IllustrationJUST FILLED MY TANK ON MY CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH FUEL AND FUEL GAUGE STILL REGISTERED EMPTY AND FUEL LIGHT COME ON. *TR
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 reportsTHE CAR ORIGINALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON 95 SOUTH. NOW IT RANDOMLY STALLS ON AN AVERAGE OF TWICE A MONTH. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. IN ORDER TO GET IN RUNNING AGAIN, I HAVE TO OPEN THE FUSE BOX WHERE EVER I AM ABLE TO PULL OVER, USUALLY ON A HIGHWAY AND PUSH UP ONTO ONE OF THE FUSES. I BROUGHT…
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THE CAR ORIGINALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON 95 SOUTH. NOW IT RANDOMLY STALLS ON AN AVERAGE OF TWICE A MONTH. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. IN ORDER TO GET IN RUNNING AGAIN, I HAVE TO OPEN THE FUSE BOX WHERE EVER I AM ABLE TO PULL OVER, USUALLY ON A HIGHWAY AND PUSH UP ONTO ONE OF THE FUSES. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT FOR JUST OVER $100. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH IT BEGAN DOING IT AGAIN. SO THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR
SPEEDOMETER JUMPED ONE DAY FROM 65 TO 160. ALMOST IS CONSTANTLY POINTING NEAR THE ODOMETER. SPEEDOMETER PIN STILL MOVES BUT IS COMPLETELY INACCURATE. DEALER WANTS OVER $500 TO FIX IT. IT HAPPENED IN A FRIENDS 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO DURAMAX DIESEL 3500 AND IT WAS A RECALL AND WAS FIXED. IT ALSO HAPPENED IN A FRIENDS 2005 CHEVY IMP…
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SPEEDOMETER JUMPED ONE DAY FROM 65 TO 160. ALMOST IS CONSTANTLY POINTING NEAR THE ODOMETER. SPEEDOMETER PIN STILL MOVES BUT IS COMPLETELY INACCURATE. DEALER WANTS OVER $500 TO FIX IT. IT HAPPENED IN A FRIENDS 2005 CHEVY SILVERADO DURAMAX DIESEL 3500 AND IT WAS A RECALL AND WAS FIXED. IT ALSO HAPPENED IN A FRIENDS 2005 CHEVY IMPALA AND WAS NOT FIXED. IT IS CLEARLY AND ISSUE IN ALL THE 2005 MODELS NOT JUST THE TRAILBLAZERS. *TR
PURCHASED MY VEH IN 2006 AND SOON AFTER THIS MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. HAD IT REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR CENTER. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THIS THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND HAD THE REPAIR CENTER INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IN BOTH INSTANCES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD GONE BAD. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE WH…
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PURCHASED MY VEH IN 2006 AND SOON AFTER THIS MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. HAD IT REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR CENTER. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THIS THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND HAD THE REPAIR CENTER INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IN BOTH INSTANCES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD GONE BAD. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE WHOLE UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPOXIMATELY $600. I OPTED TO REPLACE THE UNIT MY SELF AFTER PURCHASING THE UNIT FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR HALF THE PRICE. NOW MY FUEL GAUGE HAS GONE BAD FOR A THIRD TIME AND NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT. AFTER DOING SOME REASEARCH ONLINE, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO ASSIST THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES MY FUEL GAGE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING, IT WOULD REMAIN ON "E" IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING UP. AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. I CONT…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES MY FUEL GAGE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING, IT WOULD REMAIN ON "E" IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING UP. AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. I CONTACTED GM AND INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL AND WAS TOLD THERE HAD NOT BEEN ONE AND THERE WAS NONE PLANNED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE HOVERS AROUND 80 OR POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL READ 120 MPH WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, OR WILL READ 30 MPH WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED AS OTHER…
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THE FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE HOVERS AROUND 80 OR POINTS STRAIGHT DOWN. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL READ 120 MPH WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, OR WILL READ 30 MPH WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED AS OTHER CARS, GENERALLY IN THE 55-65 MPH RANGE. THE SPEEDOMETER ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE, AS YOU HAVE NO WAY TO KNOW YOUR TRUE SPEED. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE IS UNSAFE AS WELL, AS YOU HAVE NO WAY TO KNOW IF/WHEN YOU'RE REALLY HAVING AN OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM. MY CALLS TO GM HAVE RESULTED IN NO RESOLUTION, AS I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULDN'T NEED THE SPEEDOMETER SINCE I CAN "FEEL" HOW FAST I'M GOING (AS STATED BY A GM REPRESENTATIVE).
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAS FAILED RESULTED IN INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. FUEL TANK SENSOR IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE. POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE STALLING AND REAR-END COLLISIONS. *TR
SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING OR READS COMPLETELY WRONG, VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 90 MPH AS THE VEHICLE MILEAGE INCREASED TO 100,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 90 MPH AS THE VEHICLE MILEAGE INCREASED TO 100,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
OWN A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND SPEEDO STOPS WORKING AT TIMES AND THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE 6 MONTHS AGO AND NOW OIL GAUGE AND FUEL GAUGE ARE NOT READING RIGHT. AND THEY READ WRONG ALL THE TIME NOW. HAVEN'T PAID ANYONE TO REPAIR PROBLEM YET EXCEPT PAYING SOMEONE TO MANUAL CHECK OIL PRESSURE AND ENGINE HAS GOOD OIL PRESSURE B…
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OWN A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND SPEEDO STOPS WORKING AT TIMES AND THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE 6 MONTHS AGO AND NOW OIL GAUGE AND FUEL GAUGE ARE NOT READING RIGHT. AND THEY READ WRONG ALL THE TIME NOW. HAVEN'T PAID ANYONE TO REPAIR PROBLEM YET EXCEPT PAYING SOMEONE TO MANUAL CHECK OIL PRESSURE AND ENGINE HAS GOOD OIL PRESSURE BUT GAUGE READS 0. *TR
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.