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 reports
75,000 miles · Jul 21, 2016
Electrical SystemVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10887539
128,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Electrical System
3RD TIME REPLACING LOW BEAM LIGHT ONLY HIGH BEAM WORKS NOW LOW BEAM OUT AGAIN
NHTSA ODI #10885560
80,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS FILED REPORTS. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS FILED REPORTS. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER BEHIND HIM NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE FIRE WAS COMING FRONT UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO SIGNAL OR INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. UPDATED 6/12/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10875611
46,500 miles · Jun 16, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT AT THE DEALER FOR FOUR WEEKS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT AT THE DEALER FOR FOUR WEEKS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,500. ...UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF .....UPDATED 08/11/16 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10874588
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2016
Fuel System, Gasoline
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP SPECIALIST DISMISSIVE AND PREMATURE FILE CLOSURE OF DEFECTIVE VEHICLE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE FRACTURE PROBLEM WITH NO CURRENT REPAIR SOLUTIONS. *SMD
NHTSA ODI #10873041
197,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Electrical SystemStructureFire
ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN DRIVER DOOR WHILE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA ODI #10872965
103,000 miles · May 22, 2016
Exterior Lighting
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET. HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHTS STILL WORK. TURN MOTOR OFF AND LET VEHICLE SET FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WILL WORK AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10870220
130,000 miles · May 6, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND KNEE INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SHOULDER, NECK, KNEE, AND ANKLE INJURIES. BOTH INJURIES REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10863593
153,000 miles · Apr 29, 2016
Exterior Lighting
AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD BLINK. THEN ANOTHER TIME THEY KEEP CUTTING ON AND OFF. SO THE OTHER DAY AS I WAS DRIVING THEY CUT OFF AND WOULD NEVER CUT BACK ON EVEN WHEN I WOULD TURN THE KNOB FOR THEM TO CUT BACK ON. I WOULD HAVE TO CUT ON MY BRIGHT LIGHTS IN ORDER TO SEE.
NHTSA ODI #10862151
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
THE SPEEDOMETER AND ALL OTHER GAUGES EXCEPT THE GAS GAUGE HAVE STOPPED WORKING.
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.
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.
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.
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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