IllustrationMY HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS TO SEE ANYTHING. LOOKED ONLINE SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE YET NO RECALLS WHEN ENTERING MY VIN. THANK YOU.
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
950–25K
18325–50K
37350–75K
28875–100K
224100–150K
57150K+
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 reportsSINCE THE PURCHASE MY TB ENGINE WILL STOP WHEN AC AND HEATER IS ON ON STOP LIGHT, THAT IT WAS DELAYING WHILE DRIVING. IT GOT WORSE AFTER "WARRANTY WAS OUT, I BELIEVE IN JULY 2007.NO ONE CAN FIND THE CAUSE, BUT THINKING ITS ALL SYSTEM FAULTY., ENGINE, ELECTRONICS, FANS. COULD I AFFORD A NEW CAR, I WOULD NOT KEEP THIS CAR, AS NOW…
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SINCE THE PURCHASE MY TB ENGINE WILL STOP WHEN AC AND HEATER IS ON ON STOP LIGHT, THAT IT WAS DELAYING WHILE DRIVING. IT GOT WORSE AFTER "WARRANTY WAS OUT, I BELIEVE IN JULY 2007.NO ONE CAN FIND THE CAUSE, BUT THINKING ITS ALL SYSTEM FAULTY., ENGINE, ELECTRONICS, FANS. COULD I AFFORD A NEW CAR, I WOULD NOT KEEP THIS CAR, AS NOW I KNOW IT WAS THE WORSE YEAR MAKING OF ALL. NOW I ONLY PRAY TO STAY ALIVE WHILE DRIVING AND NOT GET INTO SOME BEYOND MY CONTROL BUT FAULTY GM MODEL MAKERS
MY GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS STOPPED WORKING. FIRST, ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY TAC AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE TEMP GAUGE. NOW, LAST WEEK MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED.
MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING MY GAS GAIGE STOPPED WORKING AND MY ODOMETER WENT OUT CANT SEE THE MILELAGE AND I DONT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TAKE,AND THE SPEED IS MOT WORKING.I REMEMBER A RECALL AWHILE AGO IF YOU HAD THE PROBLEM THEY SAID AND I DIDNT AT THAT TIME I THINK IT WAS 2011
THE GAS GAUGE STAYS ON EMPTY EVERY ONCE INAWHILE IT WILL MOVE BUT GOES RIGHT BACK TO E
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED TO 20 MPH AND JERKED ABRUPTLY. IN ADDITION, THE REDUCED ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED TO 20 MPH AND JERKED ABRUPTLY. IN ADDITION, THE REDUCED ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND THE RELAY SWITCH. THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN WILL GO OUT AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WILL WORK ONCE IN A WHILE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW …
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MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND THE RELAY SWITCH. THEY WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN WILL GO OUT AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WILL WORK ONCE IN A WHILE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A FEW YEARS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET MY LIGHTS BACK ON AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE 2005 SEEMS TO BIG A BIG ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. THE DATE I SELECTED BELOW FOR WHEN THIS HAPPENED IS THE MOST RECENT.
WHEN YOU TURN THE HEAT OR AIR ON HIGH THE RED WIRE ON THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR GETS HOT AND MELTS AND I HAVE 2 LITTLE GIRLS THAT RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS ISN'T NORMAL
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE TANK IS FILLED FULL BUT IT WILL ALWAYS READ EMPTY. I ALREADY HAVE A REFURBISHED CLUSTER SO IT WILL NOT BE THE CLUSTER'S FAULT. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR TO BE FIXED TO AVOID ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD.
I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK AND MY AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. I PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO GET THEM BACK ON. I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH TWO TRACTOR TRAILORS TO MY RIGHT AND TRAFFIC TO MY LEFT. SUDDENLY IT WENT DARK. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I GOT AROUND THE TRUCKS AND PULLED IN…
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I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK AND MY AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. I PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO GET THEM BACK ON. I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH TWO TRACTOR TRAILORS TO MY RIGHT AND TRAFFIC TO MY LEFT. SUDDENLY IT WENT DARK. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I GOT AROUND THE TRUCKS AND PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. BEFORE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEY TURNED ON AND STAYED ON. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IN THE DARK A LONG DISTANCE UNTIL THE OTHER NIGHT. MY HEADLIGHTS MAY HAVE BEEN TURNING OFF AND ON IN THE DAYLIGHT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I CHECKED AND THERE WASN'T ANY OPEN RECALLS. ALTHOUGH THE 2006 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER HAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING.
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.