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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

What owners actually said

261 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2011
Electrical System

MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS AN INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT STOPPED WORKING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, WHAT MY OIL PRESSURE IS, THE TEMPERATURE OF MY CAR, OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. I CONTACTED A REPAIR SHOP BUT IT IS OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE PANEL AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAP…

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MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS AN INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT STOPPED WORKING. I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, WHAT MY OIL PRESSURE IS, THE TEMPERATURE OF MY CAR, OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. I CONTACTED A REPAIR SHOP BUT IT IS OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE PANEL AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. APPARENTLY I AM BEING TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS YEAR AND MAKE BUT THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405851

41,000 miles · May 26, 2011
Electrical System

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DASH CLUSTER. I HAVE 43,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DASH GAUGES WENT OUT. THEY STARTED TO WORK AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND NOW THEY COME ON ONLY ABOUT 1 OUT OF 4 TRIPS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? PLEASE HELP …

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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DASH CLUSTER. I HAVE 43,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE DASH GAUGES WENT OUT. THEY STARTED TO WORK AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND NOW THEY COME ON ONLY ABOUT 1 OUT OF 4 TRIPS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402787

60,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I AM HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE INDICATING THAT EITHER THERE IS LESS GAS THEN ACTUAL, OR MORE GAS THEN ACTUAL. I KNOW THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT ONLY FOR THE YEARS 2005-2007, MINE IS A 2004. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THIS YEAR SINC…

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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I AM HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAUGE INDICATING THAT EITHER THERE IS LESS GAS THEN ACTUAL, OR MORE GAS THEN ACTUAL. I KNOW THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT ONLY FOR THE YEARS 2005-2007, MINE IS A 2004. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THIS YEAR SINCE THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402557

87,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE STARTING WITH TACHOMETER THEN SPEEDOMETER. AT 90,000 +/- MILES ALWAYS HAVE INTERMITTENT / OBVIOUSLY WRONG INFO FROM TACHOMETER (USUALLY PAST 7000) AND SPEEDOMETER (ALWAYS READS <20 MPH). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399810

50,000 miles · May 3, 2011
Electrical System

ON OUR 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THE ONLY GAUGE THAT WORKS ALL THE TIME IS THE SPEEDOMETER. MOST OF THE OTHER GAUGES ' INCLUDING THE FUEL GAUGE, TACHOMETER, ETC, ' DON'T WORK AT ALL! THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONLY SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY: THE AIRBAG LI…

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ON OUR 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THE ONLY GAUGE THAT WORKS ALL THE TIME IS THE SPEEDOMETER. MOST OF THE OTHER GAUGES ' INCLUDING THE FUEL GAUGE, TACHOMETER, ETC, ' DON'T WORK AT ALL! THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE WORKS ONLY SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY: THE AIRBAG LIGHT, ABS BRAKES LIGHT, AND 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT UNPREDICTABLY REMAIN LIT ' NOT ALWAYS AT THE SAME TIME - SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AT A TIME WHEN THE CAR IS ON. THERE IS NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON AND WHEN THEY WILL REMAIN OFF. I AM REPORTING THESE PROBLEMS TO YOU SINCE I READ THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 2005 THROUGH 2007 TRAILBLAZERS. I FEEL YOU SHOULD EXPAND YOUR RESEARCH TO INCLUDE 2004 TRAILBLAZERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398727

69,582 miles · May 2, 2011
Fuel System, Other

ON SEVERAL OCCASION OVER THE PAST YEAR MY FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT HAS READ INACCURATELY LEADING TO BREAKING DOWN DUE TO THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE THE GAUGE WAS STILL READING AT LEAST 1/4 TANK MOMENTS BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLS. ON ALL OCCASIONS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE GAUGE SHOWED 1/4 TA…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASION OVER THE PAST YEAR MY FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT HAS READ INACCURATELY LEADING TO BREAKING DOWN DUE TO THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE THE GAUGE WAS STILL READING AT LEAST 1/4 TANK MOMENTS BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLS. ON ALL OCCASIONS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE GAUGE SHOWED 1/4 TANK AND THEN ALL OD A SUDDENLY DROPPED TO E WITH THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT COMING ONE. WITHIN A FEW MILES OF THIS SUDDEN DROP AND THE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON THE ENGINE WOULD STALL DUE THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF GAS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY LOCAL DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND ALL THEY HAVE OFFERED TO ME IS TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT, WHICH IN THIS MODEL IS INTEGRATED WITH THE FUEL PUMP AT THE COST OF ALMOST $800. THIS SEEM WRONG TO ME. NOW THAT I HAVE READ THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES I AM EVEN MORE UPSET THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME MY ISSUE IS AN ISOLATED ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGES IN THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398564

