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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
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2009
Fuel System, Other

BOUGHT A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING ON IT. QUIT RIGHT AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. WE HAD ALSO BOUGHT A 2000 CHEVY SILVERADO IN 2004 FUEL GAUGE WENT OUT ON IT, IT HAS THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR/SENDING UNIT BUILT ONTO THE FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP WORKS GREAT JUST THE SENSOR IS BROKE. WHAT IS WITH THESE ON THE CHEVROLETS.…

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BOUGHT A 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING ON IT. QUIT RIGHT AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. WE HAD ALSO BOUGHT A 2000 CHEVY SILVERADO IN 2004 FUEL GAUGE WENT OUT ON IT, IT HAS THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR/SENDING UNIT BUILT ONTO THE FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP WORKS GREAT JUST THE SENSOR IS BROKE. WHAT IS WITH THESE ON THE CHEVROLETS. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE ON THEIR CHEVROLETS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254056

102,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MIDAS FOR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AND THE OIL WAS REPLACED WITH A LIFE X-TEND OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFITNG INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BEARING F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MIDAS FOR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AND THE OIL WAS REPLACED WITH A LIFE X-TEND OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFITNG INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BEARING FAILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE OIL THAT WAS PLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION REVEALED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD PREVIOUS FAILURES. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE X-TEND OIL MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF IT IS PROVEN THAT THE OIL WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10253844

50,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER - INTERMITTENT FLICKERING OF EXTERIOR LIGHTS. HEADLIGHTS SPORADICALLY FLICKER DURING NORMAL NIGHT TIME DRIVING. FLICKERING MAY OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES DURING TRIP AND THEN NOT OCCUR AGAIN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. PROBLEM BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND IS PROBABLY VERY DISTRACTING…

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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER - INTERMITTENT FLICKERING OF EXTERIOR LIGHTS. HEADLIGHTS SPORADICALLY FLICKER DURING NORMAL NIGHT TIME DRIVING. FLICKERING MAY OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES DURING TRIP AND THEN NOT OCCUR AGAIN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. PROBLEM BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND IS PROBABLY VERY DISTRACTING TO OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253833

52,000 miles · Jan 4, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2004 TRAIL BLAZER AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING . IT DOES HAYWIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COST 600.00 TO BE FIXED . I ONLY HAS 52000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. CHAT ROOMS SAID THAT GM HAD PROBLEMS WITH DIFFERENT VEHICLES THAT USES THE SAME SPEEDOMETER, AND DID A RECALL ON THESE MODELS . I WAS TOLD THAT SO MAY PEOPLE HAD TO …

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I HAVE A 2004 TRAIL BLAZER AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING . IT DOES HAYWIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COST 600.00 TO BE FIXED . I ONLY HAS 52000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. CHAT ROOMS SAID THAT GM HAD PROBLEMS WITH DIFFERENT VEHICLES THAT USES THE SAME SPEEDOMETER, AND DID A RECALL ON THESE MODELS . I WAS TOLD THAT SO MAY PEOPLE HAD TO COMPLAIN BEFORE GM ISSUE A RECALL. I CAN READ MY GAS OR MY SPEED OR MY TACHOMETER, OR MY TEMP. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253759

42,000 miles · Dec 27, 2008
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER IS NOT WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG TRAILBLAZER OWNERS, AND GM REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR IT. THE REPAIR MUST BE DONE BY A DEALER AND IS UPWARDS OF $600. THIS CAUSES A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252894

58,000 miles · Dec 20, 2008
Electrical System

A WEEK AGO I STARTED MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 70 MPH IN PARK AND RPM GAUGE AT 6000. IT HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT SINCE - FLUCTUATING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 0- 120MPH WHILE AT A STOP OR DRIVING . FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORE…

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A WEEK AGO I STARTED MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 70 MPH IN PARK AND RPM GAUGE AT 6000. IT HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT SINCE - FLUCTUATING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 0- 120MPH WHILE AT A STOP OR DRIVING . FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252363

96,000 miles · Dec 20, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipment

I HAVE 2004 TRAILBLAZER AND CLUSTER IS BAD THIS NEED TO BE RECALL . I NEED TO REPORT A PROBLEM A CAN'T SOLVE WITH GM COMPLAINT NUMBER FROM GM IS 71-683-983-288 AND VIN NUMBER IT WILL COST AROUND 600 TO REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252333

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2008
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO REPORT THE PROPER SPEED,AT TIMES IT STARTS OUT AT 80 MPH AND GO UP TO 120 MPH SITTING STILL, AT TIMES THE WHOLE INSTRUMENTS PANEL FAILS ( FUEL GAUGE TEMP GAUGE VOLTAGE METER ). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252311

79,000 miles · Dec 19, 2008
Electrical System

WE HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER LT AND HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN 30-120MPH OR DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALER A FEW MILES FROM OUR HOME. THEY SAID, THEY HAVE TO SEND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OUT TO GET REPAIRED/ REPROGRAMMED AND IT WOULD COST $525. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WH…

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WE HAVE A 2004 TRAILBLAZER LT AND HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN 30-120MPH OR DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALER A FEW MILES FROM OUR HOME. THEY SAID, THEY HAVE TO SEND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OUT TO GET REPAIRED/ REPROGRAMMED AND IT WOULD COST $525. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY CHEVY DOES NOT PROVIDED SOME SORT OF DISCOUNT OR RECALL FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THERE TRAILBLAZERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252254

86,685 miles · Dec 18, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAGE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS VERY ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OUR DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE AT THE LEAST $500. THIS REALLY UPSETS ME AS WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS FOR …

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SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAGE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS VERY ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OUR DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE AT THE LEAST $500. THIS REALLY UPSETS ME AS WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252233

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.