NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,081 reports58,200 miles · Jan 10, 2008
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ONTO THE HIGHWAY ON JANUARY 4, 2008 AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO. AFTER WE STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND THEN STEADIED AROUND 50 MPH EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TO BE TRAVELING FASTER THAN THAT TO KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. NOW WHEN IT IDLES…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER ONTO THE HIGHWAY ON JANUARY 4, 2008 AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO. AFTER WE STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND THEN STEADIED AROUND 50 MPH EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TO BE TRAVELING FASTER THAN THAT TO KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. NOW WHEN IT IDLES, THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY CATCHES. BUD WOLF CHEVROLET SAID ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH, THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS THE TRAILBLAZERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS A NUMBER OF OTHER GM SUV'S AND TRUCKS. (THEY FIXED 5 TRAILBLAZERS IN THE PAST MONTH THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER). HOWEVER, I LEARNED THAT THEY WERE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS AND WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR TODAY. WHEN I CALLED OTHER DEALERS, AND CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, MANY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS ARE UNHAPPY BECAUSE THEY ARE EITHER HAVING TO PAY $500 FOR THE REPAIR OR DRIVE THEIR VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY SPEEDOMETER BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214465
55,000 miles · Jan 9, 2008
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER IN VEHICLE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN PARKED THE SPEEDOMETER IS INDICATING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 AND 90 MPH WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL TRAVEL SPORADICALLY UP FROM ITS START POINT UNTIL IT REACHES ITS MAX LOCATION. WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SOMETIMES TRAVEL BACK TOWARDS ITS START …
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SPEEDOMETER IN VEHICLE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN PARKED THE SPEEDOMETER IS INDICATING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 AND 90 MPH WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL TRAVEL SPORADICALLY UP FROM ITS START POINT UNTIL IT REACHES ITS MAX LOCATION. WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SOMETIMES TRAVEL BACK TOWARDS ITS START POINT, SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. I DO CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM SHOULD ADDRESS. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS REVEALED 100'S OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM IN TRAILBLAZERS, AS WELL AS WITH GMC YUKON'S, SIERRA PICK UPS, CHEVY TAHOE'S, AVALANCHE'S, AND SILVERADO'S. THERE HAS BEEN AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY ON SEVERAL MODELS TO REPAIR THIS DEFECTIVE GAUGE CLUSTER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE TRAILBLAZER HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS EXTENSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214285
45,000 miles · Jan 6, 2008
Power TrainCrash
THE FAILURE INVOLVES THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL DEVICE THAT SHIFTS THE CAR INTO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. THE FOUR-WHEEL IS ENGAGED BY SELECTING 4WD WITH A DASHBOARD SELECTOR SWITCH. THE SWITCH WILL SHOW A LIGHTED INDICATOR MOVING FROM 2WD TO THE 4WD. THIS INDICATION IS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING TOWARDS A SNOW COVERED MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH SEVERAL…
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THE FAILURE INVOLVES THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL DEVICE THAT SHIFTS THE CAR INTO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. THE FOUR-WHEEL IS ENGAGED BY SELECTING 4WD WITH A DASHBOARD SELECTOR SWITCH. THE SWITCH WILL SHOW A LIGHTED INDICATOR MOVING FROM 2WD TO THE 4WD. THIS INDICATION IS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING TOWARDS A SNOW COVERED MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH SEVERAL SHARP TURNS GOING UP THE MOUNTAIN THE VEHICLES SELECTOR SWITCH WAS MOVED TO THE 4WD POSITION AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWN IT WAS ENGAGE IN THE 4WD MODE. HOWEVER THE INDICATION WAS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY ONLY IN 2WD. THE SELECTOR SWITCH ENGAGES AN ACTUATOR THAT CAUSES A FORK TO MOVE THE GEARS IN THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE INTO OR OUT OF 4WD. THE RESULT OF THE FALSE INDICATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING IN 4WD WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY IN 2WD CAUSE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO BREAK TRACTION AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO START INTO A SPIN WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE LEAVING THE ROAD AND DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THAT THE VEHICLE GAVE A FALSE INDICATION OF BEING IN 4WD WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY IN 2WD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213976
30,000 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. AROUND 25,000 MILES, SES LIGHT CAME ON, GOT SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY WITH A BURNED OUT O2 SENSOR AS THE CAUSE. AT 30, 000 MILES, THE SES LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND PAID $80 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. SERVICE REP CAME BACK SAYING V…
