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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer is known for many things, but perhaps it is most famous for its faulty fuel gauge.

This gauge flip-flops more than a politician during election season. Some report that the gauge says "empty" after a fill-up, while others report the gauge says "full" when they're running on fumes. Either way, there's one thing everyone seems to agree on: the darn thing is just wrong.

Following hundreds of complaints and a few accidents allegedly caused by the malfunction, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the issue in May 2011. Unfortunately for frustrated owners, no recall has been announced.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,530 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 19 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #72

Nov 102008

Trailblazer

  • 47,324 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving at night typically while "coasting" between 30-50 mph my headlights on my Trailblazer dim, the battery charge goes down, and the blower stops working for just a second. After researching this on the internet I have noticed that many other people are having a similar, and unresolved problem with their Trailblazers as well. This is dangerous because headlights are necessary, also something that should not be a consistency with many consumers. Mine is a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer ls. I hope is matter is looked into more since there is a huge problem that many customers are having that is getting ignored. We need someone to look out for us!

- White Bear Twsp., MN, USA

problem #71

Mar 032008

Trailblazer

  • miles
My vehicle headlights in my 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, blink, flicker or flash when too much power is going in, I don't think this vehicle has a big enough alternator, but the dealer or GM will not do anything to help me, they said its normal. If its normal that the headlights flicker, I would have never bought this vehicle. It is just so frustrating to have a vehicle in a shop when you need it for day to day living. This has been going on for 8 months now. This could kill someone and according to multiple blog sites this is a problem for a lot of people.

- Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #70

Oct 262008

Trailblazer

  • 57,000 miles
I have an 2005 Chevy Trailblazer that the lights constantly are flashing. They dim and then come very bright again non-stop. This can not be safe because for several instances they are so dim that you can't see in the dark. I have had the vehicle in several times when it was under warranty and GM said it was normal when the fan kicks on. Well it is not normal or is it safe. I can not manually flick the lights as fast as they flicker when I am driving down the road. It is very unsafe and GM needs to find a fix for it.

- North English, IA, USA

problem #69

Oct 202008

Trailblazer

  • 64,685 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights and dashlights flicker erratically that it almost looks like you are flashing your lights at oncoming motorists. Have had it to the dealer more that six times for this without resolve. The dealer says it is normal, and they don't care if we get killed.

- Erie, CO, USA

problem #68

Oct 032008

Trailblazer

  • 46,000 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer lt, and I have noticed this strange sound lately when I start it up and it gets louder as you drive it. My father said that it is the bearings and the alternator, so I decided to look it up on the internet and saw multiple complaints on this issue with this particular model. I was told to file a complaint on a site, and was directed by many others who have experienced this issue. I am not happy, and I still owe on this vehicle and the warranty is conveniently up just as this is happening. I want this correct, and someone contacted GM and they stated that there is an issue with the pump and the electrical, well then they need to recall this vehicle and fix it for free.

- Swartz Creek, MI, USA

problem #67

Oct 162008

Trailblazer

  • 25 miles
When driving at night, my headlight dim/brighten on their own. Have been told there is nothing that GM will do for me, this was reported to the deal the day I bought the car and I have several work orders for the dealership trying to find the problem, but could not find anything and there is no recall for it. So now, when I drive at night, people think I am flashing my lights at them. I have even gone to another dealer and they say they hear alot of people complaining about this and there is something wrong with some type of programming, but GM does not have a fix. This is becoming dangerous.

- Commerce City, CO, USA

problem #66

Sep 102008

Trailblazer

  • 79,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2005 Trailblazer and have had several problems with it. Currently the issue I am dealing with is the speedometer. Several weeks ago, my speedometer while driving at approx 30 mph went all the way around past 120 mph and stuck. Following that, every time I started my car, it would decrease 10 mph until it went back to 0 mph. It worked fine for a while and now I am having a problem again with the needle spun all the way around and does not move when I am driving. I understand this is a common problem with this year model and feel that is definitely a safety hazard when you really have no idea how fast you are going, it is a guessing game.

- Holland Patent, NY, USA

problem #65

Oct 082008

Trailblazer

  • miles
Speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure gauge all giving inaccurate readings! I don't know any car, no matter what year or make which has these problems! only GM! it is very dangerous to not know how fast or slow you're going. Impeding flow of traffic.

- Hacienda Heights, CA, USA

problem #64

May 292008

Trailblazer

  • 43,000 miles
I own a 2005 Chevy trailbazer. The dash and headlights flicker and dim while night driving no one can find the problem.

- Machias, NY, USA

problem #63

Sep 262008

Trailblazer

  • 78,000 miles
Speedometer malfunctioning (need instrument panel cluster) fuel level system malfunctioning.

- Waggaman, LA, USA

problem #62

Sep 192008

Trailblazer

  • 55,158 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed that the speedometer was stuck. The failure occurs intermittently. He currently has an appointment with the dealer. The failure mileage was 55,158.