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2011
Fuel System, Other

I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I PURCHASED IT USED FROM A DEALER IN DECEMBER OF 2010. I NOTICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE GAS GAUGE. IT WILL SHOW A DECENT AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK THEN BY THE TIME I GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IT IS SHOWING EMPTY. IT WILL GO UP AND DOWN ALL THE TIME. I KNOW I …

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I OWN A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. I PURCHASED IT USED FROM A DEALER IN DECEMBER OF 2010. I NOTICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE GAS GAUGE. IT WILL SHOW A DECENT AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK THEN BY THE TIME I GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IT IS SHOWING EMPTY. IT WILL GO UP AND DOWN ALL THE TIME. I KNOW I AM NOT OUT OF GAS, BECAUSE I MAKE SURE TO PUT GAS IN EVERY DAY BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS IN THE TANK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE SEEING THAT AN INVESTIGATION IS BEING DONE FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, I DECIDED TO WRITE HERE FIRST. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE YEARS INVESTIGATED ALSO INCLUDED 2004, SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY YOUR AGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398243

98,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

NOT SURE WHAT TO FILE THIS UNDER, SO I PUT IT UNDER UNKNOWN AND OTHER. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR A FEW DAYS THEN WENT OFF, A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK ON, THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WENT OFF, THEN IT CAME ON FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND DO THE SAME THING, EVENTUALLY IT STAYED ON. …

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NOT SURE WHAT TO FILE THIS UNDER, SO I PUT IT UNDER UNKNOWN AND OTHER. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR A FEW DAYS THEN WENT OFF, A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK ON, THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WENT OFF, THEN IT CAME ON FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND DO THE SAME THING, EVENTUALLY IT STAYED ON. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THE GAS TANK HAD A CRACK IN IT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SAID IT WAS PROBABLY FROM THE GAS NOZZLE HITTING THE TANK WHEN FILLING IT UP. DON'T SEE HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE, WHEN IT IS ONLY ME OR MY HUSBAND FILLING IT UP & HOW HARD WOULD YOU HAVE TO HIT IT FOR IT TO CRACK? HAD IT REPLACED THE NEXT MONTH. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS DOING THE SAME THING. HAVEN'T TAKEN IT BACK IN YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393761

90,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

NOT SURE WHAT TO FILE THIS UNDER, SO I PUT IT UNDER FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. SAME DAY I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDOMETER I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAGE. THE ARROW WOULD GO WAY PAST FULL, WHEN I KNEW I ONLY HAD ABOUT HALF A TANK. THE GAS GAGE HAS BEEN ACTING UP EVER SINCE, I JUST HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF MY MILEAGE TO K…

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NOT SURE WHAT TO FILE THIS UNDER, SO I PUT IT UNDER FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. SAME DAY I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDOMETER I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS GAGE. THE ARROW WOULD GO WAY PAST FULL, WHEN I KNEW I ONLY HAD ABOUT HALF A TANK. THE GAS GAGE HAS BEEN ACTING UP EVER SINCE, I JUST HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF MY MILEAGE TO KNOW WHEN TO FILL IT UP. HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393757

90,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 90MPH ON A TRIP AND CARS WERE PASSING ME, WHEN I STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER READ 35MPH STANDING STILL. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS, THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE OTHER DAY COMING HOME FROM A TRIP IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ACTING UP AGAIN, BUT MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, HE THOUGHT IT WAS ACTING UP TOO. IT IS BACK…

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SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 90MPH ON A TRIP AND CARS WERE PASSING ME, WHEN I STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER READ 35MPH STANDING STILL. IT DID THIS FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS, THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE OTHER DAY COMING HOME FROM A TRIP IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ACTING UP AGAIN, BUT MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, HE THOUGHT IT WAS ACTING UP TOO. IT IS BACK TO NORMAL, HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393751

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.