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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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155,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL AREA THE ENGINE WOULD SERGE BETWEEN 2K RPM AND 4K RPM. IF SURGING IS ALLOWED TO PERSIST THEN IT IS FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING SHUT OFF ULTIMATELY ENDING IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. AFTER VEHICLE IS RESTARTED THE CYCLE STARTS AGAIN AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561112

100,000 miles · Dec 4, 2013
Electrical System

FIRST SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. READS "0" ALL THE TIME. THEN THE GAS GAUGE QUITE WORKING. READS EMPTY AND THE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. THEN THE OIL GAUGE ALSO QUIT WORKING. THIS HAPPENED ALL WITHIN ABOUT 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554743

69,000 miles · Nov 30, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHORE MY SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 95 MPH. WHEN WE PARKED IT WAS STUCK ON 10. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. WHEN I PARK I HAVE TO CHECK WHAT IT STOPS AT. SOMETIMES, ITS 10, 20, 30, ETC. I HAVE TRIED DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE AND THAT HELPS AS A TEMP FIX. MY DEALER SAYS T…

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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHORE MY SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 95 MPH. WHEN WE PARKED IT WAS STUCK ON 10. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. WHEN I PARK I HAVE TO CHECK WHAT IT STOPS AT. SOMETIMES, ITS 10, 20, 30, ETC. I HAVE TRIED DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE AND THAT HELPS AS A TEMP FIX. MY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT I SAW ONLINE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM, BUT NOT FOR TRAILBLAZERS. THIS IS A GM ISSUE AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. UPDATED 03/11/14

NHTSA ODI #10554183

148,605 miles · Nov 22, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SLOWED DOWN & STOPPED FOR AN ACCIDENT AHEAD OF ME. I DID NOT SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND I DID NOT GO OVER ANY BUMPS THAT WOULD JAR THE VEHICLE. I WAS STOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. WHEN I BEGAN ACCELERATING I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NO LONGER ACCURATELY READING MY SPEED. I WAS DOING…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SLOWED DOWN & STOPPED FOR AN ACCIDENT AHEAD OF ME. I DID NOT SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND I DID NOT GO OVER ANY BUMPS THAT WOULD JAR THE VEHICLE. I WAS STOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. WHEN I BEGAN ACCELERATING I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NO LONGER ACCURATELY READING MY SPEED. I WAS DOING AROUND 50 MPH, BUT MY SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 22 MPH. I TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF ONCE I GOT HOME, THEN RESTARTING IT, BUT IT WAS STILL READING 22 MPH. WHEN I DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY, IT STARTED OUT READING 10 MPH, AND HAS VARIED SINCE THEN, BUT STILL NOT READING ACCURATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553310

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

I WENT INTO TOWN TO GRAB DINNER AND AS I AM DRIVING ALONG, MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINED ON, WERE THE ORANGE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. I FRANTICALLY TURNED THE HEADLIGHT KNOB ON AN OFF AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY, HOWEVER IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS. I EN…

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I WENT INTO TOWN TO GRAB DINNER AND AS I AM DRIVING ALONG, MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINED ON, WERE THE ORANGE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. I FRANTICALLY TURNED THE HEADLIGHT KNOB ON AN OFF AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY, HOWEVER IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS. I ENDED UP PULLING OVER TO THE GRAVEL SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. NOW I AM STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT TIME, WITH NO WORKING HEADLIGHTS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT, TAPPED THE HEADLIGHTS AND LOOKED FOR ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE AND DID NOT FIND AN ANSWER. UPON STARTING THE CAR AGAIN, IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEONE HAD TURNED ON A VACUUM CLEANER. THE NOISE PITCHED UP FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE PITCHING BACK DOWN. AFTER RE-STARTING THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE MOVED FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION AT "12 O'CLOCK" TO AN ABNORMAL "6 O'CLOCK". I TRIED TO CALL ONSTAR FOR A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC, HOWEVER NOW MY RADIO WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. I TRIED THE HEADLIGHTS AGAIN, AND THEY STILL WOULD NOT TURN ON. I TURNED ON MY HIGH BEAMS, AND PROCEEDED BACK HOME. WHILE EN ROUTE MY SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 10MPH OVER MY ACTUAL SPEED. WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED AT 10MPH. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE AS A COINCIDENCE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS I LOST THE ABILITY TO SEE AT NIGHT, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO MONITOR MY SPEED ALL WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE. NOT TO MENTION ALL OF THE MOTORISTS WHO WERE BLINDED BY MY HIGH BEAMS ON THE WAY BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551456

125,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. IT WORKS WHEN YOU START THE CAR, THEN WHEN STOPS ARE MADE, IT STOPS WORKING ALTOGETHER AND GOES TO ZERO. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS FAULTY PART YEARS AGO. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED T…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. IT WORKS WHEN YOU START THE CAR, THEN WHEN STOPS ARE MADE, IT STOPS WORKING ALTOGETHER AND GOES TO ZERO. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS FAULTY PART YEARS AGO. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED THE SERVICE PLACE SAID IT WAS A CLUSTER THAT WOULD COST OVER $500 TO GET FIXED. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD TAKE CARE OF TS CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550911

110,000 miles · Oct 26, 2013
Electrical System

MY SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD READ THE WRONG MPH AND START TO BOUNCE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THAT STARTED IT JUST WASN'T WORKING ALL TOGETHER AND NOW DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549633

50,000 miles · Oct 16, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN OCT 2010. NOT LONG THEREAFTER, NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T WORK ALL THE TIME - NORMALLY IT WORKS WHEN I FIRST START DRIVING BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP, IT STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I THINK IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO DOESN'T WORK …

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BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN OCT 2010. NOT LONG THEREAFTER, NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T WORK ALL THE TIME - NORMALLY IT WORKS WHEN I FIRST START DRIVING BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP, IT STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I THINK IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO DOESN'T WORK ONCE IN A WHILE. MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES, BUT OCCASIONALLY I CAN'T GET IT TO GO ON AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548108

48,000 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 11/29/13*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10547304

90,000 miles · Oct 6, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING THEN ALL THE OTHER GAUGES OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY THEN PERMANENTLY STOPPED WORKING. ASIDE FROM THE BATTERY GAUGE, THE LEAST IMPORTANT OF THEM ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546918

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.