IllustrationAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK RUSTED OFF AT THE TOP. RUSTING INSIDE A TRANSMISSION IS A CONCERN FOR THE OVERALL LIFE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *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 reportsSPEEDOMETER BEGAN STICKING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND EVENTUALLY JUST STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. IT STAYS AT 0 MPH ALL THE TIME NOW. I EVEN RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET IN FEB 2010 BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE IN MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND THE SPEEDOMETER SAID I WAS TRAVELING 95 MPH AND PEOPLE WERE PASSING ME LIKE I WAS SITTING STILL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPEEDOMETER/ CLUSTER ON EVERY VEHICLE WITH THE SAME SPEEDOMETER EXCEPT THE TRAILBLAZER. NOW I'M FINDING MANY OTHERS WITH T…
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GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE IN MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND THE SPEEDOMETER SAID I WAS TRAVELING 95 MPH AND PEOPLE WERE PASSING ME LIKE I WAS SITTING STILL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPEEDOMETER/ CLUSTER ON EVERY VEHICLE WITH THE SAME SPEEDOMETER EXCEPT THE TRAILBLAZER. NOW I'M FINDING MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM SAYS THEY WILL TRY TO GET A REDUCED FEE TO GET IT FIXED - NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THEY SHOULD FIX IT FOR NOTHING AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. FUEL SENSOR QUIT WORKING AT 32,000 MILES. I HAVE CALLED AND IT IS AROUND $600 TO FIX. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE SOMETIMES READS ALL THE WAY FULL OR ALL THE WAY EMPTY OR SOMETIMES 1/4 TANK AND THIS COULD LEAD TO ME RUNNING OUT OF GAS AT WORST TIMES. IF I RA…
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MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. FUEL SENSOR QUIT WORKING AT 32,000 MILES. I HAVE CALLED AND IT IS AROUND $600 TO FIX. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE SOMETIMES READS ALL THE WAY FULL OR ALL THE WAY EMPTY OR SOMETIMES 1/4 TANK AND THIS COULD LEAD TO ME RUNNING OUT OF GAS AT WORST TIMES. IF I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND RESULT IN A FATALITY OR INJURIES. I DID NOT KNOW I COULD REPORT SUCH PROBLEMS THAT'S WHY I AM DOING IT NOW INSTEAD OF WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. *TR
IM HAVING PLOBLEMS WITH MY SPEEDOMETER AND IT WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK AND MOST OF THE TIME I NEVER KNOW HOW FAST IM GOING DO TO THIS PLOBLEM.I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE HAVING THESE PLOBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE.
SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING. 3/29/10: INDICATED 0MPH WHILE CAR WAS MOVING. 3/30/10: INDICATED 30MPH WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY, AND AN ESTIMATED 30MPH OVER ACTUAL SPEED. 4/2/10: DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT SPEED GAGE CLUSTER ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ORDERED REPLACEMENT. ESTIMATED COST (PARTS+LABOR) = $550.
SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONING, MOSST TIMES READS 100-110 MPH STANDING STILL OR WHILE MOVING
2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING. MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW NO LONGER FUNCTIONS (FUSE IS FINE).
I HAVE OWNED MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY SPEEDOMETER. SOMETIMES IT WORKS OTHERS IT WILL SHOW YOU ARE DOING 4 X THE SPEED LIMIT. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY GM.
I HAVE A 2005 TRAILBLAZER LS. MY FUEL GUAGE IS READING INCURRECTLY, DESPITE FILLING MY TANK FULL WITH GAS THE DIAL GOES BACK TO EMPTY. THE DIAL ON THE GUAGE MOVES SOME TIMES BUT MOSTLY EITHER REMAINS ON EMPTY AND NEVERS READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHILE I HAD MY EXTENDED WARRA…
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I HAVE A 2005 TRAILBLAZER LS. MY FUEL GUAGE IS READING INCURRECTLY, DESPITE FILLING MY TANK FULL WITH GAS THE DIAL GOES BACK TO EMPTY. THE DIAL ON THE GUAGE MOVES SOME TIMES BUT MOSTLY EITHER REMAINS ON EMPTY AND NEVERS READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHILE I HAD MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, NOT TO MENTION MY FRIEND HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HER TRAILBLAZER AND GAVE THE WHOLE TRUCK BACK. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE FAMILY AND THE LAST THING I NEED TO HAPPEN IS TO RUN OUT OF GAS BECAUSE I CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY TRUCK *CN
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.