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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
192,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOW AND LOCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V248000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTU…

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TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOW AND LOCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V248000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000. UPDATED 12/09/14*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10617745

109,167 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON COME ON. WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY GAS CAP. THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND REPLACED MY GAS CAP. SAME THING HAPPENED ON AND OFF OVER THE LAST 9 MONTHS. ON JULY 18TH IT HAPPENED AGAIN . TOOK IT TO DIFFERENT SHOP AND THEY PERFORMED A SMOKE TEST AND FOU…

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WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON COME ON. WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY GAS CAP. THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND REPLACED MY GAS CAP. SAME THING HAPPENED ON AND OFF OVER THE LAST 9 MONTHS. ON JULY 18TH IT HAPPENED AGAIN . TOOK IT TO DIFFERENT SHOP AND THEY PERFORMED A SMOKE TEST AND FOUND A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK WHERE THE FILLER TUBE IS, SO WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL IT LEAKS OR WHEN YOU CORNER. NOT A LOT BUT I WOULD ASSUME THAT ANY WOULD BE BAD CONSIDERING THE EXHAUST PIPE IS RIGHT THERE. LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND NHTSA ALREADY HAD AN ITEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE ITS NUMBER IS PE07014. I CONTACTED CHEVY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE ACTION BUT IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS NOTED ON THE NHTSA ACTION NOTICE AND RESEARCH I PERFORMED ON THE WEB. DID THEY TELL YOU THAT THEY WERE ONLY GOING TO COVER CERTAIN VIN. I COULD NOT FIND THIS ANYWHERE ON YOUR SITE. BUT COULD HAVE MISSED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615180

42,950 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

I CAN START MY VEHICLE AND THE GAUGES STARTED STICKING. I AM CONSTANTLY BEING SHOCKED BY THE DRIVER DOOR. MY GAUGES NO LONGER WORK AT ALL AND HAVE COMPLETELY WENT HAYWIRE. I HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS. MY VEHICLE HAS JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE, HOW FAST I AM GOING. MY CRUISE CONTROL EIT…

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I CAN START MY VEHICLE AND THE GAUGES STARTED STICKING. I AM CONSTANTLY BEING SHOCKED BY THE DRIVER DOOR. MY GAUGES NO LONGER WORK AT ALL AND HAVE COMPLETELY WENT HAYWIRE. I HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS. MY VEHICLE HAS JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE, HOW FAST I AM GOING. MY CRUISE CONTROL EITHER AT TIMES INCREASES MY SPEED OR DOES NOT HOLD THE SPEED. I HAVE TO USE A GPS DEVICE TO KNOW APPROXIMATE SPEED. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I LOVE MY VEHICLE BUT IT HAS TONS OF ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611363

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE AT A DEALERSHIP IN 2010. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE BUT IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS ALL MY GAUGES STOPPED WORKING EXCEPT MY SPEEDOMETER. IN 2012 I WAS DRIVING AND AT TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHIN A DAY APART, WHILE I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT OR GAS …

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I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE AT A DEALERSHIP IN 2010. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE BUT IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS ALL MY GAUGES STOPPED WORKING EXCEPT MY SPEEDOMETER. IN 2012 I WAS DRIVING AND AT TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHIN A DAY APART, WHILE I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT OR GAS STATION, MY VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE FREE TESTS DONE AND NOTHING WAS SHOWING UP AS ABNORMAL. AROUND 2013 MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A REAL HIGH PITCH SQUEALING SOUND DURING START UP AND WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK MY CAR INTO SINCE IT NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP AND THEY SAID THAT THE HIGH PITCH SOUND COULD BE FIXED BUT WASN'T A SAFETY CONCERN. IN 2014 JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, AGAIN I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AND MY VEHICLE TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON AND HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PULL INTO A SPOT BEFORE IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T START MY KEYS WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND IT COULD NOT BE JUMP STARTED. AFTER TAPING THE BATTERY THE KEYS CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT STARTS NOW BUT NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL INSIDE THE VEHICLE WORKS. AT THIS POINT IT'S NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE AND THE FACT THAT I CAN'T ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS AND THE AIR BLOWS ONLY HOT. THE STEREO DOESN'T WORK, THE SEATS TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK DO NOT WORK. THE BACK BRAKE LIGHTS WORK BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING DO NOT WORK. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611262

