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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
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A '05 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY GAS GAUGE START TO GO CRAZY. I FILL IT UP WITH GAS AND THE NEEDLE WENT TO EMPTY. IT START MOVING UP AND IT WENT BACK TO EMPTY AND STAY THERE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE NOW AND WENT IT IS EMPTY OR NOT. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS P…

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I HAVE A '05 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY GAS GAUGE START TO GO CRAZY. I FILL IT UP WITH GAS AND THE NEEDLE WENT TO EMPTY. IT START MOVING UP AND IT WENT BACK TO EMPTY AND STAY THERE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE NOW AND WENT IT IS EMPTY OR NOT. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330166

75,000 miles · May 11, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS A DASHBOARD CLUSTER FAILURE. MY SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGES DO NOT WORK. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING AND HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT IN MY TANK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR OVER A MONTH. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM ANGRY OWNERS DESCRIBING SPEEDING …

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER THAT HAS A DASHBOARD CLUSTER FAILURE. MY SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGES DO NOT WORK. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING AND HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT IN MY TANK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR OVER A MONTH. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM ANGRY OWNERS DESCRIBING SPEEDING TICKETS, RUNNING OUT OF GAS, ODOMETER FAILING, DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIMMING AND WARNING LIGHTS APPEARING. GM IS FAILING TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS DEFECT AND DEALERSHIPS ARE CHARGING $550 TO $650 FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329980

113,896 miles · May 10, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH HER FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER CAUSING LIMITED DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH HER FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER CAUSING LIMITED DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,896.

NHTSA ODI #10329548

50,000 miles · May 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS FUEL IN THE TANK. LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE TANK! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329507

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2010
Fuel System, Other

2005 TRAILBLAZER FUEL SENSOR UNIT. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MR. TURNER, FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE AT GENERAL MOTORS, DETROIT MICHIGAN, CONCERNING THE MANY LETTERS I HAVE SENT TO GENERAL MOTORS. 'IN A NUTSHELL' HE SAID 'GM HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FUEL SENSOR UNIT AND BASICALLY I WAS NOT BEING TRUTHFUL CONCERNING …

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2005 TRAILBLAZER FUEL SENSOR UNIT. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MR. TURNER, FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE AT GENERAL MOTORS, DETROIT MICHIGAN, CONCERNING THE MANY LETTERS I HAVE SENT TO GENERAL MOTORS. 'IN A NUTSHELL' HE SAID 'GM HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FUEL SENSOR UNIT AND BASICALLY I WAS NOT BEING TRUTHFUL CONCERNING THE UNIT' I REFERRED, HIM TO THIS PARTICULAR WEB SITE AND HIS COMMENT WAS 'IF COMPLAINTS WAS NOT COMING FROM THE CUSTOMERS OR DEALER, THE COMMENTS WAS BASIC USELESS' HE SUGGESTED, THAT I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER, AT THAT POINT THEY WOULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND 'MAYBE' THEY 'MIGHT DO SOMETHING' IN OTHER WORDS, YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT EVERYONE BOMBARD THE PRESIDENT / CEO OF GENERAL MOTORS WITH COMPLAINT LETTERS CONCERNING THE FUEL SENSOR OR CONTACT MR. TURNER AT THE NUMBER HE GAVE ME [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329138

38,800 miles · May 5, 2010
Fuel System, Other

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE REAL FUEL LEVEL. I HAVE SEEN THIS IN SEVERAL OTHER TRAILBLAZERS AS WELL AS SILVERADO TRUCKS THAT MY FRIENDS HAVE OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328957

77,048 miles · May 4, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH A FUEL PROBLEM. I THINK IT'S THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES EVEN AFTER AFULL FILL UP. WHEN I GOOGLED THIS QUESTION THE RESULTS I GOT WERE ASTOUNDING AT HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT IF IT WERE A ONCE IN AWHILE THING THAT HAPPE…

