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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 →

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.

59 crash reports25 fire reports41 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,466 reports
150,000 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AND ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET BLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AND ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ALSO ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10785911

50,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiper

FUEL GAGE IS NOT SHOWING THE FUEL LEVEL , SO IT LOOKS LIKE ITS EMPTY ALL THE TIME AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND ON WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

NHTSA ODI #10783524

152,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND THE HEADLIGHTS RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE AP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND THE HEADLIGHTS RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

NHTSA ODI #10780979

108,000 miles · Oct 8, 2015
Electrical System

FUEL GUAGE IS NOT ACCURATE. WHEN THE TANK IS FULL THE GUAGE REGISTERS EMPTY.

NHTSA ODI #10780729

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2015
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. VERY SCARY

NHTSA ODI #10779563

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2015
Electrical System

I HAVE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH MY TRAILBLAZER. JUST TODAY MY A/C QUIT BLOWING. I'VE HAD ENOUGH SO DECIDED TO RESEARCH ONLINE. GLAD I DID BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THERE REALLY IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. FIRST OFF I MY GAUGES(ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING FUEL GAUGE) STARTED TO ACT UP. SOMETIMES THEY WORKED AND OTHER TIMES THEY WERE WA…

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I HAVE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH MY TRAILBLAZER. JUST TODAY MY A/C QUIT BLOWING. I'VE HAD ENOUGH SO DECIDED TO RESEARCH ONLINE. GLAD I DID BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THERE REALLY IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. FIRST OFF I MY GAUGES(ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING FUEL GAUGE) STARTED TO ACT UP. SOMETIMES THEY WORKED AND OTHER TIMES THEY WERE WAY OFF OR JUST HANGING. THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORK AT ALL. THIS ALL STARTED YEARS AGO. I HAVE JUST LIVED WITH IT AS I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THEM. MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. ALSO SOMETHING I HAVE JUST LIVED WITH AS I DON'T DO TOO MUCH NIGHT TIME DRIVING. NOW THAT MY A/C IS NOT BLOWING I WILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, AND AM NOT GOING TO ALLOW MY DAUGHTER AND I TO SWEAT EVERYDAY BACK AND FORTH FROM WORK AND SCHOOL TO HOME. THIS SUCKS!!! THEY REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE CONNECTIONS GETTING SO HOT THEY BURN UP.

NHTSA ODI #10773853

131,500 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM LIGHTING WAS OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AT 2030. IT DID NOT COME ON WHILE DRIVING (20 MINUTES) SO I HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. I DID CHECK MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10763778

132,000 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ABRUPTLY INTO SECOND GEAR, AND FROM SECOND GEAR INTO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FIRST AND SECOND SHIFT SENSOR IN THE TR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ABRUPTLY INTO SECOND GEAR, AND FROM SECOND GEAR INTO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FIRST AND SECOND SHIFT SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED, AND THE SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT SENSOR WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #10763201

131,500 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Exterior Lighting

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT AT DARK AND MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING. AFTER EXITING THE PARKING LOT TO THE ROAD, I NOTE THAT THE LOW BEAMS WERE OUT. I THEN HAD TO DRIVE THROUGH TOWN ON THE BUSIEST ROADS WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2100 AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70'S.

NHTSA ODI #10762042

131,000 miles · Aug 28, 2015
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AFTER DARK, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS CONTINUED TO WORK. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR SOME TIME. THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS LEFT PARKED OVERNIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10759980

Official recalls

2

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

2

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

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.