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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

38 reports
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56,000 miles · Dec 3, 2009
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER DOWN A HILL. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE HAS A REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER DOWN A HILL. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE HAS A REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED INCIDENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 01/08/10 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. UPDATED 01/12/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10294417

130,000 miles · May 6, 2009
Electrical SystemInterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT, CLEAR DAY. TOOK FREEWAY OFFRAMP, WHEN I REACHED 40MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WENT PAST STOP SIGN INTO OTHER HIGHWAY MISSING OTHER VEHICLE PASSING IN FRONT OF OFFRAMP. HAPPENED TWICE AT SAME SPEED, BRAKES LOCK UP, AND I PASS THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM WHEEL WELL AREA, BRAKES…

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DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT, CLEAR DAY. TOOK FREEWAY OFFRAMP, WHEN I REACHED 40MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WENT PAST STOP SIGN INTO OTHER HIGHWAY MISSING OTHER VEHICLE PASSING IN FRONT OF OFFRAMP. HAPPENED TWICE AT SAME SPEED, BRAKES LOCK UP, AND I PASS THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM WHEEL WELL AREA, BRAKES RECENTLY CHANGED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, NOISE OCCURS AT 25-30 MPH, SOUNDS LIKE DRAGGING SOMETHING UNDERNEATH. SERVICE MAN CHECKED, NOTHING VISIBLE. HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM ON VEHICLE THEN BRIGHTEN CONSTANTLY. DOOR AJAR LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON, BACK HATCH WINDOW CONSTANTLY OPENING ON OWN DRIVING DOWN ROAD. INSTRUMENT PANEL KNOBS, PANEL ITSELF AND WINDOW AND DOOR BUTTONS ON DOORS EXTREMELY HOT TO TOUCH. VARIOUS LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL QUIT WORKING AND THEN RESUME ON THEIR OWN. REPORTED TACH/ODOMETER NOT WORKING ALREADY. BOTH UNITS REGISTERING OFFLINE WHILE DRIVING. WHERE ARE THE FIXES TO THESE PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267821

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

ON 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GO FROM ZERO TO 60 WITH OUT MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262671

58,444 miles · Nov 27, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER READS ZERO. ALL OTHER GAUGES WORK FINE. HAD DEALER FIX IT FOR 466.00 GM HAS BULLETIN OUT FOR THE PICKUPS AND SUVS BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE THAT USE THE SAME COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250017

300 miles · Aug 31, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, ENGINE STUTTERS AFTER CRESTING A HILL, MORE OR LESS COASTING DOWN THE OTHER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240366

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GET STUCK AND THEN IT WILL NOT GO BACK TO 0 WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL ALSO AT TIMES SHOW THAT I AM GOING 120MPH+ AND I AM BARELY MOVING OR STOPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET BACK TO 0 MPH (IF IT WORKS) IS TO TURN THE TRAILBLAZER ON AND OFF UNTIL IT GOES BACK TO 0. VEHICLE HAS 50,000 …

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WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GET STUCK AND THEN IT WILL NOT GO BACK TO 0 WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL ALSO AT TIMES SHOW THAT I AM GOING 120MPH+ AND I AM BARELY MOVING OR STOPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET BACK TO 0 MPH (IF IT WORKS) IS TO TURN THE TRAILBLAZER ON AND OFF UNTIL IT GOES BACK TO 0. VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILE'S. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THIS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212366

44,000 miles · May 2, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

2004 TRAILBLAZER. 45,000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGE GOES UP AND DOWN, STICKING OR NOT MOVING AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189510

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. IT SHOWED ZERO WHEN I AM GOING AT LEAST 40 MPH, THEN MOVES A LITTLE, AND NOW IS SHOWING LIKE 110 MPH WHEN I AM GOING AROUND 50 MPH. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE AROUND 56,000 MILES ON IT. IS GM PLANNING ON A RECALL, THISWASA EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I SHOU…

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2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. IT SHOWED ZERO WHEN I AM GOING AT LEAST 40 MPH, THEN MOVES A LITTLE, AND NOW IS SHOWING LIKE 110 MPH WHEN I AM GOING AROUND 50 MPH. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE AROUND 56,000 MILES ON IT. IS GM PLANNING ON A RECALL, THISWASA EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10186099

41,466 miles · Jan 31, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 5 TO 50 MPH, FULL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. DRIVING INTO A CURB WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. RESULTING IN TIRE AND WHEEL DAMAGE. NO PERSONAL INJURY WAS CAUSED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181219

67,000 miles · Dec 12, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF FROM 25 TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER.*AK UPDATED 01/19/07.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10175949

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.