IllustrationTHE STEPPER MOTORS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAVE FAILED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM AND PEOPLE ARE NOW MAKING A LIVING OFF OF CHARGING FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE GM IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Trailblazer years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 87.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trailblazer 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
880–25K
16325–50K
27450–75K
17675–100K
137100–150K
61150K+
899 reports with mileage · 182 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 627 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
56 crash reports31 fire reports47 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
627 reportsTHE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW RELAY SWITCH IS BAD. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL QUOTES FROM DEALERSHIPS AND LOOKS LIKE THE COST IS AROUND $400.00. (FOR THEM TO REPLACE AND REPROGRAM). THERE IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CANNOT ROLL DOWN YOUR WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ROLL DOWN AND LOCK OR UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS OR WINDOWS FROM THE DRIV…
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THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW RELAY SWITCH IS BAD. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL QUOTES FROM DEALERSHIPS AND LOOKS LIKE THE COST IS AROUND $400.00. (FOR THEM TO REPLACE AND REPROGRAM). THERE IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CANNOT ROLL DOWN YOUR WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ROLL DOWN AND LOCK OR UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS OR WINDOWS FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES FROM CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WITH THE MAJORITY OF THESE SWITCHES GOING BAD, THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS, AS IT IS VERY COSTLY ANDNOT AT ALL SAFE. ESPECIALLY IF AN OFFICER NEEDS TO APPROACH YOU AND YOU HAVE TO OPEN YOUR DOOR FIRST. THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNSAFE INCIDENT TOWARD YOURSELF AS WELL AS ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT. IF YOU CAN PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ANY RECALL ON THIS AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. *TR
ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING I STOPPED MY VEHICLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER READ 60 MPH AT A STANDSTILL. AS I CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IT INCREASED UNTIL IT REACHED WELL PAST 120 MPH. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER SOMETIMES GOES BACK BUT NEVER TO 0. THE RPM DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL, AND NOT SURE WHEN THAT STOPPED WORKI…
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ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING I STOPPED MY VEHICLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER READ 60 MPH AT A STANDSTILL. AS I CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IT INCREASED UNTIL IT REACHED WELL PAST 120 MPH. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED THE SPEEDOMETER SOMETIMES GOES BACK BUT NEVER TO 0. THE RPM DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL, AND NOT SURE WHEN THAT STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER DID FIX ITSELF AND THEN STARTED AGAIN A MONTH LATER. THE SECOND TIME IS WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE RPM NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WITH PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THESE SAME ISSUES AND HAVE SAVED THE ISSUES. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY ARE STATING THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND STATED IT IS $300 TO REPLACE A "INTERNAL FAULT IN THE DASH CLUSTER." THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER REGULARLY BECOMES STUCK WHILE I'M DRIVING. *TR
SPEEDOMETER AND TACH WORKS ERRATICALLY. SPEEDOMETER WORKS APPROX. 25% OF THE TIME. *TR
INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING. FIRST THE TACHOMETER - THEN THE SPEEDOMETER. *TR
INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES MALFUNCTION AND SHOW IMPROPER READINGS. FOR INSTANCE TACHOMETER SHOWS 5000 RPM AT IDLE. ALTERNATOR GAUGE IS OFF THE SCALE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS ALSO SHOWING FALSE READING. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE IS ALSO FALSE. INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. INDIVIDUAL GAUGES FAILED OVER TIME. *TR
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT REGISTER PROPER SPEED. READS AT 0 MPH WHEN GOING 65MPH OR ANY OTHER MPH FOR THAT MATTER. AT NO TIME IS THE SPEEDOMETER EVER ACCURATE. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 4X4 V6 IS EXPERIENCING SOME INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AS I HAD THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ENTIRELY REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. THE FIST TIME, THE TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED SHOWING INCORRECT SPEEDS AT DIFFERENT TIMES, INCLUDING SHOWING …
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MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 4X4 V6 IS EXPERIENCING SOME INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AS I HAD THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ENTIRELY REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. THE FIST TIME, THE TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED SHOWING INCORRECT SPEEDS AT DIFFERENT TIMES, INCLUDING SHOWING 80MPH WHEN SITTING STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY. NOW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. NOW MY BATTERY GAUGE, FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, AND TEMP GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND AND ARE AT ZERO AS IF THE CAR IS OFF. MOST OF MY WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALSO. THE ABS, SEATBELT, BATTERY, AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. ALSO, THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT TELLING ME IF I AM IN P,R,N,D, ETC NO LONGER HIGHLIGHTS THE GEAR I AM IN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN I ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. HOWEVER, I WOULD SAY ONCE OUT OF EVERY 15-20 TIMES I DRIVE THE CAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND GAUGES WORK FLAWLESSLY. OBVIOUSLY THIS TIME IT IS NOT THE MOTORS OF THE GAUGES THAT ARE THE PROBLEM, BUT SOMETHING POWER AND/OR ELECTRICAL. I'M WORRIED ABOUT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT MY SPEED IS, WHETHER THE ENGINE TEMP IS OK, AND WHETHER THE OIL PRESSURE IS NORMAL. *TT
SPEEDOMETER GAUGE, FUEL GAUGE, TEMP. GUAGE NOT WORKING. ONLY THE RPM AND TEMP GAUGE WORKING AT THIS TIME.
Official recalls
205V198000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
May 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
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
4RQ17002 · 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.
PE04032 · Brake Lamp Failure
Opened Apr 6, 2004 · Closed Aug 3, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002-04 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES.GM REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES SHARING THIS PLATFORM AND BRAKE LAMP DESIGN ARE THE MY 2002-2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT; GMC ENVOY, XL, XUV; OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND 2004 BUICK RAINIER.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMP DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.THERE IS NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT ONE OR MORE BRAKE LAMPS BULBS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.GM FOUND THAT HEAT FROM THE BULB COULD DEFORM THE LAMP SOCKET, PRODUCE ELECTRICAL ARCING AND AN INOPERATIVE BULB.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, GM CHANGED THE BULB TO A BULB THAT TRANSMITS LESS HEAT TO THE SOCKET AND CHANGED THE SOCKET TO A THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER TO IMPROVE THERMAL STABILITY.THESE CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED INTO PRODUCTION VEHICLES ON OCTOBER 1, 2003.GM IMPLEMENTED A SPECIAL POLICY BY NOTIFYING CONSUMERS THAT IF THEY SHOULD EXPERIENCE A BRAKE LAMP FAILURE TO GO TO THEIR GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CIRCUIT BOARD CONTAINING THE BRAKE LAMP REPLACED ALONG WITH NEW BULBS.THIS POLICY IS GOOD FOR THE FIRST 6 YEARS OR 72,000 MILES OF THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.ODI WILL UPGRADE THIS INVESTIGATION TO EA 04-021 AND INCLUDE THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLES.