 MILES ON IT. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED BEING INCORRECT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. AT THAT TIME I WAS NOT AWARE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD AMONG TRAILBLAZER OWNERS. THE GAUGES STICK. WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED IT WAS JUST THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE RPM GAUGE, BUT NOW ITS THE MENTIONED GAUGES PLUS THE FUEL GAUGE. I HAVE HAD A TRAFFIC STOP AND WAS GIVEN A WARNING FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AS A PROBLEM BY A LOT OF OWNERS AND THE COST IS AROUND $500. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS ISSUE THAT IS CLEARLY NOT AN OWNER INITIATED PROBLEM BUT A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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.
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.
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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