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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
118,000 miles · Aug 21, 2010
Electrical System

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, RPM GAUGE) INOP. GAUGES CONSISTENTLY DON'T WORK. SPEEDOMETER CAN BE OFF 10 ,20 OR 70 MPH. TREMENDOUSLY UNSAFE. FROM RESEARCH, GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. ALMOST RUNOVER BY A TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE. THOUGHT I WAS GOING 65 M…

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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, RPM GAUGE) INOP. GAUGES CONSISTENTLY DON'T WORK. SPEEDOMETER CAN BE OFF 10 ,20 OR 70 MPH. TREMENDOUSLY UNSAFE. FROM RESEARCH, GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. ALMOST RUNOVER BY A TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE. THOUGHT I WAS GOING 65 MPH ON A DARK, DESERTED STRETCH OF HIGHWAY. WAS ACTUALLY GOING 35 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351063

113,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Electrical System

ON 8/18/2010 AFTER VISITING MY GRAND DAD AT HOSPITAL, PULLED OUT OF PACKING GARAGE AND NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED WORKING IMPROPERLY. I WAS GOING MAYBE 30MPH IT READ 115MPH. I CURRENTLY HAVE 110,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350225

90,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE BATTERY METER, ODOMETER, AND SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER REGARDING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE BATTERY METER, ODOMETER, AND SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER REGARDING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RELATED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE DEALER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER A WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10349082

70,000 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND IT SAID I WAS GOING 80 MILES AN HOUR AND I NOTICED ALL THE OTHER CARS WERE PASSING ME! I THEN NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER CONTINUING TO RISE UNTIL IT WENT TO 120 MPH! I KNEW I WASN'T GOING THAT FAST. SOMETIMES IT WORKS IF I SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND ON UNTIL IT GETS TO 0 …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND IT SAID I WAS GOING 80 MILES AN HOUR AND I NOTICED ALL THE OTHER CARS WERE PASSING ME! I THEN NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER CONTINUING TO RISE UNTIL IT WENT TO 120 MPH! I KNEW I WASN'T GOING THAT FAST. SOMETIMES IT WORKS IF I SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND ON UNTIL IT GETS TO 0 MPH BUT THEN IT ONLY WORKS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND GOES CRAZY AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347954

110,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL GAUGES, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE ODOMETER, FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL GAUGES, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE ODOMETER, FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10347625

70,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER WORK INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING PROBLEMS NOT KNOWING HOW FAST OR SLOW WE ARE DRIVING. IT IS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND I CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT WENT ON DEAF EARS. THEY HAVE OTHER SUV/TRUCK RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NOTHING FOR THE TRAILBLAZER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSU…

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THE SPEEDOMETER WORK INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING PROBLEMS NOT KNOWING HOW FAST OR SLOW WE ARE DRIVING. IT IS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND I CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT WENT ON DEAF EARS. THEY HAVE OTHER SUV/TRUCK RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NOTHING FOR THE TRAILBLAZER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON INTERNET SITES AND NO ACTION BY ANY ONE TO RESOLVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347192

85,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND THE DASH CLUSTER IS CONSTANTLY SHOWING INCORRECT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD AROUND 80,000. MILES ON IT. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW 55 AT A STAND STILL, AND THE TACHOMETER DOES WHATEVER IT WANTS, NEITHER DO AS THEY SHOULD. THE PROBLEM IS ALMO…

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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND THE DASH CLUSTER IS CONSTANTLY SHOWING INCORRECT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD AROUND 80,000. MILES ON IT. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW 55 AT A STAND STILL, AND THE TACHOMETER DOES WHATEVER IT WANTS, NEITHER DO AS THEY SHOULD. THE PROBLEM IS ALMOST A CONSTANT, IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY FOR A FEW MILES, THEN GOES SILLY AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345977

54,011 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Electrical System

INSTRUMENTS IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SHOW WRONG LEVELS (EX. TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWING 55 MPH) OIL AND CHARGING LEVELS ARE ALSO WRONG. I THINK THIS PROBLEM IS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. GOVERNMENT HAS RECALL OTHER CHEVY TRUCK MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT…

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INSTRUMENTS IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SHOW WRONG LEVELS (EX. TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWING 55 MPH) OIL AND CHARGING LEVELS ARE ALSO WRONG. I THINK THIS PROBLEM IS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. GOVERNMENT HAS RECALL OTHER CHEVY TRUCK MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE TRAILBLAZER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345235

94,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Electrical System

2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER WITHOUT WARNING LOSE ALL GAUGES AND SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344139

65,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Electrical System

MY ODOMETER ONE DAY STOPPED WORKING AND THEN IT WOULD START WORKING AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED MESSING UP. EVERY TIME IT WOULD DO THAT I WOULD HAVE TO STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF AND START IT UP AGAIN. I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS UNTIL THE SPEEDOMETER WENT BACK TO WORKING. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS…

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MY ODOMETER ONE DAY STOPPED WORKING AND THEN IT WOULD START WORKING AGAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED MESSING UP. EVERY TIME IT WOULD DO THAT I WOULD HAVE TO STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF AND START IT UP AGAIN. I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS UNTIL THE SPEEDOMETER WENT BACK TO WORKING. THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND NOW MY SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK ALONG WITH MY ODOMETER AND THE REST OF MY GAUGES. THE ONLY GAUGE THAT DOES WORK IS MY GAS GAUGE. THIS IS A PROBLEM CHEVY HAS RECALLED ON OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT 2004 TRAILBLAZERS. THEY RECALLED 2004 CHEVY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT TRAILBLAZERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344043

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.