IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trailblazer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING SUCH AS MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY. HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 10 TIMES. HAS BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES BUT SAY THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY OVER A YEAR - VEHICLE HAS ONLY 27,000 ON IT. *JB
FOIA REQUEST ALL DOCUMENTS/INFO RELATIVE TO ANY RECALLS OR KNOWN DEFECTS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. *TS ATTORNEY'S CLIENTS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE VEHICLE THEY WERE OPERATING WAS INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED, FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT AND AS A…
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FOIA REQUEST ALL DOCUMENTS/INFO RELATIVE TO ANY RECALLS OR KNOWN DEFECTS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. *TS ATTORNEY'S CLIENTS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE VEHICLE THEY WERE OPERATING WAS INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED, FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT AND AS A RESULT THE THREE OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. *NM ***NAR***
THE REAR TIRES ON THE CONSUMER'S 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER WEAR OUT EVERY COUPLE THOUSAND MILES WHILE THE FRONT TIRES SHOW NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF WEAR. *NM IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A BENT DIFFERENTIAL. *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF IN 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. 2003 MODEL YEAR HAD SAME PROBLEM AND WAS RECALLED BY MANUFACTURER. *JB
WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS A PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT MAY OR MAY NOT STALL, BUT IT GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WITH ALL SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS ON. IT DID STALL ONE PARTICULAR TIME WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. SHE WAS ON A STEEP HILL AND THE VEHICL…
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WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS A PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT MAY OR MAY NOT STALL, BUT IT GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WITH ALL SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS ON. IT DID STALL ONE PARTICULAR TIME WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. SHE WAS ON A STEEP HILL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED BACKWARD DOWN THE HILL. IT WAS VARY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE FOR HER WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ON. LUCKLY NO ONE WAS BEHIND HER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO OUR DEALERSHIP FOR THE 5TH TIME NOW AND TWICE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS DIM AND HEADLIGHTS DIM AT THE SAME TIME. THE LIGHTS THEN IMMEDIATELY FLICKER BACK TO NORMAL NIGHTTIME LIGHTS. IT APPEARS THEY ARE FLICKERING BETWEEN DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME SETTINGS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HIT A GUARD RAIL THEN ROLLED OVER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HIT A GUARD RAIL THEN ROLLED OVER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION FOR THESE PROBLEMS.
I'VE TAKEN MY TRAILBLAZER TO THE SHOP TO CHECK OUT THE POWER STEERING UNIT. MY POWER STEERING MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WHEN CUTTING YOUR WHEELS TO PARK ARE IF YOU ARE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I'VE TALK TO SHOP MANAGER AND THEY CHECK IT OUT AND STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY POWER STEERING ,AND AS OF TOD…
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I'VE TAKEN MY TRAILBLAZER TO THE SHOP TO CHECK OUT THE POWER STEERING UNIT. MY POWER STEERING MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WHEN CUTTING YOUR WHEELS TO PARK ARE IF YOU ARE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I'VE TALK TO SHOP MANAGER AND THEY CHECK IT OUT AND STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY POWER STEERING ,AND AS OF TODAY MY POWER STEERING UNIT CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT GRINDING SOUND. *NM
2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS. IN THE RATHER SHORT TIME I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER REPAIR 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME GROUP OF PROBLEMS. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEEP POINTING TO THE SKY RANDOMLY CAUSING BRIEF CONFUSION WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. THE PRE-SET MEMORY KEEPS CLEARING ITSELF.…
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2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS. IN THE RATHER SHORT TIME I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER REPAIR 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME GROUP OF PROBLEMS. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEEP POINTING TO THE SKY RANDOMLY CAUSING BRIEF CONFUSION WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY. THE PRE-SET MEMORY KEEPS CLEARING ITSELF. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS OFTEN GO VERY DIM AND FLICKER CAUSING DISTRACTION TO THE OTHER DRIVERS AND FEAR IN THE DRIVER OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW CONTROLS RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT. ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER BUT NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. SEVERAL COMPUTER REPROGRAMMING AND PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL REMAIN. THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT INFORMATION POSTED ON THE INTERNET BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE IS VALID. THAT IS BULL~H@T !THEY SEEM RELUCTANT TO CONTINUE TROUBLESHOOTING IT. MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT IT ENDS UP BURNING TO THE GROUND LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED. SOMETHING HAS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES. *NM
Official recalls
205V198000 · 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
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.