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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
87,000 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE YET THE SPEEDOMETER, BATTERY INDICATOR, AND TACHOMETER HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THE TACHOMETER REMAINED STUCK AT 1500 RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE YET THE SPEEDOMETER, BATTERY INDICATOR, AND TACHOMETER HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THE TACHOMETER REMAINED STUCK AT 1500 RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/05/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10343505

105,249 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE FUEL LEVEL AND BATTERY GAUGE WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE GROUND WIRE AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE FUEL LEVEL AND BATTERY GAUGE WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE GROUND WIRE AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE THE LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE BECAUSE HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,249.

NHTSA ODI #10343173

104,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS HE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT AND CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR HELP. WHEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS HE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT AND CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR HELP. WHEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CUT THE TIRE AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THE OWNER PURCHASED A NEW TIRE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FROM THE FRAME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 104,000. UPDATED 11/9/10 *CN UPDATED 11/16/10

NHTSA ODI #10342935

75,000 miles · Jul 11, 2010
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS ON DAILY BASIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342483

68,000 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Electrical System

THE SPEED, OIL, AND TACH GAUGES ON A CHEVY TRAILBLAZER 2004 STARTED TO INDICATE INCORRECT READINGS. AFTER SOME TIME THE GAUGES WOULD JUST STOP WORKING. GM WILL REPLACE THEM FOR FEE STARTING AT $300+. NOW YOU CAN GET A USED CLUSTER TO REPLACE THIS BUT YOU WILL HAVE THE WRONG ODOMETER READING WHICH WILL CAUSE A FRAUD. GM WILL NOT …

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THE SPEED, OIL, AND TACH GAUGES ON A CHEVY TRAILBLAZER 2004 STARTED TO INDICATE INCORRECT READINGS. AFTER SOME TIME THE GAUGES WOULD JUST STOP WORKING. GM WILL REPLACE THEM FOR FEE STARTING AT $300+. NOW YOU CAN GET A USED CLUSTER TO REPLACE THIS BUT YOU WILL HAVE THE WRONG ODOMETER READING WHICH WILL CAUSE A FRAUD. GM WILL NOT RESET THE ODOMETER ON A USED CLUSTER! THIS CAUSES SOMEONE TO PAY THE HIGH PRICE OR DRIVE AROUND WITH BROKEN GAUGES. DOING A SEARCH ON THE WEB, I AM SEEING THAT THIS IS NOT JUST THE TRAILBLAZER AND THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. I WOULD THINK NOT KNOWING THE SPEED OR OTHER INSTRUMENT READING COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE THEY ARE THERE FOR A REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342133

94,931 miles · Jun 29, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER LT WITH 94,931 MILES AND AM THE ORIGINAL DRIVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2-3 YEARS AGO AND I HAVE TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO DIAGNOSE WITH NO SUCCESS. IN JUNE 2010 I TOOK INTO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR 100K SERVICE AND WAS TOLD I HAD A CRACKED FUEL TANK FILLER NECK WHICH I HAD…

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I HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER LT WITH 94,931 MILES AND AM THE ORIGINAL DRIVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2-3 YEARS AGO AND I HAVE TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO DIAGNOSE WITH NO SUCCESS. IN JUNE 2010 I TOOK INTO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR 100K SERVICE AND WAS TOLD I HAD A CRACKED FUEL TANK FILLER NECK WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE AT A COST OF ~$1000. THIS FIXED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL. CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THIS FUEL TANK ISSUE AND DENIES THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ANY MODEL EXCEPT 2002-2003 TRAILBLAZER EXT'S AND GMC ENVOY XL MODELS UNDER TSB 05012. IN REVIEWING THE NHTSA WEBSITE IT IS APPARENT THE SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM GOES BEYOND THESE MODELS. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ADVISED THEY WERE AWARE THE TRAILBLAZER MODELS HAD ISSUES WITH THE FUEL TANK BUT REFERRED US TO GENERAL MOTORS AS THERE WAS NO TSB FROM GM FOR THIS MODEL. I SPOKE TO 3 SEPARATE PEOPLE AT GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE WHO ADVISED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND CAME BACK WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS AND DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I QUESTIONED GM ABOUT THE NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF CRACKED OR CORRODED FUEL TANK FILLER NECK ISSUES AND REFERENCED THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THEY ADVISED THE NHTSA WEBSITE, WHERE MANY OF THESE CASES ARE DOCUMENTED, IS NOT A GM RECOGNIZED WEBSITE FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE AND WAS ESSENTIALLY TOLD THEY (GM) IGNORED COMPLAINTS FROM THIS WEBSITE. I WAS ADVISED BY THE GM REP NOTHING ELSE WOULD BE CONSIDERED AND WHEN I ASKED FOR SOMEONE "HIGHER" AT GM TO SPEAK WITH WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T PROVIDE ANYMORE INFORMATION. WHEN ASKED FOR THE CORPORATE ADDRESS AND CEO INFO I WAS TOLD THEY WOULDN'T GIVE THAT INFORMATION OUT BUT I COULD LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET. BOTTOM LINE IS CHEVROLET DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR SAFETY CLAIMS OR VEHICLE ISSUES AND I FEEL COMPELLED TO HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340685

