Illustration2004 TRAILBLAZER WITH SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. *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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE PARKED, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 120 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BECOME STUCK ON 100 OR 0 MPH WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR IN PARK. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000. UPDATED 02/14/08. *LJ
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ONTO THE HIGHWAY ON JANUARY 4, 2008 AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO. AFTER WE STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND THEN STEADIED AROUND 50 MPH EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TO BE TRAVELING FASTER THAN THAT TO KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. NOW WHEN IT IDLES…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ONTO THE HIGHWAY ON JANUARY 4, 2008 AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO. AFTER WE STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND THEN STEADIED AROUND 50 MPH EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TO BE TRAVELING FASTER THAN THAT TO KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. NOW WHEN IT IDLES, THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY CATCHES. BUD WOLF CHEVROLET SAID ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH, THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS THE TRAILBLAZERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS A NUMBER OF OTHER GM SUV'S AND TRUCKS. (THEY FIXED 5 TRAILBLAZERS IN THE PAST MONTH THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER). HOWEVER, I LEARNED THAT THEY WERE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS AND WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR TODAY. WHEN I CALLED OTHER DEALERS, AND CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, MANY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS ARE UNHAPPY BECAUSE THEY ARE EITHER HAVING TO PAY $500 FOR THE REPAIR OR DRIVE THEIR VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY SPEEDOMETER BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
SPEEDOMETER IN VEHICLE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN PARKED THE SPEEDOMETER IS INDICATING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 AND 90 MPH WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL TRAVEL SPORADICALLY UP FROM ITS START POINT UNTIL IT REACHES ITS MAX LOCATION. WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SOMETIMES TRAVEL BACK TOWARDS ITS START …
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SPEEDOMETER IN VEHICLE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN PARKED THE SPEEDOMETER IS INDICATING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 AND 90 MPH WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL TRAVEL SPORADICALLY UP FROM ITS START POINT UNTIL IT REACHES ITS MAX LOCATION. WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SOMETIMES TRAVEL BACK TOWARDS ITS START POINT, SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. I DO CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM SHOULD ADDRESS. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS REVEALED 100'S OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM IN TRAILBLAZERS, AS WELL AS WITH GMC YUKON'S, SIERRA PICK UPS, CHEVY TAHOE'S, AVALANCHE'S, AND SILVERADO'S. THERE HAS BEEN AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY ON SEVERAL MODELS TO REPAIR THIS DEFECTIVE GAUGE CLUSTER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE TRAILBLAZER HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS EXTENSION. *TR
SPEEDOMETER DEFECT IN 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. *TR
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER JUMPS, REGISTERS INCORRECTLY IE: 30MPH WHEN GOING 65MPG, OR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL, WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT READS AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN YOU ARE TRAVELING, OFTEN GOING PAST THE 120 MPH LIMIT ON THE SPEEDOMETER FACE. IT IS A CONSTANTLY OCCURRING PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT STOPPED SINCE IT BEGAN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT SPEED THEY ARE TRAVELING, WH…
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SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT READS AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN YOU ARE TRAVELING, OFTEN GOING PAST THE 120 MPH LIMIT ON THE SPEEDOMETER FACE. IT IS A CONSTANTLY OCCURRING PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT STOPPED SINCE IT BEGAN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT SPEED THEY ARE TRAVELING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS. *TR
GAUGE CLUSTER IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. (TACHOMETER & SPEEDOMETER). *TR
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. NOT ONLY DID THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER NOT WORK, THEY BOTH REGISTERED THE WRONG INFORMATION. AT TIMES, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BE READING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY GOING AROUND 55-60 MPH. IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE WRONG, IT DOES NOT CAUSE TOO MUCH TR…
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THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. NOT ONLY DID THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER NOT WORK, THEY BOTH REGISTERED THE WRONG INFORMATION. AT TIMES, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BE READING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY GOING AROUND 55-60 MPH. IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE WRONG, IT DOES NOT CAUSE TOO MUCH TROUBLE, BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE IF SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE TOO OFTEN, SAY A SPOUSE, AND THEY HEAD INTO A SHARP CURVE WITH A WARNING SIGN POSTED AT 25MPH, AND THEY LOOK AT THE SPEEDOMETER FOR VERIFICATION, AND FORGET THAT IT IS WRONG. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, WHEN IT IS HARDER TO JUDGE YOUR SPEED. GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENGINEERING FLAW ON THEIR VEHICLES. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. AS A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN ONE OF THE THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN NORTH CAROLINA, I FEEL QUALIFIED TO MAKE THE STATEMENT THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND SHOULD PROMPT ACTION BY THE NHTSA TO FORCE GM TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AT NO CHARGE. INSTEAD GM IS MAKING A LOT OF MONEY OFF THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE REPAIRS. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, ABOUT $500 PER VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETERS GO OUT AROUND 40-50 K MILES. *TR
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.