IllustrationREQUESTS THAT NHTSA OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PERFORMANCE/RELIABILITY OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD RESULT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, STALL, AND BEING REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. *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, Other complaints
95 reportsI HAVE A 2005 TRAILBLAZER LS. MY FUEL GUAGE IS READING INCURRECTLY, DESPITE FILLING MY TANK FULL WITH GAS THE DIAL GOES BACK TO EMPTY. THE DIAL ON THE GUAGE MOVES SOME TIMES BUT MOSTLY EITHER REMAINS ON EMPTY AND NEVERS READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHILE I HAD MY EXTENDED WARRA…
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I HAVE A 2005 TRAILBLAZER LS. MY FUEL GUAGE IS READING INCURRECTLY, DESPITE FILLING MY TANK FULL WITH GAS THE DIAL GOES BACK TO EMPTY. THE DIAL ON THE GUAGE MOVES SOME TIMES BUT MOSTLY EITHER REMAINS ON EMPTY AND NEVERS READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHILE I HAD MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, NOT TO MENTION MY FRIEND HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HER TRAILBLAZER AND GAVE THE WHOLE TRUCK BACK. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE FAMILY AND THE LAST THING I NEED TO HAPPEN IS TO RUN OUT OF GAS BECAUSE I CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY TRUCK *CN
ON 3-18-2010 WE PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FROM A DEALERSHIP. UPON DRIVING IT HOME, WE NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS ALMOST TO EMPTY. WITHIN A FEW MILES THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON. WE STOPPED AND GOT GAS BUT THE TANK WAS NOT EMPTY. THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUES TO "BOUNCE" AROUND FROM FULL TO EMPTY MANY TIMES DURING REGULAR DRIVING. TH…
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ON 3-18-2010 WE PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FROM A DEALERSHIP. UPON DRIVING IT HOME, WE NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS ALMOST TO EMPTY. WITHIN A FEW MILES THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON. WE STOPPED AND GOT GAS BUT THE TANK WAS NOT EMPTY. THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUES TO "BOUNCE" AROUND FROM FULL TO EMPTY MANY TIMES DURING REGULAR DRIVING. THIS OBVIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND STOP LETTING CONSUMERS PAY $600-$1000 TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH THE PART.
2005 TRAILBLAZER ALTERNATOR VOLTAGE DIPS ALOT AS YOU DRIVE. RADIO DOES NOT WORK UNLESS IT IS 100DEG, THEN ONLY ONE SPEAKER WORKS. GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER I FILLED UP. IGNITION IS VERY HARD TO TURN, YOU HAVE TO KEEP INSERTING AND REMOVING KEY UNTIL IT FREES ITSELF. *TR
MY GAS GAUGE STOP WORKING IN MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER, GAS LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN FILLING UP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AND OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY OR A READING LEVEL CLOSE TO EMPTY. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE FAILURE FLUCTUATED AT ANY GIVEN SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AND OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY OR A READING LEVEL CLOSE TO EMPTY. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE FAILURE FLUCTUATED AT ANY GIVEN SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,425.
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). YESTERDAY I FILED A REPORT #10316373 TO AMEND A REPORT I SENT IN TO ADD MY VIN NUMBER. I SUBMITTED THE WRONG VIN NUMBER. THE NUMBER I SENT IN WAS ON A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER. I AM SENDING A NEW REPORT WITH THE PROPER VIN NUMBER. SORRY FOR T…
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). YESTERDAY I FILED A REPORT #10316373 TO AMEND A REPORT I SENT IN TO ADD MY VIN NUMBER. I SUBMITTED THE WRONG VIN NUMBER. THE NUMBER I SENT IN WAS ON A 1998 CHEVY BLAZER. I AM SENDING A NEW REPORT WITH THE PROPER VIN NUMBER. SORRY FOR THE ERROR I SUBMITTED.[XXX] *TR
2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FUEL GAUGE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND FUEL GAUGE IS STUCK AT E. THE ISSUE OCCURRED AROUND 65K MILES AND IS STILL OCCURRING TODAY WITH AUTOMOBILE AT 75K. *TR
I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN ON I-10 WHEN I RAN OUT OF GAS AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI. MY GAS GAUGE DIDN'T REGISTER EMPTY. I TOOK MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER TO GATEWAY CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND WOULD COST ME $525.00 TO REPLACE. I NOW PERSONALLY KNOW OF 3 OTHER CHEVYS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, 2 TR…
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I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN ON I-10 WHEN I RAN OUT OF GAS AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI. MY GAS GAUGE DIDN'T REGISTER EMPTY. I TOOK MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER TO GATEWAY CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND WOULD COST ME $525.00 TO REPLACE. I NOW PERSONALLY KNOW OF 3 OTHER CHEVYS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, 2 TRAILBLAZERS AND 1 ENVOY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I'M SEEING, I'M FAR FROM BEING ONE OF FEW THIS IS HAPPENING TO. FROM THE QUESTIONS I SEE BELOW I WONDER IF PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED OR HARMED BEFORE ANYONE TAKES A LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM? *TR
FUEL LEVEL READS INCORRECT AS WELL AS OIL LEVEL. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THE FUEL SENSOR AND OIL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS TO IMPROPER READINGS AND CARS STALLING. *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.