NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,081 reports39,000 miles · Nov 1, 2011
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE: OWNER STATES THAT INSTRUMENT/GAUGE PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL AT OR ABOUT 39,000 MILES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 38' F DEGREES, THAT SAME YEAR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS SPEED GAUGE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION FOLLOWED BY ALL OTHER GAUGES(RPM,GAS,TEMP) AT 50,000 MILES, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. CURR…
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INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE: OWNER STATES THAT INSTRUMENT/GAUGE PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL AT OR ABOUT 39,000 MILES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 38' F DEGREES, THAT SAME YEAR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS SPEED GAUGE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION FOLLOWED BY ALL OTHER GAUGES(RPM,GAS,TEMP) AT 50,000 MILES, REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. CURRENTLY THERE IS A TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL GAUGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433871
42,000 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE EITHER INOPERABLE OR WOULD READ INACCURATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE EITHER INOPERABLE OR WOULD READ INACCURATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10432890
90,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING FAN CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL IT REACHED LEVEL FOUR OF THE FIVE SETTINGS. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10429652
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
100,000 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
SINCE PURCHASING OUR BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS NUMEROUS OF TIMES INCLUDING THE SOCKETS FOR EACH SIDE. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. OR WE CAN SIMPLY TAP IT AND IT WILL GO OUT/COME ON. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE BULB ON THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED TWICE! WE HAVE SPECULA…
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SINCE PURCHASING OUR BLAZER, WE HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS NUMEROUS OF TIMES INCLUDING THE SOCKETS FOR EACH SIDE. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. OR WE CAN SIMPLY TAP IT AND IT WILL GO OUT/COME ON. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE BULB ON THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED TWICE! WE HAVE SPECULATED THAT THE WIRES ARE LOOSE BUT WHEN INSPECTED, THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE CASE. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT THE SHOP (NOT CHEVY THEY COST TOO MUCH) AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING MORE THAN A BURNT BULB. WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD THAT WAS NOT WELL LIT AT ABOUT 10P WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER PULLING OVER & DECIDING THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT HOME WAS TO DRIVE WITH MY FLASHERS ON, I CONTINUED MY WAY HOME. HALF WAY HOME THEY CAME BACK ON BUT BEFORE I GOT HOME THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? AGAIN, I WOULD SAY IT'S A LOOSE WIRE, BUT WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THAT ON BOTH SIDES? NOW,TONIGHT, WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING (11P) WITH 2 FRIENDS WITH HIM, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT; BUT CAME BACK ON. MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FLICKER, LIKE THEY ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER/TOO MUCH. I HAVE CALLED A LOCAL DEALER & AM TOLD THEY CAN RUN A TEST TO SEE WHAT THEY FIND. THAT WOULD BE GREAT, IF I HAD THE CASH FLOW FOR IT; AS IT'S NOT CHEAP JUST FOR THEM TO "RUN" THE TEST NOT FIX IT...THAT WILL COST EXTRA. I AM NOT SURE HOW CHEVY FEELS THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS? IF YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MY ISSUE IS PLEASE TELL ME SO THAT I CAN HAVE SOME ONE I CAN AFFORD TO PAY, FIX IT. BUYING BULBS IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES IF THAT WAS THE ONLY ISSUE. BUT FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT'S AN ISSUE! I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU, CHEVY, REALIZE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE & REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429210
29,279 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE GAUGES WERE FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE GAUGES WERE FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,279.
NHTSA ODI #10428927
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
60,000 miles · Sep 28, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GASOLINE WAS IN THE VEHICLE OR HOW FAST AND SLOW IT WAS TRAVELING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER PANEL AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GASOLINE WAS IN THE VEHICLE OR HOW FAST AND SLOW IT WAS TRAVELING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER PANEL AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10427795
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
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.