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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Trailblazer years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 87.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,220 reports with mileage · 246 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 617 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 435 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

59 crash reports25 fire reports41 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

617 reports
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75,000 miles · May 24, 2014
Electrical System

THE SPEED KEEPS CHANGING AND IT WILL NOT STAY ACCURATE AND ALL GAUGES KEEP MESSING UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593896

90,000 miles · May 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

SIR/ MA'AM, I NOTICED RECENTLY IN THE NEWS THAT SEVERAL GM PRODUCT LINES HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND/OR CUT OUT. I IMPLORE YOU TO LOOK INTO THE TRAILBLAZERS. I EMAILED GM WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED (2012) AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUNAROUND SAYING THAT IT IS NOT A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM,…

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SIR/ MA'AM, I NOTICED RECENTLY IN THE NEWS THAT SEVERAL GM PRODUCT LINES HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND/OR CUT OUT. I IMPLORE YOU TO LOOK INTO THE TRAILBLAZERS. I EMAILED GM WHILE I WAS DEPLOYED (2012) AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUNAROUND SAYING THAT IT IS NOT A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM, AS EXPECTED. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH WOULD SHOW THAT A LOT OF OTHER TRAILBLAZER OWNERS HAVE BAD IGNITION SWITCHES/ ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AT ALL SPEEDS. MY WIFE LOST POWER GOING ABOUT 35 MPH AND I HAD MY TWO CHILDREN ALONG WITH HER. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE, ON ONE OCCASION. GRANTED, I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, IT STILL OCCURS AT RANDOM AND AT ALL SPEEDS. GM TELLS ME TO GO TO A DEALER AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. I REFUSE TO PAY GM ANY MONEY TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP RIP ME OFF FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS FLAWED AND REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME FAULTY OEM STYLE/MODEL NUMBER. I HAVE RAN A SCAN TOOL LOOKING FOR CODES AND IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY. LIKE STATED PREVIOUSLY, THIS IS ANOTHER LINE OF GM THAT IS PLAGUED WITH IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT GM REFUSES TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF. THE MILEAGE I HAVE ENTERED IS APPROXIMATE. I CANNOT REMEMBER EXACT NUMBERS, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED FOR YEARS, INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS COASTED TO IT'S FINAL DESTINATION AFTER LOSING POWER, IT STARTS UP AND DRIVES NORMAL AGAIN AFTER IT IS PUT BACK INTO PARK. ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT IT DOESN'T SHOW ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, INDICATING A PROBLEM OR NEED OF SERVICING. AGAIN, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PRODUCT LINE AS I KNOW THE RESULT(S) WILL SHOW THAT GM IS LIABLE AND I DON'T WANT ANY FATALITIES BECAUSE NOBODY SPOKE UP ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592057

92,000 miles · May 15, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY PARKS ON 0 MPH NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED IS. THE FUEL GAUGE RANDOMLY INDICATES "E" OR OTHER INACCURATE FUEL READINGS REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588558

175,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING SMELL WAS EMITTED FROM THE CONTROL MODULE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE DOOR SHE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING SMELL WAS EMITTED FROM THE CONTROL MODULE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE DOOR SHE NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10587900

97,540 miles · May 7, 2014
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AND WILL NOT MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586992

89,000 miles · May 4, 2014
Electrical System

FIRST MY GAS GAUGE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. AFTER PURCHASING GAS MY GAUGE WOULD WORK SOMETIME. NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THEN MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WENT. NOW MY SPEEDOMETER WORKS MOST TIMES BUT AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE IT DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND STARTING THE CAR A FEW TIMES IT STARTS TO WORK AGAI…

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FIRST MY GAS GAUGE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. AFTER PURCHASING GAS MY GAUGE WOULD WORK SOMETIME. NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THEN MY OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WENT. NOW MY SPEEDOMETER WORKS MOST TIMES BUT AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE IT DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND STARTING THE CAR A FEW TIMES IT STARTS TO WORK AGAIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVYS. MY BROTHER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN HIS CHEVY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586421

140,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment

THE HEATER LEVELS STARTED TO GO OUT. FIRST 5, THEN 1 UNTIL IT NO LONGER WORKED AT ALL. I GOT IT REPAIRED BUT THE 5TH LEVEL DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE. THE LEFT HALF OF THE RADIO/CD PLAYER NO LONGER LIGHTS UP. MY GAS GAUGE WOULD ONLY REGISTER A QUARTER TANK AND THEN WOULD EVENTUALLY DROPPED TO EMPTY. IT NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. MOST R…

