IllustrationMY SPEEDOMETER HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING IN MY '05' TRAILBLAZER IT HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT AND THE GAS HAND IS STARTING TO GO OUT ALSO. *TR
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 reportsTRAILBLAZER 2005 SPEEDOMETER SOMETIMES WORKS PERFECTLY, THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY JUST SIT BELOW ZERO AND STAY THERE UNTIL IT DECIDES TO MOVE AGAIN. OCCASIONALLY, WILL HOVER AROUND 10-20 MPH, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED BEING DRIVEN. SEEMS LIKE A CONSISTENT COMPLAINT. LOCAL CHEVY DEALER QUOTED AROUND $650 TO REPAIR. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER IN 2005, IN 2006 THE GAS GAUGE WENT OUT, IT DID NOT READ THE AMOUNT OF GAS THE VEHICLE HAD IN IT. LATER THAT SAME YEAR THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD SPIN ALL THE WAY AROUND THE DIAL. AS OF 2009 IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT. THE GAS GAUGE WENT OUT WHEN THEE WAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TH…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER IN 2005, IN 2006 THE GAS GAUGE WENT OUT, IT DID NOT READ THE AMOUNT OF GAS THE VEHICLE HAD IN IT. LATER THAT SAME YEAR THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD SPIN ALL THE WAY AROUND THE DIAL. AS OF 2009 IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT. THE GAS GAUGE WENT OUT WHEN THEE WAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT WHEN THERE WAS ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO A WEBSITE AND THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. SEE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/TRAILBLAZER/2005/ELECTRICAL/SPEEDOMETER_GONE_HAYWIRE.SHTML AND HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/TRAILBLAZER/2005/ELECTRICAL/FUEL_GAUGE_QUIT_WORKING.SHTML PLEASE HELP TP HAVE THE PARTS ON THIS VEHICLE RECALLED. *TR
GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING, COST TO FIX AT DEALERSHIP EST. $1800, EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM WHILE DRIVING, DEALERSHIP CANT FIND PROBLEM, CAR SEEMS TO "JUMP" OR LEAP FORWARD WHILE COASTING OR WHEN APPLY BRAKE, DEALERSHIP CANT FIND THE PROBLEMS OR CAUSE, CAR STALLS AND RPM DROP IF GAS PEDAL NOT PUSHED, WINDSHIELD W…
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GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING, COST TO FIX AT DEALERSHIP EST. $1800, EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM WHILE DRIVING, DEALERSHIP CANT FIND PROBLEM, CAR SEEMS TO "JUMP" OR LEAP FORWARD WHILE COASTING OR WHEN APPLY BRAKE, DEALERSHIP CANT FIND THE PROBLEMS OR CAUSE, CAR STALLS AND RPM DROP IF GAS PEDAL NOT PUSHED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED AUTOMATICALLY AND WONT TURN OFF. HAD TO TAKE FUSE OUT, THEREFORE NO WIPERS. ALL THESE ITEMS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE FAMILY DRIVING. THE ONLY PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND WAS THE GAS GAUGE SENSOR WHICH IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND COST $1800. ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER IS GOING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE OR RECOMMENDED ONE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. NO ONE CAN FIND THE "PROBLEM". *TR
WE OWN A 2005 TRAIL BLAZER.........WE WAS DRIVING THREW OUR HOME TOWN ON DAY AND THIS IS A 20 MPH ZONE. MY HUSBAND LOOKED DOWN AND WE WAS GOING 120MPH!!! WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER THEY SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT $350.00. WOW!!! DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD PAY FOR THIS...AND I DO THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL...CAUSE THERE IS ALOT OF …
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WE OWN A 2005 TRAIL BLAZER.........WE WAS DRIVING THREW OUR HOME TOWN ON DAY AND THIS IS A 20 MPH ZONE. MY HUSBAND LOOKED DOWN AND WE WAS GOING 120MPH!!! WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALER THEY SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT $350.00. WOW!!! DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD PAY FOR THIS...AND I DO THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL...CAUSE THERE IS ALOT OF COMPLAINT ONLINE ABOUT 2005 TRAIL BLAZERS. ALL WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEN ABOUT A WEEK OUR GAS GAUGE ALSO WENT OUT.....OMG!!! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. SINCE JULY 5, 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL FAILS TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK OUT. IN ADDITION, THE TANK COULD BE EMPTY, BUT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY A FULL TANK. THE VIN WAS U…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. SINCE JULY 5, 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE DIAL FAILS TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK OUT. IN ADDITION, THE TANK COULD BE EMPTY, BUT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY A FULL TANK. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
A/C RESISTOR AND WIRING HARNESS MELTED. *TR
SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING ON 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER, AND ALSO THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. *TR
2005 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER. SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT 5900 MILES.. 06-24-09 I LOOKED UP SAFTY RECALS THERE ARE ALOT OF THE SAME POBLEMS ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR INSPE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
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.