128,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

TRUCK CUT OFF WHILE IN PARK. SMELT BURNING SMELL, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOMEONE RAISED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE COMPUTER ELECTRICAL BOX WAS BURNING. THE COVER WAS MELTED THROUGH FROM THE BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND THEN STARTED BACK UP ON IT'S OWN. SECURITY LIGHTS IN DASH CAME ON. VEHICLE COULD …

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TRUCK CUT OFF WHILE IN PARK. SMELT BURNING SMELL, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SOMEONE RAISED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE COMPUTER ELECTRICAL BOX WAS BURNING. THE COVER WAS MELTED THROUGH FROM THE BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND THEN STARTED BACK UP ON IT'S OWN. SECURITY LIGHTS IN DASH CAME ON. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. I READ ON GOOGLE WEBSITE THAT SOME VEHICLES HAD RECALLS FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. A CHEVROLET PLACE IN LYNCHBURG VA TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THAT IS NOT WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET. ME AND MY DAUGHTER AND 3 OTHERS COULD HAVE DIED IF THIS VEHICLE HAD OF EXPLODED. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE SOME HELP IN THIS MATTER. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610253

20,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED GOING BAD IN 2006 AND EVERY YEAR ANOTHER GAUGE IS FAULTY - FIRST IT WAS THE GAS GAUGE, NEXT THE OIL, ETC AND 4 YEARS AGO THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED STICKING. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED $800 TO FIX IT. I HAVE RESEARCHED AT THE TIME AND THIS IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN R…

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED GOING BAD IN 2006 AND EVERY YEAR ANOTHER GAUGE IS FAULTY - FIRST IT WAS THE GAS GAUGE, NEXT THE OIL, ETC AND 4 YEARS AGO THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED STICKING. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED $800 TO FIX IT. I HAVE RESEARCHED AT THE TIME AND THIS IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT FOR YEARS AND EVEN CALLED GM - NO HELP AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR THIS. I WOULD APPRECIATE HELP WITH THIS AND FEEL THAT GM HAS KNOWN THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. I DRIVE A LOT OF KIDS IN MY CAR AND I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY THIS IS REALLY GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608486

140,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE HIGHWAY AND DOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I HIT TRAFFIC AND CHECKED MY CHECK MY GAS GAUGE AND NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 120 AT FULL STOP. I TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE TRUCK AND THE SPEEDOMETER STILL PINNED AT 120. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY NEED TO ADDRESS IT. I CALLED CHEVY AND …

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I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE HIGHWAY AND DOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I HIT TRAFFIC AND CHECKED MY CHECK MY GAS GAUGE AND NOTICED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 120 AT FULL STOP. I TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE TRUCK AND THE SPEEDOMETER STILL PINNED AT 120. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY NEED TO ADDRESS IT. I CALLED CHEVY AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, BUT CHARGE ME 900 FOR A NEW DASH CLUSTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607399

108,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING THIS SUV, THE ENGINE HAS JUST SHUT OFF. IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. HOWEVER IT IS SCARY AND WE HAVE TRIED TO FIGURE THIS OUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. THE WORST TIME WAS WHEN I WAS GETTING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AND THE CAR CUT OFF. I DON'T KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE. I…

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MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING THIS SUV, THE ENGINE HAS JUST SHUT OFF. IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. HOWEVER IT IS SCARY AND WE HAVE TRIED TO FIGURE THIS OUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. THE WORST TIME WAS WHEN I WAS GETTING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AND THE CAR CUT OFF. I DON'T KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THIS PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE. I CAN NOT GET ANY INFORMATION FROM CARMAX IN REGARD TO THIS. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND DUE TO THIS, I RARELY TAKE IT OUT ON THE ROAD ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607282

40,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Electrical System

BEGINNING WITH THE TACHOMETER IN 2011, THE REMAINING GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAVE PROCEEDED TO STOP WORKING OVER THE NEXT TWO PLUS YEARS TO THE POINT THAT NONE OF THEM WORK ANYMORE (INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER). WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST WE ARE DRIVING NOR DO WE KNOW THE STATUS OF OUR FUEL LEVEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606882

100,000 miles · Jun 29, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityExterior Lighting

THE DASH CONTROL PANEL HAS STOPPED WORKING OR ONLY CERTAIN ITEMS SHOWING SPEED, TEMP AND OIL PRESSURE WORK ON OCCASION. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR REPAIR OPTIONS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606835

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.