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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 4 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #372

Feb 042009

Trailblazer

  • 76,000 miles

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

The fuel gauge stopped working in my vehicle and by the time the recall occurred in 2013, my vehicle has more than the limited mileage of 120,000 or less to pay for half the repair cost. The speedometer failed to work at all back in 2009 as well.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #371

Jun 102014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
When I fill up with gas my gas gauge reads 0. after driving 40 - 80 mi. It slowly comes back, but reads incorrectly for a few miles. By the time its nearing 1/4 to 1/2 tank is seems ok. I really think its only a matter of time before it quits altogether. I don't trust and use my odometer to estimate my gas level.

- Webster, NY, USA

problem #370

Oct 152014

Trailblazer

  • miles
First my temp gauge started reading incorrectly. The needle would point way outside the normal range of the gauge, often straight downward. Then my speedometer stopped working. At a full stop it says I'm going between 50 and 65 mph. I've read online that this is apparently a big problem for this model and year (several repairs per week) and yet there's no recall?

- Pelham, AL, USA

problem #369

Jun 192013

Trailblazer

  • 87,000 miles

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

While putting the truck into 4X4 hi, lo, or all wheel drive, the transfer case never does fully put it into 4X4. While driving, the dim lights turn completely off. The brights work, but the dims do not. These will not turn back on until the truck is shut off or a proper bump is hit. The heater blower in the front sometimes will nit come on. The back will be blowing, not the front. Also if a bump is hit improperly, the back speakers will start buzzing.

- Brighton, IL, USA

problem #368

Aug 012013

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
Multiple times my Trailblazer has stalled without warning. It tends to happen when I am in a stopped position. Whether it is at a stop light or just stopping in general. It takes a minute and then restarts. It has also multiple times lost head lights. The last time was at 9pm while driving home with my children in the car. My headlights went out I had to pull over and the only way my lights would work was if I held my high beams on.

- Deerfield, WI, USA

problem #367

Oct 032011

Trailblazer

  • 110,000 miles
The speedometer no longer works. As the weather gets colder, the needle will get stuck in the 90-100 range and not reset when the car is turned off.I am the original owner of the car and this started happening about a couple of years ago as the winter approaches. In the summer the speedometer seems to work fine. Years ago the needle on the oil gauge stopped working. It was going to cost over $700 to replace the instrument panel so decided against that since I change the oil regularly. The speedometer is a necessity and the occurring defect seems like a very common problem on this model. Why isn't this being addressed?

- Clifton, VA, USA

problem #366

Nov 052012

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

Engine cylinder needed to be replaced less than 3 years of taking ownership of the vehicle in 2005 ($3,000 in repair...according to dealer it was a known issue but not a recall). Gas gauge and speedometer both stopped working about two years ago. Despite known issues, GM still wanted us to pay half the cost of repair. The speedometer was repaired, gas gauge is still not working. Also, the heater has been replaced and we change headlights at least twice a year because of some short in the vehicle's electrical.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #365

Feb 192014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Speed control. Driving down the road & the speedometer does not register the correct speed. 10 to 20 miles per hour over & even more at times. No way of knowing how fast car is going. Sometimes it registers under. Very dangerous driving. Never knowing how fast or slow I am going. Chevrolet also replaced fuel gauge sending unit. Rear wiper has not worked for years. Tried everything to fix. Very unsafe to not be able to see out of my back window. This vehicle has a lot of problems. Bought new. Very low mileage.

- Hortonville, WI, USA

problem #364

Oct 012007

Trailblazer

  • 83,875 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The dealer replaced the ignition switch and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the exhaust manifold crack, the water pump, the evaporator cord, the headlight wiring harness (which melted and caused the light bulb to fail), the hub assembly, the instrument panel cluster, the motor blower resistor wires, and the door locks. The contact also stated that the rear windows would not open or close and the rear hatch lock system and instrument panel cluster failures persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 83,875.

- Reed City , MI, USA

problem #363

Mar 032014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
On or about this date my 2005 Trailblazer experienced and electrical failure during a snow storm. Both power door lock and power window switches became in operative and the windows opened automatically while driving and would not go back up. I also encountered an electrical smell in the vehicle, after stopping and turning off the vehicle and then restarting the switches functioned again. I noticed that in the GM recall on 6-30-14, the 2005 Trailblazer was in the recall for defective window/lock switch can overheat and malfunction also mentioned is the key switch problem GM had. I have contacted the dealer and been told that without an official recall from GM that there is nothing that can be done. The was in fact a recall but it seems it was "swept under the rug". here is the reference list I found: Currently, the following list of vehicles are all subject to the GM recalls on ignition switches: 1997-2005 Chevrolet Malibu 1998-2002 Oldsmobile intrigue 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am 2000-05 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo 2004-08 Pontiac Grand Prix 2003-14 Cadillac cts 2004-06 Cadillac srx 2011-14 Chevrolet Cruze; 2012-14 Chevrolet sonic 2013-14 Chevrolet trax, Buick encore and verano 2014 Chevrolet camaro and Impala, Buick regal, Cadillac xts 2007-11 Chevrolet Silverado hd, GMC Sierra hd equipped with an auxiliary battery 2005-07 Buick rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu ascender, Saab 9-7X 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer ext, GMC Envoy XL yet GM has failed to act and take responsibility. What can be done??

