THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IT IS NOW STUCK BELOW THE ZERO MARK, IN BETWEEN 0 AND 120. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 56,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE, AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. *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
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.
What owners actually said
1,466 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT DISPLAY THE ACCURATE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55736. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM INITIALLY HAPPENED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SET. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT DISPLAY THE ACCURATE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55736. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM INITIALLY HAPPENED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SET. THE SPEEDOMETER CLIMBED TO 110 MPH, NOT THE VEHICLE JUST THE SPEEDOMETER. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ERRATIC. OFTEN, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL REGISTER 90 MPH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER A CLUSTER WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS. ON ONE INSTANCE, HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH BUT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 90 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS. ON ONE INSTANCE, HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH BUT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 90 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO. HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.
I HAVE HAD MY WATER PUMP REPLACED TWICE IN THAT LAST 1.5 YEARS. THE FIRST TIME WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE NEXT TIME ABOUT 10 MONTH THE DEALERSHIP CLAIM IT DIDN'T WORK AGAIN. JUST TODAY 12/12 I WENT TO DRIVE TO WORK AFTER LETTING MY CAR WARM UP FOR 5 MINUTES I DECIDED TO TURN THE HEAT ON AND NOTHING CAME OUT NOW I HAVE TO…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD MY WATER PUMP REPLACED TWICE IN THAT LAST 1.5 YEARS. THE FIRST TIME WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE NEXT TIME ABOUT 10 MONTH THE DEALERSHIP CLAIM IT DIDN'T WORK AGAIN. JUST TODAY 12/12 I WENT TO DRIVE TO WORK AFTER LETTING MY CAR WARM UP FOR 5 MINUTES I DECIDED TO TURN THE HEAT ON AND NOTHING CAME OUT NOW I HAVE TO CALL AND SEE IF ANYONE CAN LOOK MY AUTO. WORSE BRAND NEW AUTO THAT I HAVE HAD. *TR
SPEEDOMETER IS BROKEN. JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT SPEEDOMETER HAS STOP WORKING. WHEN WE WERE DRIVING IT SUDDENLY WENT TO 120 MPH AND WERE ACTUALLY DRIVING 40 MPH. IT IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVING LIKE THAT! AN ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR OR POSSIBLY DEATH! TO THIS DATE IT IS STILL STUCK AT 120 MPH AND WORKS ERRATICALLY! I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2005 AND ONLY HAS 3…
Read full complaint
MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT SPEEDOMETER HAS STOP WORKING. WHEN WE WERE DRIVING IT SUDDENLY WENT TO 120 MPH AND WERE ACTUALLY DRIVING 40 MPH. IT IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVING LIKE THAT! AN ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR OR POSSIBLY DEATH! TO THIS DATE IT IS STILL STUCK AT 120 MPH AND WORKS ERRATICALLY! I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2005 AND ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES! THIS IS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEIR VEHICLES ARE SAFE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE NHTSA TO CONTACT GM FOR A FORMAL RECALL AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THANK YOU. *TR
EVERYTIME I FILL MY GAS TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE LIGHT AND SENSOR SHOW THAT MY TANK IS EMPTY. I HAVE READ OVER 250 POSTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TRAILBLAZER/TH8JI6TEPO3VRJI3D STATING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER GOING TO MY MECHANIC, I'M TOLD THIS WILL NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP / KIT......WHICH WILL RANGE FROM $800-$1…
Read full complaint
EVERYTIME I FILL MY GAS TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE LIGHT AND SENSOR SHOW THAT MY TANK IS EMPTY. I HAVE READ OVER 250 POSTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TRAILBLAZER/TH8JI6TEPO3VRJI3D STATING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER GOING TO MY MECHANIC, I'M TOLD THIS WILL NEED A NEW FUEL PUMP / KIT......WHICH WILL RANGE FROM $800-$1000 INSTALLED. *TR
SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING ON 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER - NO REASON IT QUIT. WENT COMPLETELY OFF OF THE GAUGE. *TR
MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER INSTRUMENT PANEL CONSTANTLY FAILS - THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE GAS GAUGE HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE ALREADY AND IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS POWER SURGES WHICH IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS THE CAR UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN CAUSING POWER SURGES…
Read full complaint
MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER INSTRUMENT PANEL CONSTANTLY FAILS - THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE GAS GAUGE HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE ALREADY AND IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS POWER SURGES WHICH IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS THE CAR UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN CAUSING POWER SURGES. THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. THE FOLLOWING ARE OTHER ISSUES WHICH THIS MODEL VEHICLE: STEREO CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE GAS CAP LIGHT, THE LIGHTS FLICKER ALSO. I OUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND WITH A CRACKED FRONT BUMPER WHICH THE DEALER DIDN'T FIX (DEALER STUCK A LITTLE BONDO ON AREA AND REPAINTED IT SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A NEW BUMPER WHEN I ACCEPTED THE CAR AFTER REPAIR. IT CRACKED IN A MATTER OF DAYS) AND I KNOW THIS WAS CAUSED DUE TO THE SURGES IN POWER. A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THE CHEVROLET SHOULD STAND BEHIND AND FIX. IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER. I HAVE CHECKED THE WEB AND HAVE READ MANY, MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. CHEVY OWNERS SHOULD FILL A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVROLET IF THEY DON'T DO A RECALL AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I EXPERIENCE A FENDER BENDER ACCIDENT WHEN MY VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP AND BUMPED ANOTHER CARS BACK BUMPER CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND AN INSURANCE CLAIM. I AM FED UP WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT. *TR LINDA VANAUKEN
SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION ON A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER,ERRATIC READINGS OR NO MOVEMENT AT ALL. REPLACE SPEEDSENSOR DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVED THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*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.
Illustration