NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
627 reportsClear category filter35,185 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Electrical System
10/04/09, INSTRUMENT PANEL OF 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. SPEEDOMETER AND ALL GAUGES ARE INACCURATE, CYCLE ON AND OFF, WARNING LIGHTS CYCLE RANDOMLY ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ACCURATE VEHICLE SPEED. CONTACTED GM DEALERSHIP AND GM SAFETY/DEFECT REPORTING ON 10/05/09 - FILED A COMPLAINT. RESEARCH…
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10/04/09, INSTRUMENT PANEL OF 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. SPEEDOMETER AND ALL GAUGES ARE INACCURATE, CYCLE ON AND OFF, WARNING LIGHTS CYCLE RANDOMLY ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ACCURATE VEHICLE SPEED. CONTACTED GM DEALERSHIP AND GM SAFETY/DEFECT REPORTING ON 10/05/09 - FILED A COMPLAINT. RESEARCHED THAT SIMILAR GM TRUCKS/SUVS HAVE HAD SIMILAR DEFECTS AND SPECIAL COVERAGES OR RECALLS BUT NOT THE TRAILBLAZER. OTHER COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA HAVE ALSO BEEN FILED. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286380
40,000 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER IS INOPERABLE. TACHOMETER WORKS OCCASSIONALLY. OIL GAUGE IS NOW STARTING TO FAIL. THERE ARE ONLY 41,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER, IT IS UNSAFE. SPEEDOMETER WAS THE FIRST GAUGE TO GO, THEN THE TACHOMETER BEGAN TO FAULTER AND THE OIL GAUGE FOLLO…
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SPEEDOMETER IS INOPERABLE. TACHOMETER WORKS OCCASSIONALLY. OIL GAUGE IS NOW STARTING TO FAIL. THERE ARE ONLY 41,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER, IT IS UNSAFE. SPEEDOMETER WAS THE FIRST GAUGE TO GO, THEN THE TACHOMETER BEGAN TO FAULTER AND THE OIL GAUGE FOLLOWED. TACH SOMETIMES RESETS ITSELF TO ZERO AND MAY WORK FOR A WEEK BEFORE IT BEGINS TO FAIL AGAIN. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT LEADING UP TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. IT JUST BEGAN ONE GAUGE AT A TIME. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY TWO SEPERATE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD THAT INSTRUMENT FAILURE IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE IS VERY COMMON ALTHOUGH NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR $500.00 - $1000.00. ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286374
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2009
Electrical System
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ALL THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND DIGITAL DISPLAYS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. TO NAME A FEW THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND SHIFTING GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286183
55,000 miles · Oct 3, 2009
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS FAULTY GAUGES. A FEW MONTHS AGO MY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERATIVE, AND IT CURRENTLY POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN. SAME GOES WITH MY OIL GAUGE. IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED BETWEEN 500-600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR, BUT AFTER RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY CONSUMERS HAVE DONE THIS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM T…
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS FAULTY GAUGES. A FEW MONTHS AGO MY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERATIVE, AND IT CURRENTLY POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN. SAME GOES WITH MY OIL GAUGE. IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED BETWEEN 500-600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR, BUT AFTER RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY CONSUMERS HAVE DONE THIS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM TO RESURFACE. I FEEL THAT NOT KNOWING WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING POSES A MAJOR THREAT TO MY FAMILY, MYSELF AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. PLEASE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286174
49,000 miles · Sep 23, 2009
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND STARTED REPORTING THE SPEED WELL ABOVE THE SPEED I WAS GOING. MY SPEEDOMETER NOW GETS STUCK BETWEEN 70-120MPH EVEN WHEN PARKED. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE NO IDEA OF THE SPEED AT WHICH I AM TRAVELING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285037
60,000 miles · Sep 20, 2009
Electrical System
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER SHOWS INCORRECT SPEED. ACTUAL SPEED ABOUT 30MPH. SHOWS 80>120, ALSO SHOWS 120MPH WHEN SITTING STILL. VARIOUS INCORRECT SPEEDS VERY HIGH MPH WHEN ACTUAL SPEEDS 20>65.. ONGOING PROBLEM FOR PAST SEVERAL YEARS. DAUGHTER DROVE VEHICLE AND REPORTED TO DEALERSHIPS BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE EXTRAVAGANT…