- Collinsville, IL, USA

problem #61

Jan 012006

Trailblazer

  • 10,000 miles
I own a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. I have had trouble with the rear taillights. In particular the brake lights. It has been to the dealer several times with no help. They have replaced the socket asm. But no real fix as it come and goes. I have heard the same from other Trailblazer owners also. 10155053 refers to this problem also. Thank you

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #60

Aug 102008

Trailblazer

  • 57,800 miles
About 2 weeks ago, my 05 Trailblazer began having "no start" problems. Sometimes it would start and sometimes not. During times it would not start, I could not shift it out of park. If I turn the key off and back on again it would start. But I took it to the dealership to find out what was going on, and of course, they could not duplicate the problem. So I continued driving it with this off and on problem for 2 weeks until one day I was driving on the interstate with my son, mother and father in the vehicle. All of a sudden the motor just killed! luckily there was no one behind me and I was able to pull over to the side of the road. As I was pulling over though it was difficult because the power brakes and power steering were lost. My son was very upset and nervous. This time at the dealership they confirmed it was the ignition switch. This is the second time replacing it since buying the vehicle new. Even the technician admitted that Trailblazers have alot of trouble with ignition switches but said there is no recall because it's not a "safety issue". so my engine dying while I'm traveling 70mph on the interstate with family in the vehicle poses no safety issue? I feel that Chevrolet should issue a recall and reimburse me for my costs as my warranty is expired. By the way, other problems I've had with this vehicle include the idler pulley, brake lights going bad and melting into the terminal, speedometer malfunction, cd player broken, glue around license plate frame oozing and melting, broken latch on storage compartment in between front seats, faulty thermostat causing engine light to come on, and problems with the back hatch door. Next vehicle I buy will be a reliable Toyota or Nissan. Can't wait to get rid of this Chevy.

- Jefferson, LA, USA

problem #59

Dec 022007

Trailblazer

  • miles
I own a 2005 Trailblazer. Its a great vehicle but problem's of great concern have risen. I would like to petition to have Chevrolet to display a campaign for the recall and correction of a fuel gage problem which myself and many, many Trailblazer owners are having. It involves the fuel gage not functioning properly displaying empty and or a variety of levels of the fuel tank. The amount of complaints which I have found on the internet of Trailblazer owners should warrant an action from Chevrolet to repair the problem with no costs to the owners of these vehicles. Please investigate and you will see the situation. I hope an action to correct is the responsibility of Chevrolet because it is definitely an design issue. Why do the owners have to pay something that is not functioning properly and definitely an issue from the manufacturer. The other issue is very serious. The doors lock automatically when the vehicle is not in drive or the engine is running. Case in point, my wife stopped at the service station to fill up with fuel, left the keys in the ignition close the door and started to fuel up. Part way in the filling as she stood there outside of the vehicle, her purse inside on the seat and the doors locked on their own. She then had to barrow someone's cell phone to call on-star to unlock the doors. I did not think much on it and thought she had did something to trigger the action. Well one day I was in the sitting truck and waiting for my wife. I have the key in the ignition, the engine not running and then the doors locked by themselves. I did nothing to trigger this. Now I believe there is something very wrong. This locking by themselves will be very serious if a mother has an child or infant inside the vehicle and he or she is possibly getting fuel or something. What if this happened and the child or infant started choking or convulsions or a very hot day and help is many minutes away. Does Chevrolet not care?

- Carmel, CA, USA

problem #58

Jul 252008

Trailblazer

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer which was purchased in 2007. While driving 30mph, he noticed a burning wire odor, turned the vehicle off and discovered that a fire erupted under the passenger side glove compartment. The dealer stated that there were no recalls; however, there was a 10-inch amp that should have blown the fuse to prevent a fire from occurring. The failure mileage was 106,000 and the current mileage is 107,000. Updated 10/03/08 updated 10/07/08. 8jb

- Wataga, IL, USA

problem #57

Nov 012006

Trailblazer

  • 59,000 miles
I have a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer which has a faulty speedometer. GM will not do anything about it. It is out of warranty, but I have been reading that this is a widespread occurrence. This is a safety issue.

- Florissant, CO, USA

problem #56

May 012006

Trailblazer

  • 10,000 miles
Headlights dim intermittently, heat looses power at the same time, now getting flickering of interior lights. Wasn't able to fix it. Bumper warping. Getting 10 miles to the gallon! paint on buttons wearing on radio. Sun roof leaked profusely, had it fixed. Rear window defogger doesn't work. Head liner sagged.

- New London, CT, USA

problem #55

May 242008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 42,814 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. Car is in fine condition but for some reason the car died. It restarted and ran ruff. Called the dealership and they had me tow it in. They ran "tests" and said my battery terminals were loose. I told them I did not agree. They said that they found nothing. Today June 2 rush our approaching an intersection car just died again. Car is not fine. Both times I was luck to be away from others but if not.....everything failed including my brake lights. If there was anyone near me than yes there would have been property damage, a crash and a report to the police.

- Parkland, FM, USA

problem #54

May 282008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
I have had my 2005 trail Blazer for 2 years, and have taken it in 3 times, and had the alternator replaced twice. I'll be taking it in again tomorrow, due the dimming/flashing lights, and whining noise. Same symptoms as before, alternator again I'm sure. I am hoping to sell it, and never buy Chevy again. Very irritating!

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #53

Apr 262008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 66,500 miles
Electrical problem with 2005 Chevy Trailblazer.

- Lookout Mtn, GA, USA

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