116,000 miles · Jun 29, 2010
Electrical System

YESTERDAY MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTED JUMPING BETWEEN NUMBERS RATHER THAN MOVING SMOOTHLY. TODAY IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, IT STAYED BELOW THE 0 AND WOULDN'T REGISTER THE SPEED AT ALL. I STOPPED AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP ON THE WAY INTO WORK AND WAS TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST OF ABOUT $400. D…

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YESTERDAY MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTED JUMPING BETWEEN NUMBERS RATHER THAN MOVING SMOOTHLY. TODAY IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, IT STAYED BELOW THE 0 AND WOULDN'T REGISTER THE SPEED AT ALL. I STOPPED AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP ON THE WAY INTO WORK AND WAS TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST OF ABOUT $400. DRIVING AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED MOVING SLOWLY (I WAS GOING AROUND 55 MPH BUT THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 15 - 20 MPH.) WHEN I GOT TO WORK I RAN AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A RECALL FOR CHEVY TRUCKS BUT NOT FOR TRAILBLAZERS. ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINT SITES WITH CONSUMERS REPORTING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE (MODEL YEAR AND MILEAGE VARIED.) OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL FROM GM. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD AS MOST CONSUMERS DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIR COST SO THEY AREN'T FIXING THE FAULTY SPEEDOMETERS WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340599

52,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER GOES OFF MOST OF THE TIME YOU CAN TURN OF VEHICLE THEN JUST KEEP CLICKING AND IT WILL GO BACK TO 0 SOMETIMES YOU STAR DRIVING AND IT WILL GO START ACTING UP AGAIN AND SOMETIMES IT STAYS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT IS WORKING PROPERLY OR NOT AND YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW …

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THE SPEEDOMETER GOES OFF MOST OF THE TIME YOU CAN TURN OF VEHICLE THEN JUST KEEP CLICKING AND IT WILL GO BACK TO 0 SOMETIMES YOU STAR DRIVING AND IT WILL GO START ACTING UP AGAIN AND SOMETIMES IT STAYS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT IS WORKING PROPERLY OR NOT AND YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW THE SPEED WHICH YOU ARE TRAVELING. I HAVE REQUEST AT MANY PLACES TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT I MAY SPEND THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM BUT IT WOULD PROBABLY DO THE SAME THING. FROM THERE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM THERE ARE MANY OF THESE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I AM TOLD IF I REPLACE IT THE OTHER THAT I REPLACE IT WITH WOULD PROBABLY DO THE SAME THING. SO I AM JUST WONDERING HOW CAN THIS COMPANY GET AWAY WITH LETTING THIS PROBLEM EXIST. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE ISSUE AND IF I CANT RESOLVE THIS I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TRADE IN FOR ANOTHER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE I HAVE KIDS AND A GRANDCHILD THAT DEPEND ON THIS CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION AND I WANT THEM TO BE SAFE ALL THE TIME NOT JUST SOMETIMES WHEN THE CLUSTER WANTS TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339943

83,534 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. IT STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT WAS RARE. WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY GO OUT. THE PARKING LIGHT AND THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORK. IT HAS BEEN GETTING MORE FREQUENT AND IN THE LAST MONTH IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ON FOR M…

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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. IT STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT WAS RARE. WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY GO OUT. THE PARKING LIGHT AND THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORK. IT HAS BEEN GETTING MORE FREQUENT AND IN THE LAST MONTH IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ON FOR MONTHS. I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE BY A MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A LOOSE GAS CAP. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE AND IT HAS NOT RESOLVED THAT PROBLEM. NOW I WONDER IF IT REMAINS ON BECAUSE OF THE LIGHT ISSUE. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I LIVE IN AN UNINCORPORATED AREA THAT HAS MINIMAL LIGHTING AT NIGHT. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339927

60,000 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SUDDENLY THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE READING WOULD FLUCTUATE INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING; AND DISAB…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SUDDENLY THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE READING WOULD FLUCTUATE INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING; AND DISABLING THE BATTERY CABLE. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10339825

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.