Illustration"SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS BAD AND THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. REPLACED BOTH PARTS COSTING $946.73. *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
What owners actually said
261 reportsSTARTING JUNE 17, 2008, THE LOW BEAMS ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER LT GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY - THE HIGH BEAMS, FOG LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STILL WORK - ONLY LOW BEAMS CAUSING PROBLEMS. I KEEP MY LIGHTS SETTING IN THE POSTION THAT THEY COME ON WHEN I START MY CAR. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY FACTOR. …
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STARTING JUNE 17, 2008, THE LOW BEAMS ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER LT GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY - THE HIGH BEAMS, FOG LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STILL WORK - ONLY LOW BEAMS CAUSING PROBLEMS. I KEEP MY LIGHTS SETTING IN THE POSTION THAT THEY COME ON WHEN I START MY CAR. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY FACTOR. THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT SUDDENLY. I CAN ONLY DOCUMENT ONE TIME THAT THEY WENT OUT DURING THE DAY TIME, BUT HAVE DOCUMENTED SEVEN (7) TIMES THAT THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AT NIGHT. THE NEXT SPACE ON THIS FORM ASKS FOR THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE - I PUT DOWN THE FIRST TIME. AS STATED ABOVE THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES AT NIGHT AND AT LEAST ONE TIME DURING THE DAY. I CAN ONLY TELL DURING THE DAY TIME IF I AM STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I ONLY HAVE 2 TRAFFIC SIGNALS BETWEEN MY HOME AND WORK. I TOOK MY CAR TO SANDY SANSING CHEVROLET, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, ON JUNE 23, 2008, THEY SAID THEY CHECKED MY CAR FOR THREE HOURS BUT COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. I WOULD NEED TO BRING IT IN WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ONLY TIME I COULD TELL THEY HAD GONE OUT DURING THE DAY TIME, I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND BEFORE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. (MY 16 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND CAN VERIFY THAT THIS HAPPENED. IN FACT HE AND ANOTHER GRANDSON WAS IN THE CAR ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 1, 2008, WHEN THE LOW BEAMS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE BASEBALL GAME. *TR
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF THIRD AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. DEALER SAID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FLUID CHANGE WOULD FIX IT. AFTER PERFORMING FLUSH DEALER TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY, SPEEDOMETER WORKS AT FIRST AND THEN SLOWLY …
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF THIRD AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. DEALER SAID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FLUID CHANGE WOULD FIX IT. AFTER PERFORMING FLUSH DEALER TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY, SPEEDOMETER WORKS AT FIRST AND THEN SLOWLY GOES DOWN TO ZERO. *TR
RPM'S AND SPEEDOMETER TO NOT READ CORRECTLY. *TR
TACHOMETER FAILED AND THE SPEEDOMETER ACTED SPORADIC SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I NEVER HAVE AN ACCURATE SPEEDOMETER READING ON MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER THAT ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A REPAIR SHOP OR GETTING MY DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT A DISCOUNTED RATE OR FREE. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS BEGAN IN THE FALL OF 2007. SOMETIMES IT WORKS SEEMINGLY FINE. IT WILL THEN FREEZE ON A SPEED. SOMETIMES IT WILL REGISTER A SPEED THAT IS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT. FOR EXAMPLE IT WILL REGISTER A VARIABLE SPEED THAT IS 20 OR MORE MPH FASTER THAN WE ARE TRAVELING. IT …
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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS BEGAN IN THE FALL OF 2007. SOMETIMES IT WORKS SEEMINGLY FINE. IT WILL THEN FREEZE ON A SPEED. SOMETIMES IT WILL REGISTER A SPEED THAT IS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT. FOR EXAMPLE IT WILL REGISTER A VARIABLE SPEED THAT IS 20 OR MORE MPH FASTER THAN WE ARE TRAVELING. IT SOMETIMES POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN. THEN LAST WEEK "OUT OF THE BLUE" IT WORKED AGAIN FOR A FEW DAYS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ONLY LASTED A FEW DAYS. I NEVER KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING AND TRY TO STAY IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY DID NOT MENTION ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $500 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY TRAILBLAZER TO MINNEAPOLIS AND THE TURN SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE, I STOP AND WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN I WENT TO USE MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND THE FLASHERS WENT ON INSTEAD. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS EVERYTIME I USED IT. I HAD TO GO AND GET THE FLASHER MODULES REPLACE AT THE COST OF 200.00. I SEE THAT THERE IS A …