- Rock Creek, OH, USA

problem #362

May 202014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

The windows would roll up by themselves, one of my dogs almost got his head stuck in the back window, also seat heater would come on and switch from high to med. To low, then back to high. I had it repaired, cost was $413 I'm hearing the same trouble has been reported with the 2006 - 2007 models and some have caught fire. Is the new part going to do the same" can I recover any of the cost"

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #361

Aug 292014

Trailblazer

  • 103,000 miles
I bought this car at the end of March of this year with under 100,000 miles. The first thing to go was the gas gauge, about 2 months after I bought the trail Blazer the needle went South. It actually hovers around 6 0 ' clock. Then a couple nights ago driving home I had the cruise control on, I took it with the hand button and looked down and the needle never moved, it was stuck at 65. It's been 3 days and the needle has moved but the wrong way, to the right going up 75, 80, 90, then back down to 65 and staying there. I have looked into replacing the gas gauge and I was told the entire dash would have to be done at a price of $1200, I should not have to do this, Chevrolet should be held responsible.

- Shingle Springs, CA, USA

problem #360

Aug 262014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
Fuel gauge quit working.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #359

Sep 232011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 38,054 miles
As I was driving on florence blvd my speedometer quit working and the oil gauge wasnt registering but the others were working ok. Now all of them do not work except every once in awhile one or two of them might start working for awhile then they will stop working. With all the other complaints it seems to me that this is a manufacturer defect and Chevrolet should be made to fix it at their expense. They let faulty products go thru qc now they need to fix the problem. Thank you.

- Casa Grande, AZ, USA

problem #358

Oct 162013

Trailblazer

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving various speeds, the front driver side power door lock and window failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on numerous occasions. The vehicle was repaired, but the cause of the failure was unknown. The failure recurred after the repair was performed. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

- Sussex , NJ, USA

problem #357

Aug 012014

Trailblazer

  • miles
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle electronic system recall. The consumer stated he experienced an electrical malfunction, that caused the door locks and window controls to cease functioning. Sometimes the system was operational and he was able to use it, for a short time.

- O'fallon, IL, USA

problem #356

Sep 112010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Myself and my daughter was visiting my parents in Virginia and I turned the steering wheel to the right to go around a curve and the steering wheel didn't turn. I looked ay my daughter and said "oh _ _ _ _" and she ask me what 's wrong? I said the steering didn't turn and it wasn't but seconds later, we slammed into the side of the mountain on the driver side and we rolled two or three times and ended up on the roof. I immediately went unconscious because of the impact. I had a big gash on my head and was bleeding profusely and I was having trouble breathing because both of my lungs were punctured. All the windows burst out so my daughter was able to crawl out the passenger window to ask someone for help but my seat belt would not unbuckle so there was an issue getting me out. I was very lucky that someone that stopped had a pocket knife and cut the seatbelt to get me out. I had a bad concussion and I kept going in and out. I had three broken ribs, three pelvic fractures, a bad contusion on my elbow and I still have a swollen knot about two and a half inches on my left leg. I also have issues with my back and I am in constant pain and on impact, my seat belt jerked and caught my breast and I now have five cyst with the largest one being one inch and they are very painful. I have to watch it very closely because of a cancer risk called inflammation cancer. I was hospitalized for three days and I have to continue receiving medical care because of these injuries. My daughter is young and now she has back problems and ptsd and she also continues to receive medical care. This has really impacted and changed my life and my daughters life and I would really appreciate it if you would take the time to investigate these issues. We are going to have life long injuries and issues because of this accident. Thank you very much.

- Grand Junctiom, CO, USA

problem #355

Jul 212014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 196,000 miles
Possible fatal fire accident. The passenger outside running light 9006 socket found to have burned completly off of the light 9006. This is the 2nd time this vehicle socket has been found to be defective, on 03/15/2012 the driver side socket was burned and was replaced. No help from general moters. See vehicle safety complaints filed with General Motors and NHTSA number 10592126. A number of my vehicle defects could have lead to a fatal accident. Updated 4/24/2015

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

problem #354

May 012009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
My trail Blazer check engine light stays on we cannot reset it. The full gauge says it has more gas then what it does, I have to guess to avoid running our of gas. Speedometer stops working then it fixes its self. The radio and lights sometimes stay on, and kills my battery.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #353

Jun 112014

Trailblazer

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the driver side turn signal, brake lights, headlights, air conditioning, and heater were all defective. An independent mechanic stated that the electrical system was defective. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

- Morgan City, MS, USA

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