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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
69,843 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Fuel System, Other

2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392497

36,000 miles · Mar 21, 2011
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

IN 2006 WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NORMAL. NOW WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL CUTOFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AND WILL THEN CUT BACK ON. IT CAN BE AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES OR 30 MINUTES. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK FINE WHEN THE "REGULAR" HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT. FOR THE PAST 2…

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IN 2006 WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NORMAL. NOW WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL CUTOFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AND WILL THEN CUT BACK ON. IT CAN BE AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES OR 30 MINUTES. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK FINE WHEN THE "REGULAR" HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THE GAS GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, AND OIL PRESSURE GAGE DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I CAN BE STOPPED AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW I AM GOING X MPH. IT VARIES ON THE AMOUNT OF MILES THE SPEEDOMETER IS OFF. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ALWAYS SITS BELOW THE LOW LINE. THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT CORRECT BUT DOES MOVE. THIS VEHICLE IS A PEACE OF JUNK.

NHTSA ODI #10393174

85,500 miles · Mar 20, 2011
Exterior Lighting

MY EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND STAY OFF FOR 1-10 MINUTES. THE DEALER STATES THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE CAR ACTUALLY DOES IT WHILE THEY HAVE THE CAR. IT ONLY DOES IT EVERY FEW WEEKS, SOMETIMES A COUPLE OF MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392288

95,500 miles · Mar 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. ON MARCH 19, 2011, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT I LOOKED DOWN AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT WAS READING 80 MPH STANDING STILL. THE SPEEDOMETER READS 120+ WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING, I JUST KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND I FEEL…

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MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. ON MARCH 19, 2011, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT I LOOKED DOWN AT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT WAS READING 80 MPH STANDING STILL. THE SPEEDOMETER READS 120+ WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING, I JUST KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I LOOKED ON THE WEB TO SEE HOW I COULD REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT OWN CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS CHEVY DOESN'T SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM FOR SOME REASON. IS THERE A RECALL OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY TRAILBLAZER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392272

119,233 miles · Mar 20, 2011
Fuel System, Other

2005 4.6 V6 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LS; FUEL GAUGE SENSOR DOES NOT WORK. TO REPLACE YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT AT A COST WELL OVER $500.00. WHEN WILL A RECALL BE DONE. THIS SITE WILL LET YOU KNOW JUST HOW MANY ARE HAVING ISSUE WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/TRAILBLAZER/2005/FUEL_DELIVERY_SY…

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2005 4.6 V6 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LS; FUEL GAUGE SENSOR DOES NOT WORK. TO REPLACE YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT AT A COST WELL OVER $500.00. WHEN WILL A RECALL BE DONE. THIS SITE WILL LET YOU KNOW JUST HOW MANY ARE HAVING ISSUE WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/TRAILBLAZER/2005/FUEL_DELIVERY_SYSTEM/FUEL_GAUGE_NOT_WORKING.SHTML DO SOMETHING>>>>>. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392261

69,982 miles · Mar 19, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A NARROW AND BUSY COUNTRY ROAD (BECAUSE OF A DETOUR), MY FUEL INDICATOR, WHICH READ 3/4 FULL, IMMEDIATELY HIT EMPTY AND MY CAR STALLED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF GAS. ALTHOUGH UP UNTIL THAT SECOND THE FUEL INDICATOR READ 3/4 FULL, I WAS ACTUALLY OUT OF GAS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED, HAD NO SHOULDER TO ESCAP…

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AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A NARROW AND BUSY COUNTRY ROAD (BECAUSE OF A DETOUR), MY FUEL INDICATOR, WHICH READ 3/4 FULL, IMMEDIATELY HIT EMPTY AND MY CAR STALLED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF GAS. ALTHOUGH UP UNTIL THAT SECOND THE FUEL INDICATOR READ 3/4 FULL, I WAS ACTUALLY OUT OF GAS. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED, HAD NO SHOULDER TO ESCAPE TO AND IF THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME HAD BEEN FOLLOWING ANY CLOSER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERAL CAR PILE UP. AS IT STOOD, THIS INCIDENT PUT MANY IN DANGER AND IT WAS SIMPLY A MIRACLE THAT IT DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AFTER AAA BROUGHT ME GAS, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A GAS STATION AND EVEN THOUGH I FILLED THE TANK, THE INDICATOR STILL READ EMPTY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY'D HEARD OF THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME ALMOST $900.00 PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX THE ISSUE, AS IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. A FEW INTERNET SEARCHES LATER AND I FIND I'M ONE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE MY PORTION OF THE TAX DOLLARS I PAID INTO THE CAR MANUFACTURER BAIL-OUT TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PART SO THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM, LIKE ANY RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURER SHOULD. IF IT'S TOYOTA HAVING A PROBLEM, WE ARE WORSE THEN A DOG WITH A BONE; IF IT'S AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURE, DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DIE OVER THE ISSUE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN? SINCERELY AND DISAPPOINTEDLY YOURS... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392238

81,000 miles · Mar 15, 2011
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES OR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED; THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES OR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED; THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHIPS IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WANTS THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR AN ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTICS TEST ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL MECHANIC COMPLETED ONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #10390278

80,000 miles · Mar 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

[XXX] OF KODIAK, ALASKA PETITIONED THE AGENCY IN A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 12, 2011. THE PETITIONER REQUESTS THAT NHTSA OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PERFORMANCE/RELIABILITY OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES. THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND…

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[XXX] OF KODIAK, ALASKA PETITIONED THE AGENCY IN A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 12, 2011. THE PETITIONER REQUESTS THAT NHTSA OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PERFORMANCE/RELIABILITY OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES. THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD RESULT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, STALL, AND BEING REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ODI WILL EVALUATE THE PETITION FOR A GRANT OR DENY DECISION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389943

95,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Electrical System

2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT SPEEDOMETER FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389685

105,687 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER STOPPING TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK ON MY VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED THAT MY CAR HAD NO FUEL. I FILLED THE TANK ENTIRELY, TO THE COST OF $64.00, AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE "LOW FUEL" WARNING APPEARED. I TRIED TO TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, BUT THE FUEL SYSTEM STILL REGISTERED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS EMPT…

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AFTER STOPPING TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK ON MY VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED THAT MY CAR HAD NO FUEL. I FILLED THE TANK ENTIRELY, TO THE COST OF $64.00, AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE "LOW FUEL" WARNING APPEARED. I TRIED TO TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, BUT THE FUEL SYSTEM STILL REGISTERED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS EMPTY. I THEN TRIED TO RESET THE INTERNAL COMPUTER BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TERMINAL. THIS ALSO PROVED INEFFECTIVE. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES OR SO, THE GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN AN "EMPTY" READING AND A "1/2 TANK" READING. UPON STOPPING FINALLY ABOUT 4 MILES LATER (TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES DRIVEN AFTER FILLING THE TANK TO "FULL") THE FUEL GAUGE WENT BACK TO AN "EMPTY" READING, AND HAS SINCE REMAINED THERE. I NOW HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN MY GAS TANK ASIDE FROM TRACKING MY MILEAGE ON MY TRIP ODOMETER, AND "ESTIMATING" AS TO HOW MUCH GAS HAS BEEN USED, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT DRIVING CONDITIONS, DRIVING TENDENCIES, HIGHWAY VERSUS CITY TRAVEL, ETC. ALL FACTORS CONSIDERED, IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACK HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES, WHICH POSES A SAFETY RISK TO MYSELF, ANY OF MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHER DRIVERS.

NHTSA ODI #10388968

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.