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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.

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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
90,000 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WENT OUT. CAR COMPLETELY DIED. IT'S AN $1,100 FIX AND I'VE BEEN HEARING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRAILBLAZER. NO NOTED RECALL YET. WANTED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477053

122,000 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN HE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AN AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN HE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AN AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 10/31/12 *BF UPDATED 11/02/12

NHTSA ODI #10477042

41,038 miles · Sep 22, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

I WENT TO GAS STATION AND FILLED UP MY GAS TANK. WHEN I LEFT THE GAS STATION, MY FUEL LIGHT WAS ON SHOWING MY GAS TANK WAS EMPTY. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, THE GAS GAGE WOULD GO UP AND DOWN AND NOT SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS. NOW, IT ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY WITH THE GAS LIGHT ON. THIS IS AN ISSUE NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HA…

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I WENT TO GAS STATION AND FILLED UP MY GAS TANK. WHEN I LEFT THE GAS STATION, MY FUEL LIGHT WAS ON SHOWING MY GAS TANK WAS EMPTY. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, THE GAS GAGE WOULD GO UP AND DOWN AND NOT SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS. NOW, IT ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY WITH THE GAS LIGHT ON. THIS IS AN ISSUE NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AT ANY TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476731

140,000 miles · Sep 21, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE BLOWER/FAN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER STOPPED WORKING. IT FIRST BEGAN WITH #4 AND #5 ON THE FAN SELECTOR SWITCH NOT WORKING, BUT THEN IT STOPPED ALTOGETHER. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS BLOWER MOTOR PROBLEM IS VERY POPULAR AMONGST THESE VEHICLES. ALSO, THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASH HASN'T WORKED IN ABOUT 3 YEARS. AFTER DOIN…

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THE BLOWER/FAN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER STOPPED WORKING. IT FIRST BEGAN WITH #4 AND #5 ON THE FAN SELECTOR SWITCH NOT WORKING, BUT THEN IT STOPPED ALTOGETHER. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS BLOWER MOTOR PROBLEM IS VERY POPULAR AMONGST THESE VEHICLES. ALSO, THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASH HASN'T WORKED IN ABOUT 3 YEARS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK. AGAIN, THIS IS VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITHIN THE TRAILBLAZER COMMUNITY. I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $774 FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR TO BE FIXED AND $600 FOR THE FUEL GAUGE TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476650

90,000 miles · Sep 21, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL SENSOR DOES NOT WORK ! AFTER FILLING GAS TANK COMPLETELY, FUEL GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY. GAUGE CAN SOMETIMES READ UP TO HALF, THEN DROPS TO A QUARTER, THEN JUST DROPS TO EMPTY WHENEVER IT PLEASES. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS VERY "TWITCHY". I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THESE SAME EXACT ISSUES AND…

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FUEL SENSOR DOES NOT WORK ! AFTER FILLING GAS TANK COMPLETELY, FUEL GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY. GAUGE CAN SOMETIMES READ UP TO HALF, THEN DROPS TO A QUARTER, THEN JUST DROPS TO EMPTY WHENEVER IT PLEASES. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS VERY "TWITCHY". I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THESE SAME EXACT ISSUES AND FEEL THAT A FULL RECALL IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476625

118,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN HE CRASHED AGAINST THE STREET MEDIAN, A UTILITY POLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LESIONS TO THE FACE, A CONTUSION TO THE RIGHT EYE AND CONTUSIONS TO TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN HE CRASHED AGAINST THE STREET MEDIAN, A UTILITY POLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LESIONS TO THE FACE, A CONTUSION TO THE RIGHT EYE AND CONTUSIONS TO THE CHEST AND LOWER ABDOMEN AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED HOWEVER, THE FINDINGS WERE NOT DISCLOSED TO CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475331

132,000 miles · Sep 12, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

DOOR LOCKS REPEATEDLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, THEN CASCADING FAILURES, ANTI-LOCK LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, OTHER WARNING LIGHTS. ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND WOULD NOT MAKE POWER, ENGINE QUIT. NOTE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR READ INCORRECTLY. DISCONNECTED BATTERY, AND RECONNECTED, ENGINE STARTED GOT ME HOME. THREE OCCURRENCES THAT T…

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DOOR LOCKS REPEATEDLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, THEN CASCADING FAILURES, ANTI-LOCK LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, OTHER WARNING LIGHTS. ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND WOULD NOT MAKE POWER, ENGINE QUIT. NOTE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR READ INCORRECTLY. DISCONNECTED BATTERY, AND RECONNECTED, ENGINE STARTED GOT ME HOME. THREE OCCURRENCES THAT THE ENGINE JUST QUITS. IT WILL RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HAD ANOTHER OCCURRENCE, MECHANIC FOUND A CODE INDICATING THE ECM MAY BE BAD. HE TELLS ME THIS SHOULD HAVE NOTING TO DO WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE DOOR LOCKS LATCH AND UNLATCH, UNCOMMANDED. ENGINE STOPS WHEN UNDER POWER. MECHANIC HAS NO COURSE OF ACTION AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475137

118,000 miles · Sep 11, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

GAS GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY RESULTING IN CAR STALL. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY - WILL START OUT ANYWHERE FROM 5 MPH TO 45 MPG OVER FROM STANDSTILL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475114

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2012
Electrical System

MY 2005 TRAIL BLAZER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS GOING OUT IT STARTED WITH THE OIL GAUGE AND NOW ITS THE GAS GAUGE, I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT EVENTUALLY MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD STOP WORKING, IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I AM NOT AWARE OF HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE VEHICLE OR IF THE OIL PRESSURE IS HAVING AN ISSUE. THIS REPA…

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MY 2005 TRAIL BLAZER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS GOING OUT IT STARTED WITH THE OIL GAUGE AND NOW ITS THE GAS GAUGE, I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT EVENTUALLY MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD STOP WORKING, IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I AM NOT AWARE OF HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE VEHICLE OR IF THE OIL PRESSURE IS HAVING AN ISSUE. THIS REPAIR AT THE DEALERSHIP IS COSTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475083

91,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED WATER WOULD ENTERED THE DRIVER'S DOOR MODULE AND CAUSED THE POWER DOOR LOCK, POWER MIRROR, KEYLESS ENTRY, AND POWER WINDOWS TO MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V406000 (VISIBILITY:POWER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED WATER WOULD ENTERED THE DRIVER'S DOOR MODULE AND CAUSED THE POWER DOOR LOCK, POWER MIRROR, KEYLESS ENTRY, AND POWER WINDOWS TO MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V406000 (VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS) FOR THE 2006 MODEL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10474129

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.