← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
Clear category filter
49,500 miles · Nov 5, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY. EITHER POSTS NO SPEED, OR SHOWS A SPEED THAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT CORRECT. TURNING OFF CAR, AND RESTARTING CORRECTS THE PROBLEM FOR THE MOMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172660

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2006
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. EARLY LAST MONTH I DISCOVERED MY SPEEDOMETER METER NOT STOPPING AT 0 MPH WHEN I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT STOPPED AT 20 MPH. THIS MEANT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INDICATING A SPEED FASTER THAN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING. WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THAT EVENING AND BACK ON THE NEXT MORNING, IT RES…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. EARLY LAST MONTH I DISCOVERED MY SPEEDOMETER METER NOT STOPPING AT 0 MPH WHEN I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT STOPPED AT 20 MPH. THIS MEANT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INDICATING A SPEED FASTER THAN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING. WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THAT EVENING AND BACK ON THE NEXT MORNING, IT RESET AND RETURNED TO 0 MPH. AS THE MONTH PROGRESSED, THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATOR CONTINUED EXHIBITING THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE INDICATOR TO EXCEED PASSED THE 120 MPH INDICATOR. THE ONLY RESOLUTION HAS BEEN TO CONTINUOUSLY TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. DEPENDING ON WHERE THE INDICATOR STOPS WILL DICTATE HOW MANY TIMES I'LL HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET THE INDICATOR BACK TO 0 MPH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171259

37,000 miles · Sep 18, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

I PARKED AND TURNED OFF MY CAR AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING, NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AT ALL UNTIL THE FIRE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168509

51,000 miles · Aug 15, 2006
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GAUGES ON THE DASH DON'T WORK. THE GET STUCK AT SAY 50 MPH AND 7000 RPMS. SO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR WHAT THE TRUE RPM'S ARE. THAN IT TAKES ABOUT A WEEK AND YOUR DASH WILL START WORKING AGAIN. MY MECHANIC HAD 4 OTHER TRAILBLAZERS AT HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT COST 400.00 TO …

Read full complaint

THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GAUGES ON THE DASH DON'T WORK. THE GET STUCK AT SAY 50 MPH AND 7000 RPMS. SO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR WHAT THE TRUE RPM'S ARE. THAN IT TAKES ABOUT A WEEK AND YOUR DASH WILL START WORKING AGAIN. MY MECHANIC HAD 4 OTHER TRAILBLAZERS AT HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT COST 400.00 TO FIX AND YOU ARE WITH OUT A CAR FOR TWO DAYS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165592

48,000 miles · May 26, 2006
Electrical SystemInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR TO AN HOUR AND A HALF, THE CONTROLS ON THE DOOR AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A MINOR BURN TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTROL PANEL ON THE RADIO ALSO BLACKED OUT AND THE CLOCK RESET ITSELF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE COMPUTER STORED …

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR TO AN HOUR AND A HALF, THE CONTROLS ON THE DOOR AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A MINOR BURN TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTROL PANEL ON THE RADIO ALSO BLACKED OUT AND THE CLOCK RESET ITSELF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE COMPUTER STORED NO CODES AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

NHTSA ODI #10158332

16,818 miles · May 17, 2006
Electrical SystemFire

CAR DIED ON EXIT RAMP OF 290 AND THORNDALE. PUSHED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD WHERE WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. UPON OPENING HOOD SAW FIRE COMING FROM FILTER UNDER AIR CLEANER COMPARTMENT. FLAGGED DOWN POLICE OFFICER WHO HELPED PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HAD CAR TOWED TO ADVANTAGE CHEVROLET WHO SAID THEY HAD …

