NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
627 reportsClear category filter39,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS READING INACCURATELY. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS READING INACCURATELY. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10413421
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2011
Electrical System
ON JUNE 23, 2011, I CRANKED MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT AND THE GAUGES (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ETC.) BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE AT A RAPID SPEED. THE SUV CUT OFF AND I ATTEMPTED TO CRANK IT AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AS I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE H…
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ON JUNE 23, 2011, I CRANKED MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT AND THE GAUGES (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ETC.) BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE AT A RAPID SPEED. THE SUV CUT OFF AND I ATTEMPTED TO CRANK IT AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AS I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. I SLOWED DOWN, BUT I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST NOR SLOW I WAS GOING. I PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED THE SUV OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 70 MILES PER HOUR WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED AT 70 MPH AS I MADE MY WAY BACK TO THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE READ SEVERAL, LITERALLY HUNDREDS, OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS ONLINE ABOUT CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE ARE NO RECALLS REGARDING THIS MALFUNCTION. THE FIRST TIME MY GAUGES FLUCTUATED WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED THE SUV. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT AND HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS, SO I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A GLITCH AND THOUGHT NOTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. AFTER READING OTHER CONSUMERS' CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED MOST OF THEM HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SPEEDOMETERS DURING THE SECOND YEAR AFTER THE SUV WAS PURCHASED. IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ONE CANNOT GAUGE HIS OR HER SPEED WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT'S DANGEROUS AT CROSSWALKS, SCHOOLS ZONES, AND EVERY ROAD AND HIGHWAY WE TRAVEL ON. CONSUMERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO THEIR CHEVROLET SERVICE MECHANICS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT MANY ARE TOLD THE PART HAS TO BE REPLACED OR THE ENTIRE CONSOLE HAS TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. I AM PERSUADED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH HAS AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE SPEEDOMETER. HOPEFULLY THIS MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED WITHOUT ANY TRAGIC ENDINGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408731
55,200 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILER BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILER BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ UPDATED 08/26/11
NHTSA ODI #10406093
69,258 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SPEED ODOMETER REGISTERED OVER 120 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SPEED ODOMETER REGISTERED OVER 120 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,258. UPDATED 07/18/11
NHTSA ODI #10404142
105,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER GOES ERRATIC. WHEN IDLING AT STOP SPEEDOMETER IS SITTING AT APPROX 90 TO 110 MPH AND WHEN MOVING FROM A STOP CONTINUES TO THE 6:00 POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403984
19,460 miles · May 24, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH THE CHIMING OF A WARNING ALARM, FOLLOWED BY THE MALFUNCTION OF ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH THE CHIMING OF A WARNING ALARM, FOLLOWED BY THE MALFUNCTION OF ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,460. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 11/28/11
NHTSA ODI #10402584
101,368 miles · May 11, 2011
Electrical System
OIL GAUGE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING IN OCTOBER 2010. IN MAY 2011 NOW THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE READ OF MANY COMPLAINTS ON 2003 TRAILBLAZER HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND YET NO RECALL. HOW IS THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONING NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL WHEN T…
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OIL GAUGE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING IN OCTOBER 2010. IN MAY 2011 NOW THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE READ OF MANY COMPLAINTS ON 2003 TRAILBLAZER HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND YET NO RECALL. HOW IS THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONING NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL WHEN THIS APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT IN CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS?
NHTSA ODI #10400508
14,367 miles · May 10, 2011
Electrical System
DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE THE SPEEDOMETER ON OUR 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SUDDENLY STARTED TO CLIMB AND THEN DECEND DONE TO WELL BELOW -0 MPH AND STAYED THERE EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER IS CURRENTLY FROZEN AT ABOUT 20 MHP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE HOW FAST WE'RE TRAVELING. DEALER QUOTED R…
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DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE THE SPEEDOMETER ON OUR 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SUDDENLY STARTED TO CLIMB AND THEN DECEND DONE TO WELL BELOW -0 MPH AND STAYED THERE EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER IS CURRENTLY FROZEN AT ABOUT 20 MHP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE HOW FAST WE'RE TRAVELING. DEALER QUOTED REPAIRS AT APPX $800. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399835
62,000 miles · May 3, 2011
Electrical System
DASH CLUSTER: TACHOMETER FAILED A 62,000, SPEEDOMETER AT 120,000, NOW THE GAS GAUGE IS ACTING UP. IF 2005-2007 ARE BAD NEED TO ADD 2004.
NHTSA ODI #10399052
90,000 miles · May 3, 2011
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IS MALFUNCTIONING. AT SOME POINTS IT SEEMS TO WORK CORRECTLY, THEN IT WILL STICK, OR DROP TO ZERO. SOMETIMES I CAN BE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH AND THE READING WILL BE AT 110+. I AM READING THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THAT IT IS WIDESPREAD, BUT AS FAR…
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THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IS MALFUNCTIONING. AT SOME POINTS IT SEEMS TO WORK CORRECTLY, THEN IT WILL STICK, OR DROP TO ZERO. SOMETIMES I CAN BE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH AND THE READING WILL BE AT 110+. I AM READING THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THAT IT IS WIDESPREAD, BUT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THERE IS NO RECALL. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS ON THE FREEWAY - GOING 55MPH - I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT SAID I WAS GOING 110! NO OTHER CARS AROUND - VERY HARD TO JUDGE SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398805
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.
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