IllustrationSTOPPED AT THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP UPON LEAVING THE GAS GAUGE WAS SHOWING EMPTY WITH THE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE LEVEL FINALLY WENT UP TO FULL. *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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
435 reportsI FILLED UP MY CHEVY WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 1/4 OF A TANK LEFT. I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT STILL SAID I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK. I PULLED OVER AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND SHUT OFF THE CAR, TURNED IT BACK ON, AND NOW IT WAS SHOWING EMPTY. SOMETIMES OUT OF NOWHERE IT WILL SHOW ME AT ABOUT JUST ABOVE EMPTY, EVEN IF …
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I FILLED UP MY CHEVY WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 1/4 OF A TANK LEFT. I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT STILL SAID I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK. I PULLED OVER AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND SHUT OFF THE CAR, TURNED IT BACK ON, AND NOW IT WAS SHOWING EMPTY. SOMETIMES OUT OF NOWHERE IT WILL SHOW ME AT ABOUT JUST ABOVE EMPTY, EVEN IF I HAVE JUST FILLED UP, BUT IT HAS ONLY DONE THIS A FEW TIMES. IT STAYS ON EMPTY WITH THE FUEL LIGHT ON AND I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. I KEEP TRACK ON MY TRIP-O-METER TO MAKE SURE I HAVE ENOUGH GAS BUT HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH I KEEP TRACK. *TR
FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. GAUGE DID NOT INDICT FUEL LEVEL ON MANY OCCASIONS, FINALLY FAILING COMPLETELY DURING SUMMER 2009. CAN CAUSE REAL PROBLEMS IF UNAWARE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND VEHICLE WERE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL IN HIGH TRAFFIC SITUATION SUCH AS ON THE FREEWAY. HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER TO NO AVAIL. *TR
DRIVING DOWN BUSY ROADWAY, FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED IN ABOUT 7 MONTHS BEEN USING ODOMETER TO ESTIMATE GAS USAGE. MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER RAN OUT OF GAS, ALMOST REARENDED. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ROADWAY IN A DANGEROUS CURVE. NEARLY RUN OVER BY PASSING VEHICLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN SO MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT CA…
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DRIVING DOWN BUSY ROADWAY, FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED IN ABOUT 7 MONTHS BEEN USING ODOMETER TO ESTIMATE GAS USAGE. MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER RAN OUT OF GAS, ALMOST REARENDED. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ROADWAY IN A DANGEROUS CURVE. NEARLY RUN OVER BY PASSING VEHICLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN SO MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT CAUSE ACCIDENT. CLOSE CALL. IMAGINE A WOMAN WITH KIDS IN THIS SITUATION. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THIS FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM ON THE TOPIX FORUMS WEBSITE. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK, THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE DROPPED PAST "E". IT RECOVERED SOMEWHAT AND A FEW DAYS LATER, BACK TO "E". THE NEEDLE ONLY SOMETIMES MOVES PAST "E", EVEN WHEN FULL, AND NEVER GOES MORE THAT THE 1/4 MARK. I'VE UNKNOWINGLY RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE. FIRST OCCASION I WAS ON A DARK ROADSIDE BUT HAD SOMEONE NEARBY TO H…
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AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK, THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE DROPPED PAST "E". IT RECOVERED SOMEWHAT AND A FEW DAYS LATER, BACK TO "E". THE NEEDLE ONLY SOMETIMES MOVES PAST "E", EVEN WHEN FULL, AND NEVER GOES MORE THAT THE 1/4 MARK. I'VE UNKNOWINGLY RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE. FIRST OCCASION I WAS ON A DARK ROADSIDE BUT HAD SOMEONE NEARBY TO HELP. THE MOST RECENT OCCASION I WAS ON A HIGHWAY, STALLED PARTIALLY IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS 5 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THE CLOSEST ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROVIDER WAS OVER AN HOUR AWAY. *TR
2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. FILLED CAR WITH GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY. NO WAY TO KNOW NOW WHEN I AM OUT OF GAS. CAR ALSO HAS A DISTINCT GAS SMELL. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVORLET TRAILBLAZER. I HAVE HAD BOTH SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING ON ME. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WILL BE AROUND $500 EACH TO BE FIXED! I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BY GM. 2005 MODELS HAVE THE WORSE OVERALL RATING WITH THESE 2 MALFUNCTIONS BE THE TOP 2 COMPLAINTS!*CW
FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT. WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY. GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY AFTER FILLING WITH 18 GALLONS OF FUEL. REPAIR COST OVER $500. *TR
THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER POINTS TO EMPTY EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. THERE IS NO WARNING INDICATOR THAT THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. TWO FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING FUEL. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 01/29/10.*LJ BOTH FUEL LINES HAD MULTIPLE PIN HOLE LEAKS. FUEL WAS LEAKING NEAR THE ENGINE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. TWO FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING FUEL. THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 01/29/10.*LJ BOTH FUEL LINES HAD MULTIPLE PIN HOLE LEAKS. FUEL WAS LEAKING NEAR THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BOTH AREAS WHERE EXTREME HEAT WAS PREVALENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. UPDATED 01/29/10.*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.