IllustrationIN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *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 reportsSERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON AFTER COMPLETING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT A LOCAL DEALER THEY SAID THE MALFUNCTION WAS THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION(AIR PUMP) CODE P0410. THEY SAID THE REASON THESE GO OUT IS BECAUSE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND THE WAY THEY ROUTED THE HOSES INSTEAD OF AIR FLOWING THROUGH IT CAUSES WATER TO ACCUMULATE…
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SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON AFTER COMPLETING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT A LOCAL DEALER THEY SAID THE MALFUNCTION WAS THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION(AIR PUMP) CODE P0410. THEY SAID THE REASON THESE GO OUT IS BECAUSE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND THE WAY THEY ROUTED THE HOSES INSTEAD OF AIR FLOWING THROUGH IT CAUSES WATER TO ACCUMULATE THEREFORE MAKING THE MOTOR IN THE AIR PUMP TO GO BAD. SO WHILE CHANGING OUT THIS BAD AIR PUMP THERE WAS SO MUCH WATER THAT HAD ACCUMULATED IT ACTUALLY CAUSED THE LIGHT TO BLOW WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE MECHANIC TO BE ELECTROCUTED! *TR
I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ODOMETER, GAS AND BATTERY GAUGES FOR ABOUT A YEAR. HOWEVER, NOW THE ODOMETER DROPS AND THE CAR STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHEN I GO TO SLOW DOWN. THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF FOR A SECOND. NO OTHER LIGHTS ARE ON SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS IS. CAR HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES. *TR
MY SUV HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED SHOWING ME THE SPEED THAT I AM GOING. IT JUST SITS ON ZERO AND IT STOPPED SHOWING ME MY GAS, IT SITS ON E,...THIS IS A HUGE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I TRIED TO CONTACT CHEVY BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL...I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER! I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN AC…
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MY SUV HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED SHOWING ME THE SPEED THAT I AM GOING. IT JUST SITS ON ZERO AND IT STOPPED SHOWING ME MY GAS, IT SITS ON E,...THIS IS A HUGE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I TRIED TO CONTACT CHEVY BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL...I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER! I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I LOVED MY VEHICLE AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT.... *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. MY SISTER IN LAW HAS A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. MY RPM DIAL ENT CRAZY A YEAR AGO AND NOW MY SPEEDOMETER IS OUT. I HAVE 82000 MILES ON IT. CHEVY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF $500. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND MANY WEBSITES. THIS IS AND HAS BEEN AN ONGOING…
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I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. MY SISTER IN LAW HAS A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. MY RPM DIAL ENT CRAZY A YEAR AGO AND NOW MY SPEEDOMETER IS OUT. I HAVE 82000 MILES ON IT. CHEVY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF $500. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND MANY WEBSITES. THIS IS AND HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WE NEED A RECALL. THIS IS FOR TRAILBLAZERS WITH THE YEARS OF 2003-2005. I AM NOT GETTING MY PROBLEM FIXED AND I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHER INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS THAT DO NOT WORK ON THE HIGHWAY. GM LOST A LAWSUIT FOR THE EXACT SAME YEAR VEHICLES FROM 2003-2005 FOR THE SUBURBAN, TRUCKS, TAHOES ETC. MY VEHICLE IS ALSO CONSIDERED A TRUCK AND I AM SURE THAT SAME CHEAP PART WAS USED IN MY VEHICLE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM PART THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. PLEASE HELP! *TR
MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER DEVELOPED A LEAKING FUEL TANK AND I KEEP GETTING "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHTS. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS HOWEVER GM HAS NOT CALLED FOR A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. REFERENCE COMPLAINT #05012. *TR
SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER QUIT WORKING THERE IS A SHORT IN THE HEATER LEVEL 4 AND 5 DO NOT WORK AND MY WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEMS. I USE TO BUY DODGE BUT I DECIDED TO SWITCH TO CHEVY I BOUGHT A TRAILBLAZER WITH TWO YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE CLAIMED UNDER THE WARRANTY I CALL GM THEY SAID THERE IS NO…
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SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER QUIT WORKING THERE IS A SHORT IN THE HEATER LEVEL 4 AND 5 DO NOT WORK AND MY WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEMS. I USE TO BUY DODGE BUT I DECIDED TO SWITCH TO CHEVY I BOUGHT A TRAILBLAZER WITH TWO YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE CLAIMED UNDER THE WARRANTY I CALL GM THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT COVERS IT I THINK I AM GOING TO SWITCH BAR CK TO DODGE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
LAST SUMMER, MY VEHICLE STARTED STUMBLING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES, WITHOUT THE ISSUE BEING RESOLVED. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, TUNE-UP, MAP SENSOR, AIR INTAKE SENSOR, FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED, FAN CLUTCH REPLACED, STILL HAD THE STUMBLING PROBLEM. APPROXIMATELY …
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LAST SUMMER, MY VEHICLE STARTED STUMBLING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES, WITHOUT THE ISSUE BEING RESOLVED. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, TUNE-UP, MAP SENSOR, AIR INTAKE SENSOR, FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED, FAN CLUTCH REPLACED, STILL HAD THE STUMBLING PROBLEM. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I HEARD THE ENGINE REV UP VERY HIGH, BUT I WASN'T GOING ANY FASTER. I THEN PRESSED ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE RACED, BUT I WAS JUST COASTING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE MEDIAN, THANK GOD NOBODY WAS BEHIND ME. I ALSO THANK GOD I DIDN'T HAVE MY FAMILY WITH ME. THE MECHANIC SAID, THAT ONE OF THE GEARS INSIDE, THE TRANNY WAS BROKEN, AND THE PUMP HAD SHATTERED. I WOULD HATE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO SOMEONE, AND THEY CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY, SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS INTERMITTENT LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING AND GAUGES ON PANEL ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. NEARLY HAD A WRECK WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MILES PER HOUR. I DID NOT SEE A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN ON LINE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM…
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2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS INTERMITTENT LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING AND GAUGES ON PANEL ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. NEARLY HAD A WRECK WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MILES PER HOUR. I DID NOT SEE A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN ON LINE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. HAS THERE BEEN A SERVICE RECALL I AM UNAWARE OF? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY OR NOT WORKING AT ALL IN SOME CASES. I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 TO 65 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING OVER 100MPH NOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING, THERE HAS BEEN REPORT THAT OTHER TRAILBLAZER WERE DOING THE SAME, THERE SHOULD BE AN RECALL ON THIS. *TR
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.