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH A FUEL PROBLEM. I THINK IT'S THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES EVEN AFTER AFULL FILL UP. WHEN I GOOGLED THIS QUESTION THE RESULTS I GOT WERE ASTOUNDING AT HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT IF IT WERE A ONCE IN AWHILE THING THAT HAPPENS NO BIG DEAL BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS AND EVEN THEY SAY IT CRAZY THAT'S THERE'S NO RECALL ON IT AS IT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328884

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I'VE HAD MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER FOR 5 YRS NOW AND THE LAST 4 MONTHS THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN ACTING UP. I FILL IT UP AND THE GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY. IT TAKES A FEW DAYS TO FINALLY GET THE READING RIGHT BUT AFTER A DAY OR SO IT GOES BACK TO EMPTY. BEING IN THE MILITARY AND HAVING THE VEHICLE AS THE PRIMARY FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS TIME …

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I'VE HAD MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER FOR 5 YRS NOW AND THE LAST 4 MONTHS THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN ACTING UP. I FILL IT UP AND THE GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY. IT TAKES A FEW DAYS TO FINALLY GET THE READING RIGHT BUT AFTER A DAY OR SO IT GOES BACK TO EMPTY. BEING IN THE MILITARY AND HAVING THE VEHICLE AS THE PRIMARY FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS TIME IS LIMITED FOR HER TO TAKE IT WHILE I AM AWAY OVERSEAS. MY WIFE WAS AND KIDS WERE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME TO FINALLY CAME AROUND WITH FUEL. READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER CHEVY OWNERS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL BE MY LAST TIME PURCHASING A CHEVY. KEEPING TRACK OF MILEAGE IS RIDICULOUS, IN TODAY'S ECONOMY PURCHASING A GOOD PRODUCT IS PRIORITY ONE AND IT IS A SHAME THAT A GIANT CAR COMPANY CAN ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM ON THERE HANDS. SAFETY SHOULD BE PRIORITY ONE!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328643

60,000 miles · May 3, 2010
Electrical System

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH 76,000 MILES ON IT. THE GAS GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER STARTED MESSING UP ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT STOPPED WORKING AND STARTED BACK ON ITS OWN. WELL NOW A YEAR LATER THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS WHEN IT WANTS. AFTER FURTHER STUDY INTO THE PROBLEM MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS THE INSTRU…

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I OWN A 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH 76,000 MILES ON IT. THE GAS GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER STARTED MESSING UP ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT STOPPED WORKING AND STARTED BACK ON ITS OWN. WELL NOW A YEAR LATER THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS WHEN IT WANTS. AFTER FURTHER STUDY INTO THE PROBLEM MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SO I GO ONLINE TO TRY AND FIND ONE AND INSTEAD I FIND THAT ITS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF TRAILBLAZER OWNERS. I CALL GM TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WAS TOLD SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY TO BAD. I THINK THAT WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE READ AND KNOW ABOUT THIS IS A MATTER THAT GM SHOULD RESOLVE. THEY RECALLED THE SAME CLUSTER THAT WAS PUT IN THE HIGHER PRICED VEHICLES BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP US OUT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS SINCE THIS IS MY WIFE AND KIDS CAR. I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THEM RIDING AROUND WITHOUT KNOWING HOW FAST THEY ARE GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS THEY HAVE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ODI #10328598

81,000 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HIT HIM BROADSIDE DOING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT END WAS NEARLY SHOVED ALL THE WAY UP TO THE WINDSHIELD. MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER WAS TOTALED. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND IF IT WASN'T FOR MY SEATBELT I WOULD HAVE WEN…

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HIT HIM BROADSIDE DOING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MILES PER HOUR. MY FRONT END WAS NEARLY SHOVED ALL THE WAY UP TO THE WINDSHIELD. MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER WAS TOTALED. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND IF IT WASN'T FOR MY SEATBELT I WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD. I SUSTAINED A HURT SHOULDER AND ARM AND PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAD SUCH A PAINFUL INJURY IF THE AIRBAG HAD OF DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328284

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.