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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.

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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

93 reports
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110,000 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL WOULD SPILL OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FILLER WAS FRACTURED. THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE FUEL TAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL WOULD SPILL OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FILLER WAS FRACTURED. THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10443325

103,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL NECK LINE, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL NECK LINE, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10442295

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE IS SHOWING AN INCORRECT SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING, THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE STICKS OR STOPS WORKING, THE FUEL GAUGE FLUTTERS OR THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435300

37,820 miles · Nov 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

WE HAVE A LOW MILEAGE 2004 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER (UNDER 45,000 MILES AS OF SEPTEMBER 2011). IN MARCH 2011, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND TRIED SOME FIXES WITH THE BATTERY CABLES. ALL RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT, BUT EACH TIME THE LIGHT WOULD AGAIN ILLUMINATE AFTER SEVERAL DAYS HAD PASSED. IN AUGUST 2…

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WE HAVE A LOW MILEAGE 2004 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER (UNDER 45,000 MILES AS OF SEPTEMBER 2011). IN MARCH 2011, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND TRIED SOME FIXES WITH THE BATTERY CABLES. ALL RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT, BUT EACH TIME THE LIGHT WOULD AGAIN ILLUMINATE AFTER SEVERAL DAYS HAD PASSED. IN AUGUST 2011, WE TOOK IT TO TEXAS AUTO SERVICE TO HAVE THEM TEST THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR AND WE THEN PAID FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE CANISTER VENT SOLENOID. ONCE AGAIN, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF DAYS AND THEN CAME BACK ON. IN LATE SEPTEMBER WE TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE - AND AFTER 2 DAYS OF TESTING, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACK. WE THEN PICKED IT UP FROM FIRESTONE AND TOOK IT TO BANKSTON CHEVROLET IN FT WORTH - AFTER ANOTHER DAY OF TESTING, THEY CONCURRED AND WE WERE FORCED TO PAY $1336.18 TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED... OTHERWISE WE RAN THE RISK OF A FIRE. WE DID RESEARCH AND FIND THAT MANY OF THE GM TRUCKS HAVE HAD RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE - BUT NOT OUR SPECIFIC YEAR/MODEL AND VIN NUMBER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433883

85,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE GETTING A TUNEUP, THIRD PARTY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE NECK OF THE GAS TANK, WHERE THE FILLER TUBE MEETS THE TANK ITSELF. I WAS ADVISED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FOR THE SAME DEFECT. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THERE WAS A NHTSA INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD MY VIN# DID NOT FALL WITHIN TH…

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WHILE GETTING A TUNEUP, THIRD PARTY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE NECK OF THE GAS TANK, WHERE THE FILLER TUBE MEETS THE TANK ITSELF. I WAS ADVISED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FOR THE SAME DEFECT. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THERE WAS A NHTSA INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD MY VIN# DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. THE THIRD PARTY MECHANIC ADVISED $800 TO REPLACE THE TANK. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A GM DEALER AND HAVE A GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC VERIFIY THE THIRD PARTY MECHANIC'S FINDINGS. I DID SO AND WAS CHARGED BY THE GM DEALER TO VERIFY THERE WAS A CRACK. WHEN GM CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED BACK AND VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEY ASSIGNED ME TO A GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE WHO WOULD INVESTIGATE IF THEY COULD ASSIST ME WITH THE REPAIRS. APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS LATER I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME BECAUSE THE PROBLEM I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OWNERS OF 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH FRACTURED, CRACKED AND BROKEN CONNECTIONS ON THE GAS TANK WHERE THE FILLER TUBE MEETS THE TANK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL FOR THIS HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. MY VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT. WE DON'T LIVE IN A STATE THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A "CORROSIVE HAZARD STATE". IF THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO THE SAME PART ON THE SAME VEHICLE, WHAT IS KEEPING A RECALL FROM BEING ISSUED? *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429522

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING IT GOES AROUND IN CIRCLES DOES NOT MEASURE FUEL AND HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS, THE GAUGE STARTED MEASURING INCORRECTLY, THEN MOVING FROM FULL TO EMPTY GOING IN CIRCLES NOW ITS STUCK ARROW POINTING DOWNWARD, MY FAMILY AND I WERE LUCKY THAT THE VEHICLE BEHIND US WAS NOT SPEE…

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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING IT GOES AROUND IN CIRCLES DOES NOT MEASURE FUEL AND HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS, THE GAUGE STARTED MEASURING INCORRECTLY, THEN MOVING FROM FULL TO EMPTY GOING IN CIRCLES NOW ITS STUCK ARROW POINTING DOWNWARD, MY FAMILY AND I WERE LUCKY THAT THE VEHICLE BEHIND US WAS NOT SPEEDING OR ELSE HE WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF OUR SUV AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429510

125,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS. THE CONTACT NOTICED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS. THE CONTACT NOTICED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10026522 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10428244

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

MY HEAD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON RANDOMLY. RANDOMLY THEY DO. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. NO, IT'S NOT LIGHT BULB REPLACEMET ISSUES.....OTHER BLOG SITES HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. VERY DANGEROUS!!!! THE GAS GAUGE ALSO IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE GAS GETS LOW IT BLINKS ON FOR A SECO…

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MY HEAD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON RANDOMLY. RANDOMLY THEY DO. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. NO, IT'S NOT LIGHT BULB REPLACEMET ISSUES.....OTHER BLOG SITES HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. VERY DANGEROUS!!!! THE GAS GAUGE ALSO IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE GAS GETS LOW IT BLINKS ON FOR A SECOND THEN ADDS MORE GAS TO THE PANEL. PEOPLE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS UNKNOWINGLY. ALSO VERY DANGEROUS! *TT

NHTSA ODI #10427698

102,103 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT: CAUSING FUEL GAUGE TO NOT READ CORRECTLY OR ALL TOGETHER. WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE BUT DON'T HAVE THE $600 QUOTED BY THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422687

100,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, RAN OUT OF GAS ON A BUSY FOUR LANE HIGHWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. I NOW BECAME A MAJOR TRAFFIC PROBLEM UNTIL SOME NICE CITIZEN HELPED ME PUSH THE TRUCK OUT OF HARMS WAY, HAVING TO STOP BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC SO I COULD CROSS. HAD I A …

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INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, RAN OUT OF GAS ON A BUSY FOUR LANE HIGHWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. I NOW BECAME A MAJOR TRAFFIC PROBLEM UNTIL SOME NICE CITIZEN HELPED ME PUSH THE TRUCK OUT OF HARMS WAY, HAVING TO STOP BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC SO I COULD CROSS. HAD I A WORKING GAS GAUGE I FEEL THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, NONE OF THE INSTRUMENTS IN THE VEHICLE WORK, CHEVY HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS,BUT NOT THE TRAILBLAZER. WHY? *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419767

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.