← New search

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
55,000 miles · Jul 23, 2009
Electrical System

MY SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DO NOT WORK ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. OCCASIONALLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL STAY ON AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278055

54,000 miles · Jul 22, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON OUR CHEVY 2004 TRAILBLAZER LS CAME ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE IS A SMALL CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. I DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TOWN TO A MECHANIC WE HIGHLY TRUST EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WERE ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A SPECIAL…

Read full complaint

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON OUR CHEVY 2004 TRAILBLAZER LS CAME ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC WHO SAID THERE IS A SMALL CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. I DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TOWN TO A MECHANIC WE HIGHLY TRUST EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WERE ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A SPECIAL WARRANTY IN PLACE FOR EMISSIONS PROBLEMS. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY CONFIRMED THERE IS A FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE FRACTURE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #07099A. AT THE END OF THE DAY I WAS TOLD MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE COULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE OF THE BREAK IN THE VIN NUMBER. I THEN CONTACTED GM PERSONALLY AND TALKED TO A SPECIALIST WHO SAID SHE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT. SHE GOT BACK TO ME AND BASICALLY SAID THERE IS NOTHING GM CAN DO BECAUSE THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS THE EXT MODEL, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT AND A SAFETY HAZARD! I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WOULD BE USED FOR FUTURE EVIDENCE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING IN OUR PARTICULAR MODEL "TRAILBLAZER LS". SO WE ARE LEFT WITH A CRACKED FUEL TANK THAT GM REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277922

52,000 miles · Jul 20, 2009
Electrical System

ALL DASH COMPONENTS INTERMITTENT FOR A FEW DAYS, NOW ALL GAUGES INOPERATIVE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE SPEED, ENGINE CONDITION, GAS LEVEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277481

81,060 miles · Jul 20, 2009
Electrical System

WENT ON VACATION AND ON THE WAY BACK MY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND THE GAS GAUGE GET HOME DO SOME SEARCHING ON THE TRAILVOY WEB SITE COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE HAVING NOTHING LIKE A 4 HOUR TRIP HOME TAKING 7 HOURS CAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE CALL THE …

Read full complaint

WENT ON VACATION AND ON THE WAY BACK MY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND THE GAS GAUGE GET HOME DO SOME SEARCHING ON THE TRAILVOY WEB SITE COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE HAVING NOTHING LIKE A 4 HOUR TRIP HOME TAKING 7 HOURS CAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE CALL THE DEALER THEY TELL ME IT WILL COST 500+ TECH TIME TO REPLACE I WAS LIKE WHAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM USE SHOULD RECALL THIS AND THE SERVICES WRITER AGREED ABOUT THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277467

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2009
Electrical System

PURCHASED MY TRAILBLAZER BRAND NEW IN 2004 AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MAY OF 2007 THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING THE BATTERY AND OIL GAUGES ARE NOT READING AND THE RPM GAUGES WORKS AT RANDOM. I TAKEN THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IR WOULD BE $400 TO REPAIR AND IT NOT COVERED U…

Read full complaint

PURCHASED MY TRAILBLAZER BRAND NEW IN 2004 AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MAY OF 2007 THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED WORKING THE BATTERY AND OIL GAUGES ARE NOT READING AND THE RPM GAUGES WORKS AT RANDOM. I TAKEN THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IR WOULD BE $400 TO REPAIR AND IT NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY WORK. I'M ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT WORKING AT RANDOM. THEY WILL WORK BUT CUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT. I FEEL BOTH ISSUES NEED TO HAVE A MASS RECALL ON ALL 2002-2007 TRAILBLAZERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277204

91,000 miles · Jul 9, 2009
Power Train

FLUID LEAK FROM TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES DUE TO CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276191

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS THAT SEEMS TO HAVE A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CABIN AND ALSO DRIPS GAS UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK. I HEARD THAT THERE WAS RECALL DUE TO FUEL ODORS IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND DROPS OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND FROM THE FUEL TANK INLET VALVE. I CAN'T FILL MY TANK UP BECAUSE OF LOSS OF FUEL …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS THAT SEEMS TO HAVE A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CABIN AND ALSO DRIPS GAS UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK. I HEARD THAT THERE WAS RECALL DUE TO FUEL ODORS IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND DROPS OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND FROM THE FUEL TANK INLET VALVE. I CAN'T FILL MY TANK UP BECAUSE OF LOSS OF FUEL AND ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE. ALSO, I HAVE THE CONSTANT FEAR OF MY VEHICLE EXPLODING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. PLEASE HELP OR GIVE ADVISE AT WHAT I SHOULD DO!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276157

82,000 miles · Jul 7, 2009
Power Train

STEEL TRANSMISSION LINE RUSTED A HOLE AND LEAKED OUT TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND EXHAUST PIPE. REPLACED LINE, OLD LINE KEPT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276015

15,000 miles · Jul 6, 2009
Electrical System

SINCE 2007 MY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER OF MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004 FROM DEALERSHIP) GOES ON AND OFF SOME DAYS IT WORKS AND SOME DAYS IT DOES NOT. I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND GAUGES GO OUT. I AM UNSURE AT TIMES HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR AND JU…

Read full complaint

SINCE 2007 MY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER OF MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004 FROM DEALERSHIP) GOES ON AND OFF SOME DAYS IT WORKS AND SOME DAYS IT DOES NOT. I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND GAUGES GO OUT. I AM UNSURE AT TIMES HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR AND JUST HAVE TO ESTIMATE AND FILL THE TANK. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP HELP ME OUT BECAUSE I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY WERE BOUGHT OUT BY ANOTHER DEALER. I WROTE TO CHEVROLET AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME OUT. I AM UNABLE TO PAY THE $700 TO $800 THEY HAVE QUOTED ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM SO IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY CHEVROLET. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ALL OF THE LIGHTS GO OUT SOMETIMES AT NIGHT SO I HAVE REFRAINED FROM DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275917

62,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Electrical System

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUES. THE TACHOMETER IS INCONSISTENT AND WILL READ 1000 RPM WHEN YOU KNOW THE ENGINE IS AT LEAST 3000. ALSO, SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER GAUGES. SOMETIMES THEY WORK FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN DON'T. ALSO, CONSTANTLY NEEDS JUMPED. JUST GOT A NEW BATTERY TWO WEEKS AGO…

Read full complaint

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUES. THE TACHOMETER IS INCONSISTENT AND WILL READ 1000 RPM WHEN YOU KNOW THE ENGINE IS AT LEAST 3000. ALSO, SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER GAUGES. SOMETIMES THEY WORK FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN DON'T. ALSO, CONSTANTLY NEEDS JUMPED. JUST GOT A NEW BATTERY TWO WEEKS AGO, AND ALREADY WON'T TURN OVER. GOOD CONNECTIONS AND CLEAN TERMINALS, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DRAINED THE BATTERY. THIS HAS BEEN NON-STOP! NONE OF THIS COVERED BY DEALERSHIP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275671

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.