IllustrationFIRST, FUEL GAUGE, THEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING. *JB
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.
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
950–25K
18325–50K
37350–75K
28875–100K
224100–150K
57150K+
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 reportsTHE WINDOW AND LOCK CONTROLS ON THE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE JUST STOPPED WORKING LEAVING MY WINDOW OPEN. IT IS NOT A FUSE. I BEGAN LOOKING FOR OTHER ISSUES ONLINE AND HAVE COME ACROSS THIS ISSUE ON EARLIER MODEL TRAILBLAZERS. I AM IN A COLD CLIMATE AS THE OTHER RECALL IS APPLICABLE TO. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DURING SUMMER TIME AND MY FUEL GAGE WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY FOR NO REASON. I HAD JUST FILLED UP, SO I KNEW THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK. IT HAS SINCE GIVEN ME RANDOM READINGS. IF I LET THE GAS LEVEL FALL BELOW 3/4 OF A TANK. IT WILL GO TO EMPTY EVEN IF I FILLED THE TANK. IT DOES WORK RANDOMLY SOMETIMES. *TR
MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING ONE DAY, AND HASN'T WORKED SINCE. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SAY I'M GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS DROPS TO 0 MPH, OR SAY I'M DRIVING 30 MPH. MY SPEEDOMETER IS NEVER ACCURATE. I WENT HAD IT CHECKED WITH THE CHEVROLET DEALER SHIP AND THEY STATED I NEED A NEW SPEED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND IT W…
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MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING ONE DAY, AND HASN'T WORKED SINCE. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SAY I'M GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS DROPS TO 0 MPH, OR SAY I'M DRIVING 30 MPH. MY SPEEDOMETER IS NEVER ACCURATE. I WENT HAD IT CHECKED WITH THE CHEVROLET DEALER SHIP AND THEY STATED I NEED A NEW SPEED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND IT WOULD COST ME $518.00 JUST FOR THE PART, NOT INCLUDING THE LABOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STILL ON 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STILL ON 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
SPEEDOMETER/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAVE FAILED/STOPPED WORKING. THE GAUGE BEGAN TICKING WHILE BEING OPERATED; SHOWING INCREASED, BUT NOT ACCURATE SPEED. NOW THE GAUGE STAYS AT 180 MPH AND NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. *TR
CLUSTER WENT OUT AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR
DRIVER SIDE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AT ALL! OUT OF THE BLUE THIS STOPPED WORKING. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE 2006-2007 MODELS WERE RECALLED NOT THE 2005! REALLY, THIS CAR IS "CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN A COLD WEATHER STATE WHICH USES SALT TO CLEAR THE ROADS" (DIRECT QUOTE FROM GENERAL M…
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DRIVER SIDE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AT ALL! OUT OF THE BLUE THIS STOPPED WORKING. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE 2006-2007 MODELS WERE RECALLED NOT THE 2005! REALLY, THIS CAR IS "CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN A COLD WEATHER STATE WHICH USES SALT TO CLEAR THE ROADS" (DIRECT QUOTE FROM GENERAL MOTORS AND ISUZU RECALL 258,000 SUVS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, AUGUST 19, 2012) SINCE 12/2005 WHICH IS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. JUST BECAUSE MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A FIRE "YET" BUT I HAVE THE "EXACT" PROBLEM WHICH AROSE BEFORE THESE VEHICLES DID CATCH FIRE, MINE IS NOT RECALLED? NOT ONLY WAS THE TRANSMISSION RECALLED IN 2008, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE "BLOWER MOTOR" NOT WORKING WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEAT. YOU COULD ONLY TURN ON THE HEAT TO NO. 4. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE ON 1/10/06, 1/30/06, 2/7/06 AND 2/17/06 WHICH WAS NOT EVEN 2 MO. AFTER PURCHASING SAID VEHICLE BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. IN 11/06 THE "FUEL PUMP MODULE" WAS REPLACED AND COVERED "ONLY" BECAUSE I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY THE $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE, BECAUSE I HAD GAS BUT IT WAS NOT REGISTERING. AGAIN, I CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN CALLING GM ON 7/24/13 ABOUT THE WINDOW SWITCH RECALL, I NOW FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A "SPECIAL COVERAGE" FOR THE "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR". THIS IS COVERED UNTIL 7/24/14, PER GM (866-694-6546), UNLESS YOU HAVE MORE THAN 120,000 SOMETHING MILES. WAS NOT SURE OF THE MILEAGE EXACTLY SINCE MINE IS BELOW THAT FIGURE. THE WINDOW SWITCH IS A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED IN "ALL YEARS" OF THIS VEHICLE. WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WILL JUST REV UP AND WANT TO TAKE OFF. I GUESS THIS ISN'T A "BIG DEAL" EITHER. YOU CAN'T EVEN LISTEN TO THE RADIO TO DISTRACT YOU WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS GOING ON BECAUSE THE RADIO ONLY COMES OUT OF "ONE" SPEAKER! GO FIGURE, IT IS GM! *TR
IN THE BEGINNING THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO HIGHEST SPEED IMMEDIATELY UPON CRANKING VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OR QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE GAS GAGE QUIT WORKING A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT. THEN AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER ALL OTHER GAUGES QUIT WORKING EXCEPT RPM GAGE. THAT IS ONLY FUNCTIONING GAGE ON INSTRUMENT P…
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IN THE BEGINNING THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO HIGHEST SPEED IMMEDIATELY UPON CRANKING VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OR QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE GAS GAGE QUIT WORKING A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT. THEN AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER ALL OTHER GAUGES QUIT WORKING EXCEPT RPM GAGE. THAT IS ONLY FUNCTIONING GAGE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS SPORADICALLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR
Official recalls
206V417000 · 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
2RQ17002 · 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.