IllustrationLIGHTS GO OUT/DIM WHILE DRIVING. NO ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL ITEMS IN USE-HEATER, AC, GPS, RADIO, CIGARETTE LIGHTER. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED OR CAUSED BY SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION. FULE TANK WILL SOMETIMES REGISTER EMPTY WHILE MOSTLY FULL. DO NOT NOTICE PROBLEM DURING DAYLIGHT DRIVING.
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 reportsI NOTICED MY BATTERY GUAGE QUIT. THEN AFTER STARTING MY TRUCK A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES, THE GAS GUAGE READ DIFFERENTLY. THEN MY SPEEDOMETER WDULD STICK ON 100 WHEN I WAS DOING APPROXIMATLY 60. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON IT. MY FRIEND HAS A 2005 ALSO AND HER CLUSTER PANNEL WENT OUT …
Read full complaint
I NOTICED MY BATTERY GUAGE QUIT. THEN AFTER STARTING MY TRUCK A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES, THE GAS GUAGE READ DIFFERENTLY. THEN MY SPEEDOMETER WDULD STICK ON 100 WHEN I WAS DOING APPROXIMATLY 60. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON IT. MY FRIEND HAS A 2005 ALSO AND HER CLUSTER PANNEL WENT OUT TOO. ITS A 400.00 REPAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZERS FROM WHAT IVE READ ONLINE. COME ON GENERAL MOTORS. YOU NEED TO RECALL THESE MODELS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SWITCH FOR THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF, THE POWER LOCK SWITCH WAS ENGAGED AND THE WINDOWS CLOSED BUT FAILED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SWITCH FOR THE WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF, THE POWER LOCK SWITCH WAS ENGAGED AND THE WINDOWS CLOSED BUT FAILED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V248000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
THE AIRBAGS WILL SHOW THAT THEY'RE NOT ENABLED EVEN WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT.THEN IT WOULD COME ON AS BEING ON BUT NO PASSENGER IN SEAT. A LOT OF SENSORS HAVE POPPED UP IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, ON TOP OF THAT THE CAR KINDA SHUT DOWN ON ME AND STARTED GOING 10 MILES PER HOUR, AS I WAS GOING OUT IN TRAFFIC.
DASH CONTROLS AND READINGS ALL GO OUT. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT SHOW SPEED. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. *TR
THE HEADLIGHTS WORK THEN SHUT OFF. (ON THE WAY TO WORK IN A DOWNPOUR, NO LESS) DASHBOARD LIGHTS PARTIALLY WORKING. (IF I GO OVER 40 MPG CAN'T TELL WHAT MY SPEED IS) WAS WORKING CORRECTLY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW NOTHING. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND THERE ARE RECALLS FOR 2006-20XX (NHTSA 14V755000 ) JUST WONDERING, AFTER FINDIN…
Read full complaint
THE HEADLIGHTS WORK THEN SHUT OFF. (ON THE WAY TO WORK IN A DOWNPOUR, NO LESS) DASHBOARD LIGHTS PARTIALLY WORKING. (IF I GO OVER 40 MPG CAN'T TELL WHAT MY SPEED IS) WAS WORKING CORRECTLY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW NOTHING. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND THERE ARE RECALLS FOR 2006-20XX (NHTSA 14V755000 ) JUST WONDERING, AFTER FINDING ON THE INTERNET, NUMEROUS 2005 OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM, WHY THIS MODEL WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS? I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM OF THE 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THANK YOU *TR
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 15MPH THROUGH A BOAT YARD WITH MY HEATER ON HIGH (5) I SMELLED A HOT METALLIC ODOR, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST FROM SOME WELDING BE DONE ON A STEEL BOAT. THEN MY HEATER QUIT. I TURNED IT DOWN TO 3 OR 4 AND IT RAN A LITTLE LONGER AND QUIT COMPLETELY. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED ON A TRAILBLAZER WEBSITE TO FIND IN…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 15MPH THROUGH A BOAT YARD WITH MY HEATER ON HIGH (5) I SMELLED A HOT METALLIC ODOR, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST FROM SOME WELDING BE DONE ON A STEEL BOAT. THEN MY HEATER QUIT. I TURNED IT DOWN TO 3 OR 4 AND IT RAN A LITTLE LONGER AND QUIT COMPLETELY. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED ON A TRAILBLAZER WEBSITE TO FIND INFORMATION AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER RESISTOR SPEED CONTROL UNIT WAS A COMMON CAUSE OF THIS TYPE FAILURE. UPON REMOVING THIS RESISTOR PACK I FOUND THE PLASTIC PLUG CONNECTION ON IT HAD GOTTEN SO HOT THAT IT MELTED AND FUSED THE PLUG IN THE SOCKET. WHEN I DID FINALLY GET IT APART I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE CONNECTOR PINS HAD BURNED COMPLETELY OFF. INSULATION ON THREE OR FOUR WIRES HAD ALSO BEEN BURNED. LUCKILY THERE HAD BEEN NO MAJOR FIRE. *TR
THE ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON EVEN AFTER I HAD A TUNE UP. I HAD DIAGNOSTICS DONE AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF FUEL MISFIRE. TWO WINTERS STRAIGHT I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING LINES BURSTING AND REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS, MOST OF THE TIME IT JUST STAYS AT ZERO. IF GM USES A LOT OF THE SAME P…
Read full complaint
THE ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON EVEN AFTER I HAD A TUNE UP. I HAD DIAGNOSTICS DONE AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF FUEL MISFIRE. TWO WINTERS STRAIGHT I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING LINES BURSTING AND REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS, MOST OF THE TIME IT JUST STAYS AT ZERO. IF GM USES A LOT OF THE SAME PARTS TO MAKE MULTIPLE MODELS WHY HAS THE 2005 TRAILBLAZER NOT BEEN RECALLED? I WAS TOLD THE GM ENVOY HAS THE SAME ENGINE AND OTHER INNER WORKINGS AS MY TRAILBLAZER SO WHY WOULDN'T THEIR RECALLS APPLY TO MY VEHICLE ESPECIALLY IF I MAY BE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR
DROVE TO AN APPOINTMENT, WHEN CAME OUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CALLED FOR TOW. AFTER APPROX. 30 MINS. AND BEFORE TOW ARRIVED, VEHICLE STARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND MADE APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING TO SHOP FOR SERVICE ENGINE DIED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. MANAGED TO GET OFF ROAD AND VEHICLE WOULD N…
Read full complaint
DROVE TO AN APPOINTMENT, WHEN CAME OUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CALLED FOR TOW. AFTER APPROX. 30 MINS. AND BEFORE TOW ARRIVED, VEHICLE STARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND MADE APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING TO SHOP FOR SERVICE ENGINE DIED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. MANAGED TO GET OFF ROAD AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO SHOP. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 6/1/2014. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO SHOP. A SECOND IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. CONTACTED CHEVROLET TO INQUIRE WHY 2005 TRAILBLAZER NOT INCLUDED IN IGNITION SWITCH RECALLS AND SEEK POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT OF SERVICE COSTS FOR RECURRING PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT NHTSA AND REPORT. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY CAR STARTED NOT WORKING A WEEK AGO.. IT WOULD SAY I WAS GOING 70 AND IN REALITY I WAS ONLY GOING 55. NOW IT STARTS OUT AT 110MPH WHEN I START DRIVING....MAKING IT REALLY DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW FAST/SLOW I AM GOING. I HAVE READ MANY ARTICLES OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *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.