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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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101,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY, AND THE FUEL GAUGE WORKED FINE. A FEW WEEKS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONFUSED, AS THE GAS GAUGE READ 1/2 A TANK REMAINING, I CALLED A FRIEND TO COME PICK ME UP. HE PUT GAS IN THE TANK, AND IT STARTED UP FIRST TRY. I MADE IT TO A FUEL STATION, AND FILLED THE TANK. THE GAUG…

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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY, AND THE FUEL GAUGE WORKED FINE. A FEW WEEKS LATER, AS I WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONFUSED, AS THE GAS GAUGE READ 1/2 A TANK REMAINING, I CALLED A FRIEND TO COME PICK ME UP. HE PUT GAS IN THE TANK, AND IT STARTED UP FIRST TRY. I MADE IT TO A FUEL STATION, AND FILLED THE TANK. THE GAUGE READ HALF ALL THE WAY TO THE STATION, AND WHEN I FILLED IT, IT READ EMPTY FOR THE FIRST 40-50 MILES. THEN, THE NEEDLE FLOATED THE RANGE OF THE GAUGE. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS EVER SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400676

78,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN FUEL LEVELS, EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN FUEL LEVELS, EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLOAT AND FUEL TANK YET THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,562 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400629

55,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2005 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZERS FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 9-12 MONTHS AGO, IT IS TOTALLY INACCURATE AND NEVER READS PROPERLY, EVEN WHEN FULL. I READ IN THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400610

58,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAGE DROPS TO EMPTY IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING THE TANK. IT THEN READS EMPTY AND WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO UP TO 1/2 TANK AND BACK TO EMPTY. SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING AND THE TANK IS FULL IT WILL DING 3 TIMES AND FLASH A LOW FUEL WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400545

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL INDICATOR HASN'T WORKED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND IT HAS STALLED AND WOULD NOT START FOR A WHILE. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES IT DID START.

NHTSA ODI #10400530

57,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS GAUGE IN MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS STOPPED WORKING. IT BEGAN TO SHOW EMPTY AFTER FILLING MY TANK BUT THEN REGISTERING FULL ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER DRIVING. NOW IT ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY AND I HAVE TO RECORD MY MILEAGE TO KEEP TRACK OF MY GAS. I AM ALWAYS CONCERNED I MAY RUN OUT OF GAS IF I MISCALCULATE MY REMAINING GAS. …

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THE GAS GAUGE IN MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS STOPPED WORKING. IT BEGAN TO SHOW EMPTY AFTER FILLING MY TANK BUT THEN REGISTERING FULL ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER DRIVING. NOW IT ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY AND I HAVE TO RECORD MY MILEAGE TO KEEP TRACK OF MY GAS. I AM ALWAYS CONCERNED I MAY RUN OUT OF GAS IF I MISCALCULATE MY REMAINING GAS. I CAN'T TAKE MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER ON VACATION SINCE I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY VEHICLE. MY WIFE RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER WANTED ALMOST $800 DOLLARS AND TWO DAYS TO FIX THE GAS GAUGE. I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS SO I AM FORCED TO HOPE I WILL BE SAFE IN MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399931

50,540 miles · May 9, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SENSOR FAULT CAUSING FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR TO FAIL AND/OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND PER CURRENT ONGOING DEFECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS, ISSUE IS THE SAME AS INDICATED BY NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP10001 SPOKE WITH GM CUSTOMER COMPLAINT GROUP AND AT THE TIME OF THIS SUBMISSION WAS INFO…

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FUEL SENSOR FAULT CAUSING FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR TO FAIL AND/OR FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND PER CURRENT ONGOING DEFECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS, ISSUE IS THE SAME AS INDICATED BY NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP10001 SPOKE WITH GM CUSTOMER COMPLAINT GROUP AND AT THE TIME OF THIS SUBMISSION WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD RESPOND WITHIN 24 HOURS WITH AN OPTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399650

93,000 miles · May 7, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

GAS GAUGE ON VEHICLE DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE GAS LEVEL IN TANK. READINGS ON THE GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATE WITH VEHICLE IN PARK, GIVES EMPTY WARNING DING WHEN TANK IS FULL, AND READINGS ON GAUGE FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY AT TIMES WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. HAVE BEEN STUCK ON HIGHWAY WITH AN EMPTY FUEL TANK A COUPLE TIMES WITH MY THREE YO…

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GAS GAUGE ON VEHICLE DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE GAS LEVEL IN TANK. READINGS ON THE GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATE WITH VEHICLE IN PARK, GIVES EMPTY WARNING DING WHEN TANK IS FULL, AND READINGS ON GAUGE FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY AT TIMES WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. HAVE BEEN STUCK ON HIGHWAY WITH AN EMPTY FUEL TANK A COUPLE TIMES WITH MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A FIRE IN VEHICLE SO I NO LONGER PUT MY FAMILY IN IT.

NHTSA ODI #10400311

70,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS GAUGE NO LONGER DISPLAYS LEVEL OF FUEL IN VEHICLE -ALSO HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN CAR IS STARTED.. FUEL ENDING UNIT IS BELIEVED TO BE PROBLEM BY PROFESSIONALS REGARDING THE FUEL GAUGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399405

90,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK ACCURATELY. SHOWS FUEL WHEN ITS EMPTY . THE GAUGE NEVER SHOWS FULL WHEN TANK IS FILLED TO CAPACITY. PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND OLD PARTS ARE STILL ON HAND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399404

Official recalls

2

06V417000 · 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

2

RQ17002 · 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.