IllustrationSPEEDOMETER ON 2005 CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SAYS IM DOING 20 MPH WHEN IM STOPPED AND SAYS 120 WHEN GOING 50. *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
What owners actually said
1,466 reportsMY SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED ON MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT. IT STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN DEC.09 INTERMITTENTLY. NOW THE DEFECT SEEMS PERMANENT. MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP SAYS GM WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PROBLEM. I ESCALADES. WHY WAS THE TRAILBLAZER NOT INCLUDED WHEN THEY EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER …
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MY SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED ON MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT. IT STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN DEC.09 INTERMITTENTLY. NOW THE DEFECT SEEMS PERMANENT. MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP SAYS GM WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PROBLEM. I ESCALADES. WHY WAS THE TRAILBLAZER NOT INCLUDED WHEN THEY EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURES. IS IT BECAUSE IT IS TOO LARGE A PROBLEM TO DEAL WITH. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER IS INCORRECT. THERE ARE TOO MANY FAILURES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM DISREGARDED BY GM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR(ABOUT 5-600 DOLLARS).THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ARE SO GREAT THAT I FEEL GM IS DUCKING THE PROBLEM. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY GM NEEDED A GOVERNMENT BAILOUT BY MANUFACTURING VEHICLES HAVING SUCH A GRIEVOUS PROBLEM. INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS SUCH NOT BE FAILING AT SUCH A HORRENDOUS RATE. *TR
I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, HAVE OWN IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2005 AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS UP UNTIL RECENTLY. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. I WOULD NOT SHOW THE CORRECT SPEED IN WHICH I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, REALIZING THAT EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD…
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I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, HAVE OWN IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2005 AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS UP UNTIL RECENTLY. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. I WOULD NOT SHOW THE CORRECT SPEED IN WHICH I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, REALIZING THAT EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD SEEM LIKE THEY WERE PARKED ON THE HIGHWAY, AS I AM FLYING BY THEM IS WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY SPEEDOMETER/INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON MY TRAVEL TO A LOCATION AND BACK ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. I MANAGED TO FIGURE OUT THAT THE LONGER I HAD THE VEHICLE RUNNING THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR. IF I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT COOL DOWN IT WOULD BE FINE FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINS THAN ACT UP AGAIN. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS UNSAFE AND CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE HARM IN THE NEAR FUTURE IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED WITH OTHER OWNERS. LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS OR PULLED OVER. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER ON OUR 2005 TRAILBLAZER HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND NO LONGER READS THE CORRECT SPEED. THIS STARTED WITHOUT CAUSE AND CONSISTENTLY SHOWS THE SPEED AS 85 MPH OR HIGHER NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING. DRIVING A LARGE VEHICLE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TELL WHAT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING AT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS REGA…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ON OUR 2005 TRAILBLAZER HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND NO LONGER READS THE CORRECT SPEED. THIS STARTED WITHOUT CAUSE AND CONSISTENTLY SHOWS THE SPEED AS 85 MPH OR HIGHER NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING. DRIVING A LARGE VEHICLE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TELL WHAT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING AT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS REGARDLESS OF THE INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR TRAFFIC CITATIONS. *TR
2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY AND UP TO 120 MPH WHEN CAR IS ONLY GOING 40MPH. GAS GAUGE IS ALSO NOT WORKING ACCURATELY ALL THE TIME. STEPPER MOTOR'S NEED REPLACING AND GM WON'T RECALL IT AND FIX. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER STARTING GOING HIGHER WHILE I WAS SLOWING DOWN. IT WENT TO 120 MPH WHILE STOPPED. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 OR 70 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER DIPPED TO 35 MPH. THEN IT JUST STOPPED WORKING AFTER SEVERAL TIMES. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT. *TR
I HAVE AN 05 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. I WILL SIT AT 45/MPH OR SOMETHING ELSE WHEN I TURN IT OFF/ON. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 05 TRAILBLAZER IN 07. ABOUT A YEAR INTO IT I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE GAS HAND WOULD STOP WORKING. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER. ON MANY OCCASIONS THE SPEEDOMETER DOES WHAT EVER IT FEELS LIKE. GOD FORBID IM ON A LONG ROAD TRIP. *TR
WE BOUGHT A 2005 TRAILBLAZER ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. OUT OF THE BLUE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE. IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 60 MPH. WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING ABOUT 15 BECAUSE I WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND IT WAS SNOWING. A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, AND THEN TODAY IT JUST COMPLETELY STOPP…
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WE BOUGHT A 2005 TRAILBLAZER ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. OUT OF THE BLUE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE. IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 60 MPH. WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING ABOUT 15 BECAUSE I WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND IT WAS SNOWING. A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN, AND THEN TODAY IT JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. IT WONT MOVE AT ALL. ITS COMPLETELY BROKEN. *TR
SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS SEEM TO BLINK WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT. CHEVY IS WELL AWARE OF THESE PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY TRAILBLAZER 2005 ,THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIKE NOW! OR LIVES COULD BE IN DANGER DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THESE VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING. *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.