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THE HEATER LEVELS STARTED TO GO OUT. FIRST 5, THEN 1 UNTIL IT NO LONGER WORKED AT ALL. I GOT IT REPAIRED BUT THE 5TH LEVEL DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE. THE LEFT HALF OF THE RADIO/CD PLAYER NO LONGER LIGHTS UP. MY GAS GAUGE WOULD ONLY REGISTER A QUARTER TANK AND THEN WOULD EVENTUALLY DROPPED TO EMPTY. IT NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. MOST RECENTLY MY SPEEDOMETER WILL OCCASIONALLY QUIT WORKING OR REGISTER THE WRONG SPEED. I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART UNTIL IT WORKS AGAIN. ALSO, MY TACHOMETER GOES WAY UP WHEN I BEGIN DRIVING AND THE CAR SEEMS TO REV WAY UP BEFORE IT CHANGES GEARS AND JERKS INTO GEAR. I QUESTIONED A MECHANIC ABOUT THIS, THINKING IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH IT ISN'T. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH POWER. I HAVE CONSTANTLY HAD ISSUES WITH THIS TRAILBLAZER EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I ALSO OWNED A BLAZER AT ONE TIME AND ALSO HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH IT. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY, BUT NEVER AGAIN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586148

94,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

MY FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER I FILL THE TANK WITH FUEL. AFTER DRIVING SOME DURATION OF TIME THE TANK WILL ONLY READ A QUARTER OF A TANK FULL. I FIND THIS TO BE A HAZARD BECAUSE I TRAVEL FOR LONG DISTANCE TRIPS AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET AN ACCURATE READING OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT IS IN YOUR TANK. I HAVE READ THIS TO BE AN I…

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MY FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER I FILL THE TANK WITH FUEL. AFTER DRIVING SOME DURATION OF TIME THE TANK WILL ONLY READ A QUARTER OF A TANK FULL. I FIND THIS TO BE A HAZARD BECAUSE I TRAVEL FOR LONG DISTANCE TRIPS AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET AN ACCURATE READING OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT IS IN YOUR TANK. I HAVE READ THIS TO BE AN ISSUE ON MULTIPLE DIFFERENT WEBSITES WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND I BELIEVE THAT GMC SHOULD OFFER TO PAY FULL PRICE AND FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10585285

90,100 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Electrical System

TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY. SPEEDOMETER NOW ACTING PROPERLY BUT TACH HAS NEVER FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY SINCE. RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF THESE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER UNITS THAT ARE FAILING AND EVENTUALLY ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS WITHIN THE CLUSTER ARE LIKELY TO BREA…

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TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY. SPEEDOMETER NOW ACTING PROPERLY BUT TACH HAS NEVER FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY SINCE. RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF THESE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER UNITS THAT ARE FAILING AND EVENTUALLY ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS WITHIN THE CLUSTER ARE LIKELY TO BREAK. IN FACT, A CLASS ACTION SUIT FORCED GENERAL MOTORS TO RECALL/REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ON SILVERADO PICKUPS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHEN I CONTACTED GM ABOUT WORKING WITH ME TO REPLACE THE FAILING CLUSTER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND TO BASICALLY "POUND SAND." WITH SO MANY DOCUMENTED INSTANCES OF FAILURE AND GM'S NOW DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF AVOID RECALLS EVEN AT THE COST OF HUMAN LIFE I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO STEP UP AND BRING PRESSURE ON GM TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN REBUFFED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO HAVE THE AUTOMAKER ACCEPT ITS PROPER RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING INADEQUATE OR FAULTY MATERIALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583863

145,000 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Electrical System

SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE APPROX 5 YEARS AGO I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES ABOUT A YEAR LATER. IT STARTED WITH MY SPEED ODOMETER GAUGE STOPPED WORKING THEN OVER THAT FOLLOWING YEAR EVENTUALLY ALL THE GAUGES STOPPED FUNCTIONING. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF MY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. MY BREAK LIGHTS WILL WORK OFF AND O…

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SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE APPROX 5 YEARS AGO I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES ABOUT A YEAR LATER. IT STARTED WITH MY SPEED ODOMETER GAUGE STOPPED WORKING THEN OVER THAT FOLLOWING YEAR EVENTUALLY ALL THE GAUGES STOPPED FUNCTIONING. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF MY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. MY BREAK LIGHTS WILL WORK OFF AND ON, MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS WORKS OFF AND ON, MY BLOWER STOPS WORKING WHEN EVER IT FEELS, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED MY THROTTLE ON HAS PEDAL NEVER CLOSES SO I AVERAGE 9 MILES PER GALLON IN GAS MILEAGE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DECIDE WHEN TO WORK AND NOT, AND THE LOCKS ON THEIR ON CAUSING ME TO GET LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR AT TIMES. THIS TO ME IS CLEARLY A ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND HAVE SPOKE TO GM BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN TRADE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET A SAFER VEHICLE BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS IT. EITHER WAY I WORRY OF THE SAFETY FOR ANYONE IN THIS VEHICLES AND THEY NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577627

Official recalls

2

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

05V035000 · Visibility:windshield

Feb 3, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, 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

2

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.

DP10001 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure

Opened Jan 7, 2010 · Closed May 23, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Other

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.