NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
27 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 28, 2026
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other
My first complaint is that headlights, low beam, would not work. Only high beams worked. The issue stopped, unexplainable, on its own, has not occurred again. The 2nd complaint is the radio volume would 'slip' as if there were a loose wire to the speakers, and loss of sound became more frequent and for longer periods of time, e…
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My first complaint is that headlights, low beam, would not work. Only high beams worked. The issue stopped, unexplainable, on its own, has not occurred again. The 2nd complaint is the radio volume would 'slip' as if there were a loose wire to the speakers, and loss of sound became more frequent and for longer periods of time, eventually all sound stopped, it has not been fixed, as of yet. 3rd complaint, a brand new battery, in under a year of use, went completely dead, without any visible explanation. When an attempt to jump start the vehicle the cables from another cars battery were touched at my cars battery, it sparked, indicating to the person performing the task, there is a 'short' somewhere in the wiring system. I drive this vehicle less than 3000 miles per year, and use it sporadically with my second vehicle to keep the batteries active. I cannot explain why these issues are occurring but thought it important to mention them to other possible victims with the same issues.
NHTSA ODI #11747022
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY APPLIED BRAKES AND HIT CAR IN REAR. AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI #11184731
136,731 miles · Sep 24, 2018
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,731.
NHTSA ODI #11131077
83,000 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Engine
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD
NHTSA ODI #11078549
104,000 miles · Feb 5, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, THEN THE CAR STARTS CHUGGING AND SHUDDERING AND SOUNDS AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK IN TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE AT ANYTHING OVER 20 MPH, IF IT EVEN ACCELERATES AT ALL. I USUALLY END UP CO…
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THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, THEN THE CAR STARTS CHUGGING AND SHUDDERING AND SOUNDS AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK IN TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE AT ANYTHING OVER 20 MPH, IF IT EVEN ACCELERATES AT ALL. I USUALLY END UP COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE DOWN. I LET IT SIT AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT MAY OR MAY NOT LET ME GO AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11067138
157,654 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. AND NOT COME BACK ON YOU HAVE TO TURN ON HIGH BEAMS TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED AND PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE TURNED IT BACK ON AND LOW BEAMS STILL DID NOT COME BACK ON
NHTSA ODI #11042969
85,000 miles · Feb 24, 2017
Exterior Lighting
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS STAY ON AND THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK. ONLY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE AFFECTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION AND FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING IT IN DRIVE. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ON SEVERAL GROUP WE SIGHTS AND FOUND THAT THE PROBL…
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THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS STAY ON AND THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK. ONLY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE AFFECTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION AND FROM A STOPPED POSITION WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING IT IN DRIVE. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ON SEVERAL GROUP WE SIGHTS AND FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER MODULE (HDM). I HAVE REPLACED THIS TWO TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WHICH ALWAYS FIXES IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR THEN IT STARTS FAILING AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AFTER DARK. I CAN PULL OVER AND STOP, OPEN THE HOOD AND TAKE OFF THE FUSE BOX COVER AND REMOVE THE HDM AND PUT IT BACK IN THE SOCKET. SOMETIMES THIS WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON EARLIER TRAILBLAZERS BUT NOT THIS YEAR. IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
NHTSA ODI #10956853
135,000 miles · Jan 12, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A SEMI-TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, KNEES, AND ARMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A SEMI-TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, KNEES, AND ARMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10944639
30,000 miles · Jul 16, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED. ALL THE LIGHTS BLINK WHILE YOU RIDE ALONG. THE TWO BACK DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE STARTING TO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK PROPERLY. THE ITEMS THAT LET YOU KNOW WHEN A TIRE IS LOW IN AIR ARE FAILING. THE LAST ONE COSTING OVER $100 TO FIX. I AM GETTING VERY UPSET WITH THE ELECTRIC PA…
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THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED. ALL THE LIGHTS BLINK WHILE YOU RIDE ALONG. THE TWO BACK DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE STARTING TO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK PROPERLY. THE ITEMS THAT LET YOU KNOW WHEN A TIRE IS LOW IN AIR ARE FAILING. THE LAST ONE COSTING OVER $100 TO FIX. I AM GETTING VERY UPSET WITH THE ELECTRIC PARTS IN THIS TRAILBLAZER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE PURCHASE. AS A PHOTO I CAN SEND YOU A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10885231
80,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ACTIVATE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE NEW FUSE ONLY LASTED SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WILL B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ACTIVATE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE NEW FUSE ONLY LASTED SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED AGAIN PER THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10838940
NHTSA investigations
1RQ17002 · 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.