SPEEDOMETER FAULTY AND SHOWING WILDLY INACCURATE SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL RANGE FROM 10 MPH TO 120 MPH! WHILE CONDUCTING RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH GM TRUCKS AND THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY VEHICLE IS RECENTLY OU…
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SPEEDOMETER FAULTY AND SHOWING WILDLY INACCURATE SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL RANGE FROM 10 MPH TO 120 MPH! WHILE CONDUCTING RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH GM TRUCKS AND THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY VEHICLE IS RECENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR WILL COST OVER $600. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184287
45,000 miles · Mar 5, 2007
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER BEGAN TO SHOW THE WRONG SPEED AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES. THE NEEDLE WOULD INCREASE WITH SPEED AS IT SHOULD HAVE BUT WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN AGAIN LIKE IT SHOULD. THEN IT QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER AND THE NEEDLE JUST HANGS LIMP. WE HAD THE SPEEDOMETER DIAGNOSED AT ANOTHER FACILITY SINCE THIS …
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THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER BEGAN TO SHOW THE WRONG SPEED AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES. THE NEEDLE WOULD INCREASE WITH SPEED AS IT SHOULD HAVE BUT WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN AGAIN LIKE IT SHOULD. THEN IT QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER AND THE NEEDLE JUST HANGS LIMP. WE HAD THE SPEEDOMETER DIAGNOSED AT ANOTHER FACILITY SINCE THIS OCCURRED AROUND THE HOLIDAYS AND GM DEALERS COULD NOT GET US IN. MY WIFE HAS BEEN COMMUTING 20-30 MILES DAILY HAVING NO IDEA HOW FAST SHE IS GOING BECAUSE GM REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR STORIES AFTER RESEARCHING IT ON THE INTERNET. EVERY PERSON I KNOW WITH A LARGE GM VEHICLE HAS HAD TO REPLACE IT BETWEEN 40,000 AND 50,000 MILES. THE FACILITY THAT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM SAID THAT THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD WAS STRIPPED AND THE DEALERSHIPS KNOW THE PRICE OF THIS PART OFF THE TOP OF THEIR HEADS, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THEY REPLACE MANY OF THEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184189
32,000 miles · Feb 20, 2007
Electrical System
MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS SPEEDOMETER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. IT WILL REGISTER SPEEDS 25-35 MILES PER HOUR OVER ACTUAL. IT ALSO DOES NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY BUT JERKS TO THE NEXT NUMBER. VERY DANGEROUS, AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING ON THE ENVOY, TAHOE AND AVALANCHE MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE Q…
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MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS SPEEDOMETER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. IT WILL REGISTER SPEEDS 25-35 MILES PER HOUR OVER ACTUAL. IT ALSO DOES NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY BUT JERKS TO THE NEXT NUMBER. VERY DANGEROUS, AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING ON THE ENVOY, TAHOE AND AVALANCHE MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE QUALIFIED AS A SAFETY RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10183092
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2007
Electrical System
ODOMETER FAILURE AFTER 81,000 MILES... ODOMETER WILL LOCK ON DIFFERENT SPEEDS, FROM 10-40- 110 MPH EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT TRAVELING THAT SPEED. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE SO MANY CHEVROLET TAHOE AND TRAILBLAZERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PART CAN RUN OVER $300.00 SOMETIM…
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ODOMETER FAILURE AFTER 81,000 MILES... ODOMETER WILL LOCK ON DIFFERENT SPEEDS, FROM 10-40- 110 MPH EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT TRAVELING THAT SPEED. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE SO MANY CHEVROLET TAHOE AND TRAILBLAZERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PART CAN RUN OVER $300.00 SOMETIMES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10181879
15,000 miles · Feb 6, 2007
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY STARTED READING RANDOMLY, USUALLY 10-15 MPH TOO HIGH. INTERMITTENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10181797
34,000 miles · Jan 28, 2007
Electrical System
DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON/STAY ON/GO OFF RANDOMLY. ADDITIONALLY, ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, DECREASED ENGINE POWER HAS OCCURRED. SHUTTING VEHICLE DOWN WITH A RESTART HAS ALWAYS SOLVED THE "DECREASED POWER" ISSUE. BUT DEALERSHIP & AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE CANNOT FIX DUE TO "NO CODES STORED". WARNING LIGHT INVOLVED ARE: SERVIC…
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DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON/STAY ON/GO OFF RANDOMLY. ADDITIONALLY, ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, DECREASED ENGINE POWER HAS OCCURRED. SHUTTING VEHICLE DOWN WITH A RESTART HAS ALWAYS SOLVED THE "DECREASED POWER" ISSUE. BUT DEALERSHIP & AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE CANNOT FIX DUE TO "NO CODES STORED". WARNING LIGHT INVOLVED ARE: SERVICE ENGINE SOON, OIL CHANGE DUE AND REDUCED POWER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM HAVING STARTED ALMOST AS SOON AS WE TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE NEW WITH 250 MILES .*JB
NHTSA ODI #10180918
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS BLINK WHILE DRIVING AND SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178771
30,000 miles · Dec 26, 2006
Electrical SystemFire
ON 8/1/06 I WAS AWAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR AT 1 AM SAYING MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT THE ENTIRE INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED SINCE 8 PM THAT NIGHT AND IT WAS LOCKED. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF FORCED ENTRY AND NO SIGN O…
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ON 8/1/06 I WAS AWAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR AT 1 AM SAYING MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT THE ENTIRE INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED SINCE 8 PM THAT NIGHT AND IT WAS LOCKED. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF FORCED ENTRY AND NO SIGN OF ANY OTHER REASON FOR THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 10/04 AND HAD LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. I USED THE ROADSIDE WARRANTY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR GM TO SEND A FIRE INVESTIGATOR OUT AND THEIR INVESTIGATOR SAID HE COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE VERMONT STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BUT GM DID NOT RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINT. I HAD ELECTRICAL REPAIRS DONE JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE TOO AND THE STEREO SYSTEM HAD STOPPED WORKING JUST A MONTH BEFORE THE FIRE. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DID NOT HAVE COLLISION INSURANCE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PAID IN FULL AND MY CURRENT FINANCES DID NOT ALLOW ME TO MAINTAIN ANYTHING MORE THAN LIABILITY INSURANCE. SO NOW I HAVE NO VEHICLE AND THIS IS TOUGH WITH 3 YOUNG CHILDREN. GM REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY AND INSISTS THAT THIS MODEL VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT'S TIME SOMEONE MADE GM HONOR THE WARRANTY THEY CHARGE FOR WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10176918
52,630 miles · Dec 21, 2006
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER & TACH DO NOT WORK PROPERLY THEY READ WRONG OR NOT AT ALL. YOU CAN BE DRIVING AT 50 MPH YOU THINK, BUT IT MIGHT BE 60 OR 70. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER SERVICE THE REP SEAMED TO KNOW RIGHT AWAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. COST $400.00+ TO FIX. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10176730
19,459 miles · Nov 8, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE CUTTING OFF FOR NO REASON. THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID THAT "THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT". NOW THE CAR GAUGES AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THEY SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK AT ALL AND AFTER A WHILE TURN ON. *JB
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.
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
4
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.
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.
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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