IllustrationWHEN YOU CUT THE WHEELS HARD LEFT OR RIGHT THE SUV TRAILBLAZER ENGINE STALLS OUT. WHY WASN'T I INFORMED ABOUT RECALL NOTICES ON TAILLIGHT SYSTEMS I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. *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
Steering complaints
13 reportsSHUT CAR OFF AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART KEY WOULD NOT TURN. STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. AN HOUR LATER RETURNED TO HAVE IT TOWED AND TRIED THE KEY AND VEHICLE STARTED. *TR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. OIL PRESSURE AND AMPS GAUGE MALFUNCTION. MECHANIC QUOTED PRICE $650 TO REPLACE CLUSTER. EMISSIONS FAILURE PAID DEALER APPROXIMATELY $375 TO REPLACE EMISSIONS PUMP. AIR CONDITIONING MODE MOTOR ACTUATOR OUT; BLOWER DOESN'T OPERATE ON HIGH SETTING. DEALER QUOTED PRICE $750 T…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. OIL PRESSURE AND AMPS GAUGE MALFUNCTION. MECHANIC QUOTED PRICE $650 TO REPLACE CLUSTER. EMISSIONS FAILURE PAID DEALER APPROXIMATELY $375 TO REPLACE EMISSIONS PUMP. AIR CONDITIONING MODE MOTOR ACTUATOR OUT; BLOWER DOESN'T OPERATE ON HIGH SETTING. DEALER QUOTED PRICE $750 TO FIX AIR CONDITIONER. SPORADIC ELECTRICAL ISSUES-SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON-FIRST TIME CODE READ FAULTY THERMOSTAT COOLING SENSOR, NEXT IT READ FAULTY AIR MASS SENSOR, ANOTHER TIME IT READ FAULTY EMISSIONS SENSOR. MECHANIC QUOTED PRICE $40 PER HOUR PLUS PARTS TO ISOLATE PROBLEM. A PERSON COULD GO BROKE BEFORE FIXING POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, CONSIDERING NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO ALL THESE POSSIBILITIES. FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, HARD TO ISOLATE. PAID MECHANIC $135 TO REPLACE RIGHT SIDE INNER TIE ROD END. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN RETURNING STEERING WHEEL FROM A RIGHT TURN, FRONT RIGHT SIDE MAKES A SINGLE "POP" SOUND. HAD TO REPLACE "BURNT" HEADLIGHT PIGTAILS ON FRONT, AND PARK LIGHT PIGTAIL ON RIGHT REAR. PROPERTY DAMAGE IS CONSIDERED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE DUE TO THE COMPLAINTS LISTED. *TR
POWER STEERING WENT OUT DURING A TURN. *TR
WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOPLIGHT THE VEHICLE COMPLETLY SHUT OFF INCLUDING THE STEERING. THE CAR SWERVED INTO ANOTHER CAR'S LANE. AFTER I STARTED IT AGAIN, AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO MCCOMB CHEVROLET. THEY SAID IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER, AND RESET THE COMPUTER. THE SECOND TIME I WAS SLOWING TO GO AROUND A C…
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WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOPLIGHT THE VEHICLE COMPLETLY SHUT OFF INCLUDING THE STEERING. THE CAR SWERVED INTO ANOTHER CAR'S LANE. AFTER I STARTED IT AGAIN, AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO MCCOMB CHEVROLET. THEY SAID IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER, AND RESET THE COMPUTER. THE SECOND TIME I WAS SLOWING TO GO AROUND A CURVE AND IT SHUT OFF AGAIN, AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. MY DAUGHTER BUMBED HER HEAD ON THE SIDE DOOR. THIS TIME MCCOMB SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG ,BUT MAYBE IT WAS WATER IN THE FUEL LINE. THE THIRD TIME I WAS SLOWING AGAIN AROUND A CURVE AND IT SHUT OFF, AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE NOT CALLED MCCOMB AS OF YET. THIS WAS VERY ALARMING AND DANGEROUS. I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN.*AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
I'VE TAKEN MY TRAILBLAZER TO THE SHOP TO CHECK OUT THE POWER STEERING UNIT. MY POWER STEERING MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WHEN CUTTING YOUR WHEELS TO PARK ARE IF YOU ARE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I'VE TALK TO SHOP MANAGER AND THEY CHECK IT OUT AND STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY POWER STEERING ,AND AS OF TOD…
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I'VE TAKEN MY TRAILBLAZER TO THE SHOP TO CHECK OUT THE POWER STEERING UNIT. MY POWER STEERING MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WHEN CUTTING YOUR WHEELS TO PARK ARE IF YOU ARE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I'VE TALK TO SHOP MANAGER AND THEY CHECK IT OUT AND STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY POWER STEERING ,AND AS OF TODAY MY POWER STEERING UNIT CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT GRINDING SOUND. *NM
SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A LOUD VIBRATION FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES BUT IS STILL NOT FIXED. RECENTLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE. STILL DOES IT!!! AROUND THE SAME TIME MY TRANSMISSIO…
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SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH A LOUD VIBRATION FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES BUT IS STILL NOT FIXED. RECENTLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE. STILL DOES IT!!! AROUND THE SAME TIME MY TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE. STILL DOES IT!!! NOW I AM FEELING A LOT OF VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I TURN. TALKED TO OTHER TB OWNERS AND I THINKING I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE STRUTS. WHAT NEXT!! *NM
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY LOWERED TO THE RIGHT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE CONSUMER BROKE ONE OF HIS RIGHT RIBS IN THE PROCESS OF THE SEAT COLLAPSING. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION AFTER MAKING THE TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK …
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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY LOWERED TO THE RIGHT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE CONSUMER BROKE ONE OF HIS RIGHT RIBS IN THE PROCESS OF THE SEAT COLLAPSING. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION AFTER MAKING THE TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK *SC
THE VEHICLE WAS 2 MONTHS OLD. IT HAS NOT EVEN HAD SO MUCH AS AN OIL CHANGE OR A FLAT TIRE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TIE ROD BROKE AND FORCED ME INTO A TREE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS INJURED. GM IS SAYING THAT THE TIE ROD BROKE WHEN I HIT THE TREE, HOWEVER THE STATE TROOPER AT THE SCENE DOCU…
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THE VEHICLE WAS 2 MONTHS OLD. IT HAS NOT EVEN HAD SO MUCH AS AN OIL CHANGE OR A FLAT TIRE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TIE ROD BROKE AND FORCED ME INTO A TREE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS INJURED. GM IS SAYING THAT THE TIE ROD BROKE WHEN I HIT THE TREE, HOWEVER THE STATE TROOPER AT THE SCENE DOCUMENTED THAT THE TIE ROD DEFINATELY BROKE BEFORE HAND AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE SCRAPE MARKS IN THE ROADWAY SHOWING THE TIRE DRAGGING ME TO THE TREE. TO DATE GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM. IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *AK
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.