IllustrationWHILE DRIVING FUEL LEVEL GAUGE JUMPS UP AND DOWN FROM EMPTY TO FULL. IT STAYS AT WHAT EVER LEVEL IT WANTS TO. YOU CANNOT BE CERTAIN HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN GAS TANK AT ANY CERTAIN TIME! *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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
43 reportsI SMELLED GAS AND TOOK IT TO MY LOCATION TIRE SHOP. THEY FOUND THE FILLER TO THE GAS TANK HAS A CRACK. THEY SAID THAT THE GAS TANK WOULD HAVE TO REPLACED. I DID A INTERNET SEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
HEADLIGHTS , REAR LIGHTS AND BRAKELIGHTS BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL DOZEN TIMES. THEY BURN UP SO NEED REPLACING. HAVE REPLACED FULL BOARDS IN REAR LIGHTS AS WELL, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS ALL GO OUT AGAIN AND WILL REPLACE AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE PAST AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS WITH SAM…
Read full complaint
HEADLIGHTS , REAR LIGHTS AND BRAKELIGHTS BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL DOZEN TIMES. THEY BURN UP SO NEED REPLACING. HAVE REPLACED FULL BOARDS IN REAR LIGHTS AS WELL, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS ALL GO OUT AGAIN AND WILL REPLACE AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE PAST AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS WITH SAME PROBLEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS BUT MINE HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET. STRONG SMELL OF GAS HAS STARTED OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. I AM ASSUMING AS STATED IN SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS IT IS DUE TO THE FUEL LINE HAVING SOME SORT OF CRACK.
AFTER COMPLETELY FILLING THE GAS TANK, FUEL BEGAN HEAVILY POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A LEAK WHERE THE FUEL HOSE (NOT SURE OF THE EXACT PART NAMES) MEETS THE FUEL TANK. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS OTHER COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE ARE VERY NUMEROUS. *TR
I FEEL THAT I'M BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY, BECAUSE OF A SYSTEM CREATED BY GM,TO DETERMINE WHICH MODEL TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES ARE ARE SELECTED FOR RECALL REPAIR WITH SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS. EVEN IF THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME, IN MY CASE. IE: A FAULTY FUEL TANK, THAT LEAKS FUEL. TODAY I HAD MY TANK TESTED BY A CHEVY DEALER, WHO TOLD ME I…
Read full complaint
I FEEL THAT I'M BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY, BECAUSE OF A SYSTEM CREATED BY GM,TO DETERMINE WHICH MODEL TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES ARE ARE SELECTED FOR RECALL REPAIR WITH SAFETY RELATED PROBLEMS. EVEN IF THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME, IN MY CASE. IE: A FAULTY FUEL TANK, THAT LEAKS FUEL. TODAY I HAD MY TANK TESTED BY A CHEVY DEALER, WHO TOLD ME I HAD A CRACKED TANK, WHERE THE FUEL TANK FILLER-NECK CONNECTS TO THE TANK. HE SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BECAUSE MY MODEL WAS NOT A TRAILBLAZER EXT. MY MODEL IS TRAILBLAZER LS. BUT IT HAS THE SAME UNSAFE LEAK, FROM THE SAME LOCATION, AS THE EXT MODEL. MY MILEAGE, AND YEAR FIT THE RECALL,AND SO DOES THE PROBLEM. SO! WHY NOT THE FIX? THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $1700 TO REPAIR. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SAME UNSAFE PROBLEM, THAT OTHERS ARE NOT? I CAN SHOW YOU PHOTOS OF 3 DIFFERENT TRAILBLAZER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND YOU COULD NOT PICK OUT WHICH ONE WAS MINE. SO WHY ARE THEY ONLY FIXING ONE MODEL..ALSO I'M STARTING TO GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPPING ON AND OFF. THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK LEAK. SO NOW, WHEN I GO TO EMISSIONS TESTING I'M GOING TO FAIL. MAKING ME RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, THAT ARE CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. *TR
AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IT WAS HIDDEN TO ME THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION THEY TOLD ME IT WAS TOO LATE. I SINCE JOINED A FORUM FOR MY TRUCK AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THIS TYPE IN THE PAST YEARS. *TR
I HAVE A FUEL TANK LEAK ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT, AT 112500 MILES. AFTER READING READING SIMILAR STORIES ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A "SERVICE BULLETIN" WAS PUT OUT, BUT NO FORMAL RECALL. THERE WERE ONLY CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS THAT WERE ELIGIBLE, BUT THE SAME PARTS WERE USED REGARDLESS O…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A FUEL TANK LEAK ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT, AT 112500 MILES. AFTER READING READING SIMILAR STORIES ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A "SERVICE BULLETIN" WAS PUT OUT, BUT NO FORMAL RECALL. THERE WERE ONLY CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS THAT WERE ELIGIBLE, BUT THE SAME PARTS WERE USED REGARDLESS OF THE VIN. MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER ADVISED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1000-1200. I CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHO ADVISED ABOUT THE BULLETIN AND THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE, AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS WERE USED IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THESE VEHICLES. CHEVROLET IS WILLING TO STEP UP AND HELP SOME OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, BUT NOT ALL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AS IT RELATES TO THIS. *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR PROVIDED AN INACCURATE READING OF EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SERVICE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…
Read full complaint
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR PROVIDED AN INACCURATE READING OF EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SERVICE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. KMJ
MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER SUDDENLY OMITS A TERRIBLE GASOLINE SMELL WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND WHEN I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A LEAK AT THE GAS TANK (BY A SEAL) WHICH CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE GAS TANK FOR APPROX $ 800-$900 FOR THE TANK ONLY, NOT INC LABOR.…
Read full complaint
MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER SUDDENLY OMITS A TERRIBLE GASOLINE SMELL WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND WHEN I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A LEAK AT THE GAS TANK (BY A SEAL) WHICH CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE GAS TANK FOR APPROX $ 800-$900 FOR THE TANK ONLY, NOT INC LABOR. I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE NEW IN 2004 AND IT WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY FACTOR, IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD? BEING ON A FIXED INCOME I AM UNABLE TO SHELL OUT MONEY FOR A NEW GAS TANK AT THIS TIME. WAS THERE A RECALL CONCERNING THIS MATTER? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS N…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
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.