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I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. AROUND 25,000 MILES, SES LIGHT CAME ON, GOT SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY WITH A BURNED OUT O2 SENSOR AS THE CAUSE. AT 30, 000 MILES, THE SES LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND PAID $80 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. SERVICE REP CAME BACK SAYING VEHICLE WAS FINE, CODES WERE IN THE COMPUTER'S HISTORY AND NO PROBLEMS EXIST. TWO DAYS LATER, SES LIGHT POPS BACK UP. DUE TO THE WEATHER, I GARAGED MY TRAILBLAZER AND BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL INSIDE MY HOUSE, AND WAS EVEN STRONGER IN THE GARAGE. RAW FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT FROM UNDER THE GAS TANK, AND PARTS WERE DOUSED. I CALL GM, EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS/SPECIAL REPAIRS ETC. ON 2004 MODELS. THEY DID CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL HAVE A REP CALL ME BACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213295
51,110 miles · Dec 30, 2007
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER DEFECT IN 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213222
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2007
Electrical System
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER JUMPS, REGISTERS INCORRECTLY IE: 30MPH WHEN GOING 65MPG, OR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL, WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213171
63,200 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT READS AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN YOU ARE TRAVELING, OFTEN GOING PAST THE 120 MPH LIMIT ON THE SPEEDOMETER FACE. IT IS A CONSTANTLY OCCURRING PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT STOPPED SINCE IT BEGAN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT SPEED THEY ARE TRAVELING, WH…
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SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT READS AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN YOU ARE TRAVELING, OFTEN GOING PAST THE 120 MPH LIMIT ON THE SPEEDOMETER FACE. IT IS A CONSTANTLY OCCURRING PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT STOPPED SINCE IT BEGAN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT SPEED THEY ARE TRAVELING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212894
55,000 miles · Dec 23, 2007
Electrical System
GAUGE CLUSTER IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. (TACHOMETER & SPEEDOMETER). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212596
41,500 miles · Dec 22, 2007
Electrical System
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. NOT ONLY DID THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER NOT WORK, THEY BOTH REGISTERED THE WRONG INFORMATION. AT TIMES, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BE READING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY GOING AROUND 55-60 MPH. IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE WRONG, IT DOES NOT CAUSE TOO MUCH TR…
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THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. NOT ONLY DID THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER NOT WORK, THEY BOTH REGISTERED THE WRONG INFORMATION. AT TIMES, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BE READING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY GOING AROUND 55-60 MPH. IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE WRONG, IT DOES NOT CAUSE TOO MUCH TROUBLE, BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE IF SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE TOO OFTEN, SAY A SPOUSE, AND THEY HEAD INTO A SHARP CURVE WITH A WARNING SIGN POSTED AT 25MPH, AND THEY LOOK AT THE SPEEDOMETER FOR VERIFICATION, AND FORGET THAT IT IS WRONG. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, WHEN IT IS HARDER TO JUDGE YOUR SPEED. GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENGINEERING FLAW ON THEIR VEHICLES. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. AS A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN ONE OF THE THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN NORTH CAROLINA, I FEEL QUALIFIED TO MAKE THE STATEMENT THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND SHOULD PROMPT ACTION BY THE NHTSA TO FORCE GM TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AT NO CHARGE. INSTEAD GM IS MAKING A LOT OF MONEY OFF THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE REPAIRS. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, ABOUT $500 PER VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETERS GO OUT AROUND 40-50 K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212569
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GET STUCK AND THEN IT WILL NOT GO BACK TO 0 WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL ALSO AT TIMES SHOW THAT I AM GOING 120MPH+ AND I AM BARELY MOVING OR STOPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET BACK TO 0 MPH (IF IT WORKS) IS TO TURN THE TRAILBLAZER ON AND OFF UNTIL IT GOES BACK TO 0. VEHICLE HAS 50,000 …
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WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER WILL GET STUCK AND THEN IT WILL NOT GO BACK TO 0 WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL ALSO AT TIMES SHOW THAT I AM GOING 120MPH+ AND I AM BARELY MOVING OR STOPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET BACK TO 0 MPH (IF IT WORKS) IS TO TURN THE TRAILBLAZER ON AND OFF UNTIL IT GOES BACK TO 0. VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILE'S. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THIS HAPPENING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212366
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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