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I WAS DRIVING MY TRAILBLAZER TO MINNEAPOLIS AND THE TURN SIGNALS WERE WORKING FINE, I STOP AND WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN I WENT TO USE MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND THE FLASHERS WENT ON INSTEAD. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS EVERYTIME I USED IT. I HAD TO GO AND GET THE FLASHER MODULES REPLACE AT THE COST OF 200.00. I SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
MY AIR/HEAT ON OCCASION HAS NOT WORKED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHERE I WOULD TURN ON THE SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WAS ON BUT NOTHING WOULD BLOW OUT AT ALL. MY VEHICLE IS OF COURSE OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WENT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH MANY GM VEHICLES. CURRENTLY MY UNIT IS NOT WO…
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MY AIR/HEAT ON OCCASION HAS NOT WORKED. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHERE I WOULD TURN ON THE SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WAS ON BUT NOTHING WOULD BLOW OUT AT ALL. MY VEHICLE IS OF COURSE OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WENT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH MANY GM VEHICLES. CURRENTLY MY UNIT IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. *TR
I BUCKLED UP MY CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT AND IT DID NOT PROVIDE AN ANCHOR POINT ON THE BACK OF THE BENCH SEAT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HEAD SUPPORT IN AN EVENT OF A CRASH. THE REAR SEATBELT ALSO DID NOT PROVIDE A LOCK FEATURE; THEREFORE PROVIDING WHIPLASH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR EVEN CAUSE THE CAR SEAT TO FALL OVER ON THE LEFT - OUT …
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I BUCKLED UP MY CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT AND IT DID NOT PROVIDE AN ANCHOR POINT ON THE BACK OF THE BENCH SEAT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HEAD SUPPORT IN AN EVENT OF A CRASH. THE REAR SEATBELT ALSO DID NOT PROVIDE A LOCK FEATURE; THEREFORE PROVIDING WHIPLASH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR EVEN CAUSE THE CAR SEAT TO FALL OVER ON THE LEFT - OUT THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW OR TO THE RIGHT TIPPING ON ANOTHER PASSENGER, CAUSING INJURY. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALL THAT IS GOING ON WITH GM. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING AS THE TAHOE, AVALANCHE, AND I FORGOT WHAT THE OTHER THE CAR WAS. THE FUEL, WATER, AND BATTERY GAUGES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT, A LONG WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP T…
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I HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALL THAT IS GOING ON WITH GM. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING AS THE TAHOE, AVALANCHE, AND I FORGOT WHAT THE OTHER THE CAR WAS. THE FUEL, WATER, AND BATTERY GAUGES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT, A LONG WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL AND THEY COULDN'T GIVE ME A ANSWER. I FEEL THAT IF GM IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER CARS AND HAVEN'T LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS COMPLAINTS ON THESE, WHY HAVEN'T THEY ADDED THEM TO THE RECALLS. PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AND HAVEN'T TO WAIT FOR GM TO SEND OUT A RECALL ON A VIN TYPE SPECIFIC CAR IS RIDICULOUS. IF THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THEY NEED TO CHECK THE OTHER CARS. I CALLED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS BEFORE THEY CAN DO ANYTHING. IF THEY STAND BY THERE QUOTE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION THEN THEY ARE NOT SATISFYING THE CONSUMERS AND MAKE THEM GO THROUGH A WHOLE ORDEAL, ON FINDING A SOLUTION. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR A PART AND FILL MY GAS TANK UP EVERY OTHER DAY TO MAKE SURE I DON'T RUN OUT OF GAS. PLUS, SINCE I CAN'T LOOK AT MY INSTRUMENTS TO TELL IF MY CAR IS GOING TO OVERHEAT AND MAKE IT INTO A BIGGER PROBLEM. SO, SINCE I CALLED THE CORPORATE OFFICE WE WILL IF THE PEOPLE WHO SPEND MONEY ON THERE PRODUCT WILL MAKE GOOD ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. *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.