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 reports

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2008

Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WORKS YET THE OTHER TWO BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER TO HIGH BEAM AT NIGHT FOR NO REASON. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247938

60,000 miles · Nov 6, 2008

Electrical System

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2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER V6 LS SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CHEVY HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL ALTHOUGH THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. MY SPEEDOMETER OFTEN READS 0-40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE A 3 AND 1 YEAR OLD WHO ARE WITH ME EVERY DAY IN THIS VEHICLE. THE FUEL GAUGE HAS ALSO FAILED. I HAVE TO RELY ON MY TRIPOMETER TO KNOW WHEN TO REFUEL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO RUN OUT OF GAS WITH 2 YOUNG CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NEW ENGLAND WINTER AROUND THE CORNER. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND REQUIRE CHEVY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. WITH THE ECOMONY SO BAD, STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND THE $400+ MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR THIS VEHICLE THERE'S NO WAY I COULD AFFORD TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP FIX THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247889

57,000 miles · Oct 27, 2008

Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

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I HAVE AN 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER THAT THE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ARE FLASHING. THEY DIM AND THEN COME VERY BRIGHT AGAIN NON-STOP. THIS CAN NOT BE SAFE BECAUSE FOR SEVERAL INSTANCES THEY ARE SO DIM THAT YOU CAN'T SEE IN THE DARK. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND GM SAID IT WAS NORMAL WHEN THE FAN KICKS ON. WELL IT IS NOT NORMAL OR IS IT SAFE. I CAN NOT MANUALLY FLICK THE LIGHTS AS FAST AS THEY FLICKER WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND GM NEEDS TO FIND A FIX FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246806

64,685 miles · Oct 21, 2008

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS AND DASHLIGHTS FLICKER ERRATICALLY THAT IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE FLASHING YOUR LIGHTS AT ONCOMING MOTORISTS. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER MORE THAT SIX TIMES FOR THIS WITHOUT RESOLVE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL, AND THEY DON'T CARE IF WE GET KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246287

26,000 miles · Oct 21, 2008

Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES STARTED WHINING LOUDLY, THE LIGHTS FLICKER & THE HEATER TURNS ITSELF ON. A REPAIR SHOP SAID IT MAY NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR. OF COURSE, CHEVY ONLY PUT A 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON IT & THIS ALL STARTED HAPPENING 1 MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246199

46,000 miles · Oct 18, 2008

Electrical SystemSuspension

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT, AND I HAVE NOTICED THIS STRANGE SOUND LATELY WHEN I START IT UP AND IT GETS LOUDER AS YOU DRIVE IT. MY FATHER SAID THAT IT IS THE BEARINGS AND THE ALTERNATOR, SO I DECIDED TO LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND SAW MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I WAS TOLD TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON A SITE, AND WAS DIRECTED BY MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT HAPPY, AND I STILL OWE ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE WARRANTY IS CONVENIENTLY UP JUST AS THIS IS HAPPENING. I WANT THIS CORRECT, AND SOMEONE CONTACTED GM AND THEY STATED THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PUMP AND THE ELECTRICAL, WELL THEN THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND FIX IT FOR FREE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246006

25 miles · Oct 17, 2008

Electrical System

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WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, MY HEADLIGHT DIM/BRIGHTEN ON THEIR OWN. HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THAT GM WILL DO FOR ME, THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEAL THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR AND I HAVE SEVERAL WORK ORDERS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR IT. SO NOW, WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT, PEOPLE THINK I AM FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM. I HAVE EVEN GONE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY HEAR ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AND THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH SOME TYPE OF PROGRAMMING, BUT GM DOES NOT HAVE A FIX. THIS IS BECOMING DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245807

53,000 miles · Oct 13, 2008

Electrical SystemPower Train

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HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED (A WHOLE OTHER SICK STORY:( ). WHEN I GOT MY TRUCK BACK, SECOND DAY ON THE FREEWAY, THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO CLIMB EVEN THOUGH I WAS STAYING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I TWENT AROUND TO THE 100S. WHEN I GOT HOME IT SPUN STRAIGHT DOWN NOT STOPPING AT THE ZERO LIKE IT NORMALLY DID. TOOK IT BACK TO MECHANIC AT LEAST TWICE MAYBE 3 TIMES, HE DID SOMETHING THAT FIXED IT FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT THEN IT WOULD MESS UP AGAIN. AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, IT IS PARKED BUT SAYING IT'S AT 100+ MPH. READING OTHER PEOPLES SAME PROBLEM, IT WILL COST TOO MUCH FOR ME TO PAY THE DEALER TO FIX. I HAVE EVEN GOTTEN A SPEEDING TICKET BECAUSE OF THIS (MY FIRST IN 20 YEARS!)!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245261

80,000 miles · Oct 13, 2008

Fuel System, Gasoline

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I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD WITH THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTER FILLING MY TANK, WHEN I STARTED MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER THE GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. EVENTUALLY, THE NEEDLE DID MOVE TO WHERE I THINK IT WAS MAYBE AN ACCURATE READING. HOW ABOUT THE LUNGING FORWARD THE VEHICLE DOES WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHICH CAUSES A DANGER TO ANYONE POSSIBLE WALKING IN THE AREA. ALSO, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE JUST STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE OWNED NOTHING BUT CHEVROLET'S FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAVE I BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH ANY VEHICLE AS I AM WITH THIS ONE. OH YEAH AND I AM ALSO LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT WHICH I DON'T FEEL WARRANTS THESE MAJOR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245226

79,000 miles · Oct 13, 2008

Electrical System

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I OWN A 2005 TRAILBLAZER AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. CURRENTLY THE ISSUE I AM DEALING WITH IS THE SPEEDOMETER. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, MY SPEEDOMETER WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 30 MPH WENT ALL THE WAY AROUND PAST 120 MPH AND STUCK. FOLLOWING THAT, EVERY TIME I STARTED MY CAR, IT WOULD DECREASE 10 MPH UNTIL IT WENT BACK TO 0 MPH. IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE AND NOW I AM HAVING A PROBLEM AGAIN WITH THE NEEDLE SPUN ALL THE WAY AROUND AND DOES NOT MOVE WHEN I AM DRIVING. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MODEL AND FEEL THAT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, IT IS A GUESSING GAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245225

Official recalls

06V417000 · 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

RQ17002 · 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

Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System