NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,081 reports64,000 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE OIL CAP FOR THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE FAILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE OIL CAP FOR THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. THE CAP WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $5 AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO NEVER PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. ONE YEAR LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT RECEIVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE FROM A DEALER, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED TOWARDS THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA ODI #10265568
73,000 miles · Apr 4, 2009
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER STOPPED WORKING A FEW MONTHS AGO. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVY, TO NO AVAIL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AS REQUESTED BY CHEVY, THE TEST SHOWED THE CLUSTER IS BAD. OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL CONVERSA…
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THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER STOPPED WORKING A FEW MONTHS AGO. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WITH CHEVY, TO NO AVAIL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AS REQUESTED BY CHEVY, THE TEST SHOWED THE CLUSTER IS BAD. OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH CHEVY, I WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE OF AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH THE CLUSTERS, BUT ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A FAULTY CLUSTER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 & 2004 CHEVY MODELS. CHEVY ADMITTED THIS TO ME, AND ARE FIXING "SOME" MODELS, BUT THE TRAILBLAZER IS NOT ONE OF THEM. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND! THERE ARE TWO CLASS ACTION SUITS, THAT I FOUND ON THE INTERNET, CHEVY IS FIXING THE VEHICLES IN THOSE TWO STATES, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ONES OF US WHO DON'T LIVE IN THOSE STATES? I HAVE NOT MADE THE REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE, I BOUGHT A GPS TO KEEP ME WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT. ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER IS APPRECIATED!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264113
47,000 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
WE ARE HAVING THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AS SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH OUR 2004 TRAILBLAZER. THE GAUGES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY...PARTICULARLY THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER, BUT ALSO INCLUDE OUR HEADLIGHTS AND RADIO WHICH BOTH OCCASIONALLY FLASHING OUT FOR A SECOND OR SO. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 47,000 MILES. AND SINCE W…
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WE ARE HAVING THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AS SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH OUR 2004 TRAILBLAZER. THE GAUGES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY...PARTICULARLY THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER, BUT ALSO INCLUDE OUR HEADLIGHTS AND RADIO WHICH BOTH OCCASIONALLY FLASHING OUT FOR A SECOND OR SO. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 47,000 MILES. AND SINCE WE ARE FILING THIS COMPLAINT WE MAY AS WELL MENTION HOW OUR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN AT AROUND 48,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264010
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2009
Electrical System
WAS DRIVING AND HAPPEN TO LOOK DOWN AT HOW FAST I WAS GOING AND IT READ 80 MPH A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS WORKING AGAIN AND THE FOLLOWING WEEK BOTH THE RPM AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS GOING CRAZY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264008
52,198 miles · Mar 29, 2009
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, WITH MILEAGE OF 52,198, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT REGISTERING ACCURATELY AND THEN, WITHIN 30 MINUTES, THE NEEDLE OF THE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER, PERMANENTLY SETTLED TO ZERO; EVEN THOUGH I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRAVELING WITH THE TRAFFIC FLOW OF 60 M.P.H. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263568
70,651 miles · Mar 28, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN FLAW RESULTING IN REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE HOSE REMAINING IN CONTACT WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE BRAKE HOSE IS TOO SHORT AND WAS EITHER DESIGNED, INSTALLED OR NOT ROUTED CORRECTLY. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKES IN AN SUV WILL POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH OR …
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REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN FLAW RESULTING IN REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE HOSE REMAINING IN CONTACT WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE BRAKE HOSE IS TOO SHORT AND WAS EITHER DESIGNED, INSTALLED OR NOT ROUTED CORRECTLY. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKES IN AN SUV WILL POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH OR A ROLL OVER, IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION, WITH LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263317
65,500 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Exterior Lighting
HEADLAMPS NO LONGER WORK (LOW BEAMS). BULBS ARE GOOD AND THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORK FINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263017
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
ON 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GO FROM ZERO TO 60 WITH OUT MOVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262671
72,000 miles · Mar 21, 2009
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262635
45,000 miles · Mar 20, 2009
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS GAUGE PROBLEMS, MOST NOTABLY, THE SPEEDOMETER. I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY 2500 TRUCK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS COVERED ON A RECALL BUT THE TRAILBLAZER IS NOT. I FEEL THAT THE TRAILBLAZER SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262555
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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