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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.

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

What owners actually said

1,081 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2005
Visibility

DT: THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG. IT STARTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS PARALLEL TO IT AND THAT WAS ABOUT AN INCH LONG. NOTICED THIS ON JULY 1, 2005. CONTACTED THE DEALER ON JULY 26, 2005 .THEY TOLD CONSUMER BRING IN IT ON THE 9TH. THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE VEH…

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DT: THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG. IT STARTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS PARALLEL TO IT AND THAT WAS ABOUT AN INCH LONG. NOTICED THIS ON JULY 1, 2005. CONTACTED THE DEALER ON JULY 26, 2005 .THEY TOLD CONSUMER BRING IN IT ON THE 9TH. THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE VEHICLE HIT A ROCK, AND THEY DO NOT COVER IT WINDSHIELDS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TALKING TO A MANGER, HE STATED IT WAS NOT DUE TO A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10131077

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2005
Structure

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS. WHILE SHUTTING THE DOOR OR TOUCHING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER WOULD BE SHOCK SO BADLY THAT SHE SEES COLORS. SHE TRIED TOUCHING THE PLASTIC HANDLE TO THE DOOR BUT IF HER FINGER COMES WITHIN AN INCH OF THE METAL IT WOULD STILL SHOCK HER, EVEN THROUGH CLOTHES. DEALERSHIP WAS G…

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DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS. WHILE SHUTTING THE DOOR OR TOUCHING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER WOULD BE SHOCK SO BADLY THAT SHE SEES COLORS. SHE TRIED TOUCHING THE PLASTIC HANDLE TO THE DOOR BUT IF HER FINGER COMES WITHIN AN INCH OF THE METAL IT WOULD STILL SHOCK HER, EVEN THROUGH CLOTHES. DEALERSHIP WAS GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM SOMETIME THIS WEEK. THEY HAVE TRIED PRODUCTS FOR HUMIDITY AND USED STATIC GUARD BUT NONE OF THIS STUFF SOLVED THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC SAID THEY HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE GETTING SHOCKED. AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOCKING HER THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED, AND SINCE THEY REPLACED COMPUTER IT SHOCKED EVEN HARDER. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10127449

11,500 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHEN SHE WOULD BE AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. SHE WOULD HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE TAKING OFF. ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. ON JULY 25, 2005 DEALER CHECKED AND REPROGRAMMED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE( PCM). ON JULY 29, 2005 DEALER CHECKED AND REPLA…

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DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHEN SHE WOULD BE AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. SHE WOULD HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE TAKING OFF. ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. ON JULY 25, 2005 DEALER CHECKED AND REPROGRAMMED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE( PCM). ON JULY 29, 2005 DEALER CHECKED AND REPLACED THE PCM AGAIN , AND ON AUGUST 1, 2005 DEALER REPLACED A 02 SENSOR. DEALER SAID THEY COULD KEEP AND DRIVE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM . DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE HER A TEMPORARY VEHICLE TO DRIVE WHILE SHE WAITED FOR HER VEHICLE TO BE WORKED ON. DEALER SAID THE 02 SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM. WOULD NOT OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER WILL NOT GIVE HER ENOUGH MONEY FOR IT AS A TRADE IN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10132054

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2005
Exterior Lighting

MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED AT LEAST 8 INSTANCES IN MY AREA WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE TRAILBLAZER DON'T WORK. THE 3RD LIGHT ON TOP OF THE LIFT GATE WORKS, BUT THE REGULAR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN BOTH OF THEM NOT WORKING. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT ISN'T J…

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MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED AT LEAST 8 INSTANCES IN MY AREA WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE TRAILBLAZER DON'T WORK. THE 3RD LIGHT ON TOP OF THE LIFT GATE WORKS, BUT THE REGULAR BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN BOTH OF THEM NOT WORKING. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT ISN'T JUST A BULB BEING BURNT OUT. I HAVE LUCKILY NOT WITNESSED ANY ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM THIS ISSUE, BUT MY FATHER OWNS A TRAILBLAZER AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG ELECTRICALLY CAUSING THIS PROBLEM I DON'T WANT THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN TO HIS RESULTING IN HIM POTENTIALLY BEING REAR ENDED. I SAW ONE ON I94 JUST EAST OF I696 YESTERDAY. I NOTIFIED THE WOMAN AND SHE SAID THAT SHE KNEW SO HOPEFULLY IT IS JUST THE BULBS, BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10131509

