Illustration2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER GAUGE PANEL STOPPED WORKING. OIL TEMP,WATER TEMP,FUEL, AND VOLTS. RPM AND SPEEDOMETER STILL OK BUT HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY ISSUE. COST TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND NOT ACCEPTABLE. *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
What owners actually said
1,081 reportsMY INSTRUMENT PANEL ON MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER IS SLOWLY NOT FUNCTIONING. IT STARTED OFF WITH MY TACHOMETER AND NOW MY GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN NEGLECTED AND IS SERVICED WHEN NEEDED. THE GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING NOW ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAVE YET TO REPLACE THE PART DUE TO COST AND ALSO BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE A…
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MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ON MY 2004 TRAILBLAZER IS SLOWLY NOT FUNCTIONING. IT STARTED OFF WITH MY TACHOMETER AND NOW MY GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN NEGLECTED AND IS SERVICED WHEN NEEDED. THE GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING NOW ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAVE YET TO REPLACE THE PART DUE TO COST AND ALSO BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO REGISTER FAULTY READINGS TO THE FOLLOWING MILEAGE, RPMS, OIL CHECK LIGHT, AND BATTERY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, BUT THE VEHICLE REGISTERED FALSE READINGS. WHILE DR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO REGISTER FAULTY READINGS TO THE FOLLOWING MILEAGE, RPMS, OIL CHECK LIGHT, AND BATTERY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING, BUT THE VEHICLE REGISTERED FALSE READINGS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MILES PER HOUR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THE SPEED WAS 110 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,868.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT INDICATE THE SPEED IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AND THE TACOMETER WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT INDICATE THE SPEED IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AND THE TACOMETER WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY BURN OUT, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHT TO MELT AND EMIT SMOKE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS READING INACCURATELY. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS READING INACCURATELY. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
CRACK IN FUEL TANK 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LS. CRACK IS JUST BELOW WHERE THE FILLER TUBE GOES INTO TANK. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE AND EXPLOSION. A NEW FUEL TANK FROM THE DEALER IS OVER $1000. I HAVE TRIED TO PATCH IT BUT IT IS MADE OF A SP…
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CRACK IN FUEL TANK 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LS. CRACK IS JUST BELOW WHERE THE FILLER TUBE GOES INTO TANK. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE AND EXPLOSION. A NEW FUEL TANK FROM THE DEALER IS OVER $1000. I HAVE TRIED TO PATCH IT BUT IT IS MADE OF A SPECIAL PLASTIC THAT IS HERD TO REPAIR. *TT
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LS 4WD. I HAD NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN EVAPORATIVE LEAK DETECTED ACCORDING TO THE CODES THAT THE COMPUTER WAS GIVING. THE MECHANIC THEN CHECKED THE VEHICLE FUR…
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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LS 4WD. I HAD NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN EVAPORATIVE LEAK DETECTED ACCORDING TO THE CODES THAT THE COMPUTER WAS GIVING. THE MECHANIC THEN CHECKED THE VEHICLE FURTHER AND NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A HAIRLINE FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE FILLER NOZZLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT CHEVY FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL. I DID CONTACT CHEVY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL BUT I COULD TAKE IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. I CAN NOT EVEN PARK THIS VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE FOR RISK OF A FIRE AND THE VEHICLE CAN NOT PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION BECAUSE IT HAS A LEAK. I HAVE RECEIVED A CITATION FOR FAILURE TO INSPECT BECAUSE IT WONT PASS THE INSPECTION PROCESS. IT WILL COST ME APPROX $800 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. *TR
ON JUNE 23, 2011, I CRANKED MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT AND THE GAUGES (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ETC.) BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE AT A RAPID SPEED. THE SUV CUT OFF AND I ATTEMPTED TO CRANK IT AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AS I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE H…
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ON JUNE 23, 2011, I CRANKED MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT AND THE GAUGES (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ETC.) BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE AT A RAPID SPEED. THE SUV CUT OFF AND I ATTEMPTED TO CRANK IT AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AS I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. I SLOWED DOWN, BUT I HAD NO IDEA HOW FAST NOR SLOW I WAS GOING. I PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED THE SUV OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 70 MILES PER HOUR WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED AT 70 MPH AS I MADE MY WAY BACK TO THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE READ SEVERAL, LITERALLY HUNDREDS, OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS ONLINE ABOUT CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE ARE NO RECALLS REGARDING THIS MALFUNCTION. THE FIRST TIME MY GAUGES FLUCTUATED WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED THE SUV. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT AND HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS, SO I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A GLITCH AND THOUGHT NOTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. AFTER READING OTHER CONSUMERS' CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED MOST OF THEM HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SPEEDOMETERS DURING THE SECOND YEAR AFTER THE SUV WAS PURCHASED. IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ONE CANNOT GAUGE HIS OR HER SPEED WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT'S DANGEROUS AT CROSSWALKS, SCHOOLS ZONES, AND EVERY ROAD AND HIGHWAY WE TRAVEL ON. CONSUMERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO THEIR CHEVROLET SERVICE MECHANICS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT MANY ARE TOLD THE PART HAS TO BE REPLACED OR THE ENTIRE CONSOLE HAS TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. I AM PERSUADED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH HAS AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE SPEEDOMETER. HOPEFULLY THIS MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED WITHOUT ANY TRAGIC ENDINGS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILER BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILER BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ UPDATED 08/26/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FRAME WAS CRACKED NEAR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.