THE NUMBERS ON THE SELECTION FOR THE RADIO AND CD PAINT HAS PEELED OFF AND I HAD THE RADIO REPLACED ONCE. *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 reportsI HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR OVER 4 YEARS TO ONSTAR AND GM THAT I HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING UPON STOPPING AT GOING. I HAVE CALLED ONSTAR AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY SUV. I HAVE ALSO SAW A ENGINE LIGHT FLASH, CALLED ONSTAR AND NOTHING WAS SHOWING WRONG. TODAY, MY VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT AND…
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I HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR OVER 4 YEARS TO ONSTAR AND GM THAT I HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING UPON STOPPING AT GOING. I HAVE CALLED ONSTAR AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY SUV. I HAVE ALSO SAW A ENGINE LIGHT FLASH, CALLED ONSTAR AND NOTHING WAS SHOWING WRONG. TODAY, MY VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS INFORMED BY ONSTART THAT THE GENERATOR/ALTERNATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 58K MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED IN HIS VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE RESISTANCE PIG TAIL (WIRING HARNESS), THE FUEL PUMP MODULE, AND THE CLUTCH ALSO FAILED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED IN HIS VEHICLE AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE RESISTANCE PIG TAIL (WIRING HARNESS), THE FUEL PUMP MODULE, AND THE CLUTCH ALSO FAILED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. 4/01/09 *NJ THE WATER PUMP, PULLEY AND SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/09/09. *JB
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. IT STARTED OUT 4 MONTHS AGO. FIRST IT WOULD STICK, THEN FREE ITSELF AND WORK FINE. NOW IT JUST STAYS AT ZERO. I LIVE IN MONTANA, AND WE HAVE MANY DIRT ROADS. I WAS DRIVING ALONG ONE DIRT ROAD LAST MONTH, AND I THOUGHT I WAS DRIVING AT A SAFE SPEED. A TURN CAME IN THE ROAD, AS I APPROACHED THE T…
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SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. IT STARTED OUT 4 MONTHS AGO. FIRST IT WOULD STICK, THEN FREE ITSELF AND WORK FINE. NOW IT JUST STAYS AT ZERO. I LIVE IN MONTANA, AND WE HAVE MANY DIRT ROADS. I WAS DRIVING ALONG ONE DIRT ROAD LAST MONTH, AND I THOUGHT I WAS DRIVING AT A SAFE SPEED. A TURN CAME IN THE ROAD, AS I APPROACHED THE TURN, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL, I ALMOST FLIPPED AND ROLLED DOWN THE HILL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO CORRECT AND CONTINUE ON. *TR
BOUGHT 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IN MARCH 2008. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE SPEEDOMETER ACTING UP. I WOULD BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD JUST STARTING DECLINING. ONCE I STOPPED AN PUT INTO TO PARK IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES AND THEN TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL I WAS GOING MAYBE 30M…
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BOUGHT 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IN MARCH 2008. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE SPEEDOMETER ACTING UP. I WOULD BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD JUST STARTING DECLINING. ONCE I STOPPED AN PUT INTO TO PARK IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES AND THEN TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL I WAS GOING MAYBE 30MPH, JUST PULLED OUT OF DRIVE WAY AND IT SAID I WAS GOING 110 MPH. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE AND TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU ARE LOOKING AT $400-$600. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE LAST FAILURE WAS THE CONTACT'S LIABILITY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE LAST FAILURE WAS THE CONTACT'S LIABILITY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PINCHED WIRE ISSUE WITH THAT PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE THAT COULD AFFECT OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 48 HOURS. THE DEALER FOUND WIRING IN A DIFFERENT AREA THAT FAILED AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IN ADDITION, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WIRING WOULD NOT CAUSE THAT PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE VIN WAS PROVIDED, BUT WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SYSTEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 43,000.
FUEL GAUGE ON OUR 2005 TRAIL BLAZER STOPPED WORKING. THIS CAR WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. JUST IN SIMPLE TALKING I KNOW 6 DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL THAT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SOUND AS IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR
THE FUEL HAND HAS QUIT WORKING, IT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2007, AND IT IS TO EXPENSIVE TO FIX IT AND I KNOW OF THREE OTHER PEOPLES WHO'S VEHICLES ARE DOING THE SAME THING AND THEY ARE THE SAME YEAR MODEL AS MINE ALTHOUGH SOME ARE GMCS ENVOYS AND SOME ARE CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THE SPEEDOMETER WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT SAYS I AM GOING 110 MPH. I KNOW I CAN'T BE GOING THAT FAST WHEN I AM CREEPING DOWN THE ROAD. I ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST OVER 500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED THIS ISSUE TO BE SOLVED A…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THE SPEEDOMETER WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT SAYS I AM GOING 110 MPH. I KNOW I CAN'T BE GOING THAT FAST WHEN I AM CREEPING DOWN THE ROAD. I ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST OVER 500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED THIS ISSUE TO BE SOLVED AND THINK IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT CHEVY HAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO MYSELF AND OTHER DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT ON MY TRAILBLAZER. IT STARTED WHERE IT WAS 10 MILES AN HOUR FASTER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LEFT IT FOR A FEW HOURS. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON AND DROVE IT HAD FIXED ITS SELF. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PAST AND IT STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN. NO CONSISTENCY OF SPEEDS. NOW IT WONT WORK AT ALL. …
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THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT ON MY TRAILBLAZER. IT STARTED WHERE IT WAS 10 MILES AN HOUR FASTER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LEFT IT FOR A FEW HOURS. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON AND DROVE IT HAD FIXED ITS SELF. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PAST AND IT STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN. NO CONSISTENCY OF SPEEDS. NOW IT WONT WORK AT ALL. IT WILL EVEN MAKE COMPLETE TURNS AND STOP WHERE THERE IS NO NUMBERS. SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. *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.
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