NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,081 reports92,000 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONNECTION SHORTS OUT AND BURNS, AND HEATER AND A/C CONTROLS DON'T WORK ANYMORE WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN ON HEAT OR A/C KILLS ENGINE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE LIFTGATE MODULE, THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES STARTING IT. THIS ALL STARTED AT ABOUT 92,000 MILES. ESTIMATE…
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LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONNECTION SHORTS OUT AND BURNS, AND HEATER AND A/C CONTROLS DON'T WORK ANYMORE WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN ON HEAT OR A/C KILLS ENGINE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE LIFTGATE MODULE, THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES STARTING IT. THIS ALL STARTED AT ABOUT 92,000 MILES. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR HEAT AND A/C AROUND $600.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288961
68,000 miles · Oct 18, 2009
Electrical System
I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT V6, AND MY GAUGES FLUCTUATE SO MUCH THAT I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING, IF I REALLY NEED GAS, IF MY ENGINE IS RUNNING HOT OR NOT...I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I STARTED TO RENT CARS WHEN I NEEDED TO TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN, BECAUSE I WAS CONCERN ABOUT MAKING IT TO MY DESTINATION AS WEL…
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I PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT V6, AND MY GAUGES FLUCTUATE SO MUCH THAT I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING, IF I REALLY NEED GAS, IF MY ENGINE IS RUNNING HOT OR NOT...I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I STARTED TO RENT CARS WHEN I NEEDED TO TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN, BECAUSE I WAS CONCERN ABOUT MAKING IT TO MY DESTINATION AS WELL AS COMING BACK HOME SAFELY. I HAVE BEEN SO UPSET AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. I START LOOKING FOR A COMPANY/GROUP TO HEAR MY CRY...AS I SURFED THE INTERNET, I FOUND SEVERAL INTERESTING STORIES SIMILAR TO MY COMPLAINT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT ANYMORE, BECAUSE AS A CONSUMER, I DESERVE TO HAVE A PROBLEM FIXED/SOLVED IF I PURCHASE A PRODUCT OR SERVICE FROM AN ORGANIZATION. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT NO ONE GETS HURT OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES. I WOULD LOVE TO GET MY VEHICLE FIX WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY $500-800, BECAUSE FRANKLY I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO SPEND. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288897
41,539 miles · Oct 15, 2009
Electrical System
MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. SHE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE THE OTHER DAY WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE STILL HAD USE OF THE GAS PEDAL AND STEERING BUT ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, GOING SLOWLY AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. AFTER …
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MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. SHE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE THE OTHER DAY WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE STILL HAD USE OF THE GAS PEDAL AND STEERING BUT ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, GOING SLOWLY AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. SINCE MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR HER TO DRIVE BACK TO SCHOOL, WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I MIGHT ADD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE IN 2007 (?) THAT INVOLVED "CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY." THIS RECALL ITEM WAS REPLACED BY CHEVROLET WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE BUT THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT PROBABLY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INCIDENT ON 10-9. SO, AFTER "EXTENSIVE ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTICS" AND A FEW TEST DRIVES, CHEVY TECHNICIANS SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING FURTHER WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO. I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THE OCTOBER 9, 2009 INCIDENT, BUT AT THE TIME, IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A GLITCH. IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERNET READING ABOUT MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS (AMONG OTHER TROUBLING FLAWS WITH THIS CAR) WITH THE 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLES WERE GOING AT HIGH SPEED WHEN THEY SHUT DOWN. HERE ARE THE LINKS: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2004/CHEVROLET/TRAILBLAZER HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/TRAILBLAZER/2004/ELECTRICAL/GAUGES_FLUCTUATE.SHTML I AM TERRIFIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT THE OUTCOME WILL NOT BE GOOD. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288571
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2009
Exterior Lighting
WHILE GOING HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY, SOMEONE PULLED UP AND TOLD ME THAT MY REAR LIGHTS WERE OUT. UPON MY HUSBAND INSPECTING THE LIGHTS, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CONNECTION TO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS IS OUT. THERE WAS A RECALL DONE IN 2004 BUT GM WILL NOT HONOR IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287349
75,000 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL TANK ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IS LEAKING FUEL DUE TO CORROSION. I HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP RECOGNIZES A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT SAYS IT DOESN'T PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE SINCE IT HASN'T BEEN REGISTERED IN CERTAIN STATES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287213
139,211 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN HER VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A FATIGUE CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,211. UPDATED 12/09/09 *BF UPDA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN HER VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A FATIGUE CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,211. UPDATED 12/09/09 *BF UPDATED 12/10/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10286672
59,500 miles · Oct 6, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL LINE. GASOLINE IS LEAKING OUT OF TANK CONSTANTLY ALL OVER THE GARAGE AND ANYWHERE THE CAR IS DRIVEN. HUGE FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD. SAME PROBLEM AS SPECIAL CODE 07099 AND TSB #05012 WHERE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED ON EXT MODELS ONLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286519
35,185 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Electrical System
10/04/09, INSTRUMENT PANEL OF 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. SPEEDOMETER AND ALL GAUGES ARE INACCURATE, CYCLE ON AND OFF, WARNING LIGHTS CYCLE RANDOMLY ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ACCURATE VEHICLE SPEED. CONTACTED GM DEALERSHIP AND GM SAFETY/DEFECT REPORTING ON 10/05/09 - FILED A COMPLAINT. RESEARCH…
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10/04/09, INSTRUMENT PANEL OF 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. SPEEDOMETER AND ALL GAUGES ARE INACCURATE, CYCLE ON AND OFF, WARNING LIGHTS CYCLE RANDOMLY ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ACCURATE VEHICLE SPEED. CONTACTED GM DEALERSHIP AND GM SAFETY/DEFECT REPORTING ON 10/05/09 - FILED A COMPLAINT. RESEARCHED THAT SIMILAR GM TRUCKS/SUVS HAVE HAD SIMILAR DEFECTS AND SPECIAL COVERAGES OR RECALLS BUT NOT THE TRAILBLAZER. OTHER COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA HAVE ALSO BEEN FILED. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286380
40,000 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER IS INOPERABLE. TACHOMETER WORKS OCCASSIONALLY. OIL GAUGE IS NOW STARTING TO FAIL. THERE ARE ONLY 41,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER, IT IS UNSAFE. SPEEDOMETER WAS THE FIRST GAUGE TO GO, THEN THE TACHOMETER BEGAN TO FAULTER AND THE OIL GAUGE FOLLO…
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SPEEDOMETER IS INOPERABLE. TACHOMETER WORKS OCCASSIONALLY. OIL GAUGE IS NOW STARTING TO FAIL. THERE ARE ONLY 41,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER, IT IS UNSAFE. SPEEDOMETER WAS THE FIRST GAUGE TO GO, THEN THE TACHOMETER BEGAN TO FAULTER AND THE OIL GAUGE FOLLOWED. TACH SOMETIMES RESETS ITSELF TO ZERO AND MAY WORK FOR A WEEK BEFORE IT BEGINS TO FAIL AGAIN. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT LEADING UP TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. IT JUST BEGAN ONE GAUGE AT A TIME. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY TWO SEPERATE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD THAT INSTRUMENT FAILURE IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE IS VERY COMMON ALTHOUGH NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR $500.00 - $1000.00. ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286374
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2009
Electrical System
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ALL THE DASHBOARD GAUGES AND DIGITAL DISPLAYS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. TO NAME A FEW THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND SHIFTING GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286183
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.
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