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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER SHOWS INCORRECT SPEED. ACTUAL SPEED ABOUT 30MPH. SHOWS 80>120, ALSO SHOWS 120MPH WHEN SITTING STILL. VARIOUS INCORRECT SPEEDS VERY HIGH MPH WHEN ACTUAL SPEEDS 20>65.. ONGOING PROBLEM FOR PAST SEVERAL YEARS. DAUGHTER DROVE VEHICLE AND REPORTED TO DEALERSHIPS BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE EXTRAVAGANT AMOUNTS TO FIX IT. SHE COULDN'T AFFORD IT AND NOR COULD I. WE DROVE IT AS IS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284657
56,000 miles · Sep 18, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL FAILED, THEN IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT MAKE A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL FAILED, THEN IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000. BL
NHTSA ODI #10284509
54,300 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Electrical System
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT.. MY GAUGES FOR OIL, SPEEDOMETER, WATER ARE NOT WORKING AT TIMES. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SAY I AM DOING 90 WHEN IN FACT I AM ONLY GOING 35 MPH IF THAT! I DON'T USE THE HIGHWAY MUCH, MORE CITY DRIVING AND I SEE THAT MY TRAILBLAZER IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WILL THIS PROBLEM. I REALLY FEEL THAT A RECALL N…
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2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT.. MY GAUGES FOR OIL, SPEEDOMETER, WATER ARE NOT WORKING AT TIMES. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SAY I AM DOING 90 WHEN IN FACT I AM ONLY GOING 35 MPH IF THAT! I DON'T USE THE HIGHWAY MUCH, MORE CITY DRIVING AND I SEE THAT MY TRAILBLAZER IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WILL THIS PROBLEM. I REALLY FEEL THAT A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE BY GM ON THIS PROBLEM. OTHER TRAILBLAZER OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2006. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY GM DEALERSHIP THAT IT WILL BE ABOUT $600 TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE GM LISTEN TO US OWNERS AND ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284164
80,000 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Electrical System
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284144
51,000 miles · Sep 8, 2009
Electrical System
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS: 76K MILES 1. INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT REGISTER CORRECT SPEED AND WILL MOVE PAST 120 MPH WHEN IN PARK (NEEDLE POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN), SOUNDS LIKE A POPPING OR CRACKLING NOISE FROM INSTRUMENT PANEL AT TIMES. I THOU…
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2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS: 76K MILES 1. INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT REGISTER CORRECT SPEED AND WILL MOVE PAST 120 MPH WHEN IN PARK (NEEDLE POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN), SOUNDS LIKE A POPPING OR CRACKLING NOISE FROM INSTRUMENT PANEL AT TIMES. I THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM WAS MORE PRONE TO HAPPEN MORE WITH VERY COLD OR VERY HOT TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE BUT NOW ALSO HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE IS OUTSIDE. ONLY WAY I HAVE FOUND TO GET SPEEDOMETER BACK TO ZERO IS TO START ENGINE AND TURN OFF ENGINE AFTER MINUTE OR SO - THIS PROCESS COULD TAKE STARTING/RE-STARTING 20 TO 30 TIMES TO GET SPEEDOMETER BACK TO ZERO. BAD FOR STARTER AND CONSUMES TOO MUCH GASOLINE TO CONTINUE DOING THIS. 2. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. ALL ELECTRICAL (LIGHTS, RADIO, A/C, ETC.) CUT OFFS AND ENGINE CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS - SOMETIMES THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES OCCURS WHEN SLOWING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AT TIMES I WILL SMELL A BURNING SMELL LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE CAR AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD BUT CANNOT SEE ANYTHING BURNING HOWEVER I SMELL IT. AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A FEW MINUTES IT CAN BE RESTARTED AND I DO NOT SMELL THE BURNING SMELL. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH COLLEGE/HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN (AGES 25, 22, 17) LIVING AT HOME AND I HAVE A 7 MONTH OLD GRANDCHILD AT HOME. I AM ON A VERY LIMITED BUDGET AND DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE SAFETY ISSUES. THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS ON THE INTERNET. WHEN WILL GM BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND SELLING LEMONS!?! GM NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR THESE LEMONS - THE CONSUMER'S SAFETY IS AT STAKE HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283352
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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