Illustration2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUEL LEVEL SENSOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE SENSOR RECALL AND THE MANIFOLD REPAIRS, *JS
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
435 reportsTHE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONS AFTER FILLING TANK - IT READS EMPTY IMMEDIATELY AND INTERMITTENTLY THEREAFTER AT ANY FUEL LEVEL. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR TRAVELING ANY LONG DISTANCE AS YOU ARE NOT QUITE SURE HOW MUCH FUEL IS AVAILABLE OR IF IT WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME DURING A DIFFICULT SITUATION. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY WANT T…
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THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONS AFTER FILLING TANK - IT READS EMPTY IMMEDIATELY AND INTERMITTENTLY THEREAFTER AT ANY FUEL LEVEL. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR TRAVELING ANY LONG DISTANCE AS YOU ARE NOT QUITE SURE HOW MUCH FUEL IS AVAILABLE OR IF IT WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME DURING A DIFFICULT SITUATION. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO CHECK IT AND THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS A PROBLEM FOR MULTIPLE MODELS TO GM. THIS IS VERY SCARY AS I TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO AND FROM WORK EACH DAY - I FEEL THAT THIS PUTS ME IN HARMS WAY. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD PAY TO A DEFECTIVE PART THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT BUT DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR
APPROXIMATELY 5 OR 6 MONTHS AGO I STARTED NOTICING WHEN I WOULD FILL MY TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER FULL. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR THAT WASN'T WORKING. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $600 FOR A NEW ONE. I COULDN'T AFFORD THAT, SO NOW I USE MY MILEAGE INDICATOR AS TO WHEN I …
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APPROXIMATELY 5 OR 6 MONTHS AGO I STARTED NOTICING WHEN I WOULD FILL MY TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER FULL. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR THAT WASN'T WORKING. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $600 FOR A NEW ONE. I COULDN'T AFFORD THAT, SO NOW I USE MY MILEAGE INDICATOR AS TO WHEN I FILL UP. *TR
MY TRAIL BLAZER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON WE CANNOT RESET IT. THE FULL GAUGE SAYS IT HAS MORE GAS THEN WHAT IT DOES, I HAVE TO GUESS TO AVOID RUNNING OUR OF GAS. SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING THEN IT FIXES ITS SELF. THE RADIO AND LIGHTS SOMETIMES STAY ON, AND KILLS MY BATTERY. *TR
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BATTERY CABLE, TANK LEVEL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BATTERY CABLE, TANK LEVEL SENSOR, CLUTCH FAN, SERPENTINE BELT, TIGHT OUTER TIE ROD, HOOD LATCH,WATER PUMP, WERE ALL REPLACED. ALSO, THE ROTORS WERE WARPED, DUE TO RUST BY CLIMATE, THE REAR BRAKES PADS WERE WORN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE MACHINED. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT SURGE AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE BLOWING OUT. THE TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DUE TO A FAULTY EMISSION VENT VALVE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY. THE ABS WAS ENGAGING, WHEN COMING TO A STOP. UPDATED 10/01/14
THE VEHICLE PRESENTED WITH ERROR ON READING THE SPEED ONE IS TRAVELING AT. FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NOT READING GAS CORRECTLY. *TR
MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2006, BUT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT MY FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE. IT SHOWED EMPTY, AND, THEN 1/4 TANK. THE REAR WIPE…
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MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2006, BUT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT MY FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE. IT SHOWED EMPTY, AND, THEN 1/4 TANK. THE REAR WIPER SWEEPS WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON. *TR
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I FELT MY TRUCK LOSE POWER A FEW TIMES WHILE SLOWING TO STOP AS WELL AS TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. MY FUEL TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY HALF FULL AND IT KEPT FEELING LIKE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT FINALLY KICKED …
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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I FELT MY TRUCK LOSE POWER A FEW TIMES WHILE SLOWING TO STOP AS WELL AS TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. MY FUEL TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY HALF FULL AND IT KEPT FEELING LIKE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT FINALLY KICKED IN AND I ALMOST RAN INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE I HEARD A "DING" FOLLOWED BY GAS EMPTY LIGHT INDICATOR. THE SUV WILL NOW NOT MOVE OFF OF "E" AND THE EMPTY LIGHT INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF EITHER. *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.