Read full complaint

CAR DIED ON EXIT RAMP OF 290 AND THORNDALE. PUSHED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD WHERE WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. UPON OPENING HOOD SAW FIRE COMING FROM FILTER UNDER AIR CLEANER COMPARTMENT. FLAGGED DOWN POLICE OFFICER WHO HELPED PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HAD CAR TOWED TO ADVANTAGE CHEVROLET WHO SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND PERHAPS A CIGERETTE GOT SUCKED IN AND STARTED THE FIRE. CONTACTED GM WHO SENT OUT A REP AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN FIRE SO HE CONCLUDED GM WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR MUST HAVE SUCKED IN SOME FOREIGN OBJECT AND IT WAS NOT A MECHANICAL FAILURE. CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER MY INSURANCE, WHO IS FIGHTING THE CLAIM. PARTS REPLACED WERE AIR CLEANER COMPARTMENT, DUCTS, CLAMPS, SENSORS, SNORKEL, ELEMENT ETC. WAS TOLD OLD PARTS WERE IN BACK OF CAR, BUT WHEN WE LOOKED PARTS WERE MISSING. DEALER STILL LOOKING FOR PARTS. NO ONE HAS YET TO ADDRESS WHY CAR DIED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10157722

44,000 miles · May 1, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I OWN A 2004 TRAILBRAZER THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE GM RECALL ON LOSE BRAKE-LAMP FUNCTION OR HAVE BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ALWAYS ON. ON VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THAT FUNCTION ALSO BECOMES INOPERATIVE. . THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CONTACTED GM TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ISSUE AFTER RECEIVING TH…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2004 TRAILBRAZER THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE GM RECALL ON LOSE BRAKE-LAMP FUNCTION OR HAVE BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ALWAYS ON. ON VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THAT FUNCTION ALSO BECOMES INOPERATIVE. . THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CONTACTED GM TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ISSUE AFTER RECEIVING THREE COMPLAINTS, AND THE COMPANY ISSUED THE RECALL IN RESPONSE, ADLER SAID. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156514

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2006
Electrical System

WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS A PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT MAY OR MAY NOT STALL, BUT IT GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WITH ALL SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS ON. IT DID STALL ONE PARTICULAR TIME WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. SHE WAS ON A STEEP HILL AND THE VEHICL…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS A PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT MAY OR MAY NOT STALL, BUT IT GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WITH ALL SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS ON. IT DID STALL ONE PARTICULAR TIME WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. SHE WAS ON A STEEP HILL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED BACKWARD DOWN THE HILL. IT WAS VARY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE FOR HER WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ON. LUCKLY NO ONE WAS BEHIND HER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO OUR DEALERSHIP FOR THE 5TH TIME NOW AND TWICE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10154722

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS DIM AND HEADLIGHTS DIM AT THE SAME TIME. THE LIGHTS THEN IMMEDIATELY FLICKER BACK TO NORMAL NIGHTTIME LIGHTS. IT APPEARS THEY ARE FLICKERING BETWEEN DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME SETTINGS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10153413

6,500 miles · Feb 7, 2006
Electrical System

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS. IN THE RATHER SHORT TIME I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER REPAIR 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME GROUP OF PROBLEMS. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEEP POINTING TO THE SKY RANDOMLY CAUSING BRIEF CONFUSION WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. THE PRE-SET MEMORY KEEPS CLEARING ITSELF.…

Read full complaint

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS. IN THE RATHER SHORT TIME I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER REPAIR 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME GROUP OF PROBLEMS. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEEP POINTING TO THE SKY RANDOMLY CAUSING BRIEF CONFUSION WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. THE PRE-SET MEMORY KEEPS CLEARING ITSELF. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS OFTEN GO VERY DIM AND FLICKER CAUSING DISTRACTION TO THE OTHER DRIVERS AND FEAR IN THE DRIVER OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW CONTROLS RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT. ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER BUT NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. SEVERAL COMPUTER REPROGRAMMING AND PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL REMAIN. THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT INFORMATION POSTED ON THE INTERNET BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE IS VALID. THAT IS BULL~H@T !THEY SEEM RELUCTANT TO CONTINUE TROUBLESHOOTING IT. MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT IT ENDS UP BURNING TO THE GROUND LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED. SOMETHING HAS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149683

Official recalls

2

05V198000 · 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

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.

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.