IllustrationMY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND THE VOLTAGE METER BOUNCES AROUND. THE FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS ARE A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS AS THOSE AHEAD OF ME THINK I AM TRYING TO FLAG THEM DOWN. *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 reportsLIGHTS (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL) DIM OR FLASH WHEN THE GAS IS LET OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, PEOPLE PULL OVER, FLASH YOU BACK, AND IN ONE INSTANCE I POLICE OFFICER PULLED ME OVER. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WORSE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLDER THAN 50 DEGREES. IT'S BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND IS…
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LIGHTS (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL) DIM OR FLASH WHEN THE GAS IS LET OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, PEOPLE PULL OVER, FLASH YOU BACK, AND IN ONE INSTANCE I POLICE OFFICER PULLED ME OVER. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WORSE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLDER THAN 50 DEGREES. IT'S BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY EITHER NEGATE THE PROBLEM AS NORMAL OR CLAIM THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT. SOME GM EXPLANATIONS REFER TO LOW SPEEDS AND BRIEF DRIVE TIMES, I CAN SAY FIRST HAND IT'S HAPPENED EVERY MILE OF A 300 MILE TRIP, MULTIPLE TIMES. I'VE READ NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS IN YOUR COMPLAINT DATABASE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT TO GET YOU TO MAKE GM FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR
MY HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS DIM AND FLICKER. MY FUEL GAUGE IS NEVER CORRECT IT WILL SHOW EMPTY RIGHT AFTER A FILL-UP. *TR
BOUGHT THE 2005 TRAILBLAZER NEW, HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE THE FLASHING LIGHTS FIXED ON 3 OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN WHILE ON A TRIP THE SWITCH WENT OUT, AND WAS REPLACED AT A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED, THE LIGHTS QUIT FLASHING. NOW THE ALTERNATOR H…
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BOUGHT THE 2005 TRAILBLAZER NEW, HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE THE FLASHING LIGHTS FIXED ON 3 OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN WHILE ON A TRIP THE SWITCH WENT OUT, AND WAS REPLACED AT A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED, THE LIGHTS QUIT FLASHING. NOW THE ALTERNATOR HAS GONE OUT, ONLY 48,000 MILES. *JB
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN TIMES THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLASH (BRIGHT -> DIM -> BRIGHT) IN A FAST FASHION. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WERE PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE ALLOWING THEM TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF THEM, ECT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN TIMES THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLASH (BRIGHT -> DIM -> BRIGHT) IN A FAST FASHION. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WERE PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE ALLOWING THEM TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF THEM, ECT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. FROM WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING ON FORUMS CHEVY SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL". DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT I BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. HERE IS A SITE I FOUND REGARDING THE ISSUE HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TRAILBLAZER/TUCLLQK4UIF5NA0UT. I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED HERE AND I BELIEF IT CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *JB
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING UPON SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FUNCTION, AND COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER. TODAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER DEALER THAT THE ALTENATOR BEARINGS HAVE GONE BAD, AND THE ALTENATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 57K MIL…
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ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING UPON SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FUNCTION, AND COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER. TODAY, I WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER DEALER THAT THE ALTENATOR BEARINGS HAVE GONE BAD, AND THE ALTENATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 57K MILES.
BASICALLY MY 2006 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER CONTINUES TO GO DEAD WHILE DRIVING OR NOT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 5X AND THEY STILL CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SOMETIMES IT STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND AT OTHER TIMES IF I GO NOWHERE IT WILL NOT CRANK UP. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE THE DEALERS…
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BASICALLY MY 2006 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER CONTINUES TO GO DEAD WHILE DRIVING OR NOT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 5X AND THEY STILL CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SOMETIMES IT STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND AT OTHER TIMES IF I GO NOWHERE IT WILL NOT CRANK UP. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP HAS PUT IN 2 NEW BATTERIES WHICH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM AS THEY STATED. THEY HAVE ALSO KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK TO SEE WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WHICH DID OCCUR. ONE DAY THEY WERE DRIVING IT THE NEXT DAY IT WOULDN'T START. THEY JUMPED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER STILL GOT NOTHING. THIS IS POSING A PROBLEM FOR ME SINCE I HAVE 3 YOUNG KIDS ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 5 THAT I DRIVE AROUND DAILY. WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN THE TRUCK STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH MY LITTLE ONES! *JB
SEVERE FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER, RESULTING IN DIMMING OF HEADLIGHTS. *AK
THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN OCCUR WHEN IDLING BUT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE CHECKED THE PROBLEM AND PERFORMED ALL APPLICABLE TSBS AND REPLACED THE BCM WITH NO DIFFERENCE IN THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WILL DIM ENO…
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THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN OCCUR WHEN IDLING BUT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE CHECKED THE PROBLEM AND PERFORMED ALL APPLICABLE TSBS AND REPLACED THE BCM WITH NO DIFFERENCE IN THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WILL DIM ENOUGH THAT WHEN DRIVING ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS I AM NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE EDGES OF THE ROAD. TECH SUPPORT CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. *JB
2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER CUSTOMER STATED WHILE LEAVING PULLING OUT OF DRIVE THE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN AND THE INDICATOR DID NOT COME ON**NAR**CC *JB
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.