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2005
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE BACK OF MY CAR 3 TIMES AND ASKED THE AGENCY TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PART OR CASING AFTER I FOUND A RECALL THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. I INFORMED CHEVROLET OF WHERE I FOUND THE RECALLS , I WAS TOLD THIS WEBSITE IS ONLY OPINIONS FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING AB…

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I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE BACK OF MY CAR 3 TIMES AND ASKED THE AGENCY TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PART OR CASING AFTER I FOUND A RECALL THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. I INFORMED CHEVROLET OF WHERE I FOUND THE RECALLS , I WAS TOLD THIS WEBSITE IS ONLY OPINIONS FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. I WAS TOLD IN THE AGENCY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY ON 2003 MODELS AND NOT 2004'S. THE AGENCY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE WHOLE PART ANYWAYS BUT THE NEXT DAY A POLICE OFFICER ALMOST GAVE ME A TICKET BECAUSE HE SAID I FAILED TO INDICATE I WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ON A ONE LANE ROAD. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE AGENCY TWICE FOR THAT PROBLEM AND OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVEN'T REPLACE THE PART. MY CAR IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD AND IT HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS BEYOND THAT ONE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130564

11,216 miles · Jul 29, 2005
Power Train

2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (V6). VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTS ITSELF INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY ACTION BY THE DRIVER. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTER AND DISMISSED AS DRIVER ERROR. SHIFTING ANY VEHICLE INTO 4 WD LOW REQUIRES A DEFINITIVE ACTION BY THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. AN ACTI…

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2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (V6). VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTS ITSELF INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY ACTION BY THE DRIVER. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTER AND DISMISSED AS DRIVER ERROR. SHIFTING ANY VEHICLE INTO 4 WD LOW REQUIRES A DEFINITIVE ACTION BY THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. AN ACTION THAT THE DRIVER WOULD KNOW THEY PERFORMED. THIS IS THE 3RD SUCH INCIDENT WITH GM VEHICLES MY COMPANY HAS HAD. ALL DISMISSED AS DRIVER ERROR. INVESTIGATIVE ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AT SOME LEVEL. OUR LOCAL DEALERS AND REPAIR CENTERS DON'T SEEM TO BE CONCERNED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130538

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2005
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL LIGHT NOT WORKING PROPERLY AFTER RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN FIXED. THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WAS CORRECTED IN NOVEMBER. IT IS NOW JULY AND I'M HAVING THE SAME SIGNAL PROBLEM AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10129947

14,000 miles · Jul 25, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. IN JANUARY, THE CONSUMER WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE IT LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED IT AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A DEFECTIVE CHIP. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN IN MAY AND THIS…

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DT: 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. IN JANUARY, THE CONSUMER WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE VEHICLE IT LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED IT AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A DEFECTIVE CHIP. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN IN MAY AND THIS PAST JULY 4, THE CONSUMER WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER. THEY CALLED THE TOLL FREE NUMBER AND WERE INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN, IT WAS FOUND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS RESPONDING SLOWLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10129908

27,793 miles · Jul 19, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DT: 2004 CHEVROLET, TRAIL BLAZER. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING IN SPEED WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GMC, THEY …

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DT: 2004 CHEVROLET, TRAIL BLAZER. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING IN SPEED WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GMC, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY TO SAVE FUEL. *AK GM ALSO INFORMED THE CONSUMER TO USE LOWER GEARS WHEN GOING DOWN HILL. THE MILEAGE WOULD STILL INCREASE WHEN IN THIRD GEAR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10125638

1,000 miles · Jun 30, 2005
Structure

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HEAR WIND NOISE EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS UP. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE RUBBER SEALS WERE LOOSE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. SHOWED THE MANUFACTURER THE PROBLEM OF THE SEALS COMING LOOSE AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10127129

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.