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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:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,143 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 22 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

Dec 032008

Trailblazer

  • 45,000 miles

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

Instrument cluster malfunctioning. Speedometer, tachometer and oil pressure gauges are inaccurate. Also had to replace fuel sensor/sending unit before vehicle reached 50,000 miles.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #8

Oct 012008

Trailblazer

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not working properly on the instrument panel. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the fuel sensor located inside the gas tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. Through online research, the contact discovered that fuel sensor failures for the Trailblazers were very common. The vehicle has not been repaired due to the treatment the contact received at the dealer. He feels that the information about the fuel sensor should have been shared by the dealer, rather than being discovered on the internet. He also feels that the vehicle is unsafe because there could be no fuel in the tank unbeknownst to the contact. The current mileage was 57,985 and failure mileage was 52,000.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #7

Aug 092008

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles
I have had the problem that so many others have had with the fuel gauge. After filling my tank, when I started my 2005 Trailblazer the gauge read empty and the low fuel light was on. Eventually, the needle did move to where I think it was maybe an accurate reading. How about the lunging forward the vehicle does when pulling into a parking spot which causes a danger to anyone possible walking in the area. Also, for no apparent reason, my 4 wheel drive just stopped working. I have owned nothing but Chevrolet's for the last 30 years and never have I been disappointed with any vehicle as I am with this one. Oh yeah and I am also leaking transmission fluid. My 2005 Trailblazer has approximately 80,000 miles on it which I don't feel warrants these major issues.

- Holland Patent, NY, USA

problem #6

Aug 112008

Trailblazer

  • 52,579 miles

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

My vehicle is a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer: Shortly after my last oil change on 8/11/2008 my fuel gauge began swinging between full and empty and every time I fill up my vehicle the "empty fuel light" stays on and the gauge reads empty even though the vehicle is full. I researched this problem online and have become aware that numerous people are having this problem and that GM is aware of it but they have neglected to do a recall.

- Tuscumbia, AL, USA

problem #5

Sep 152008

Trailblazer

  • 63,631 miles
When I bought this vehicle 2 months ago, I thought the gas gauge was empty upon purchase, as it was a used car, but no it is the fuel system problem that everybody keeps mentioning. I fill the vehicle, and it only shows a half tank. Then it will go to empty with the warning light coming on. As someone who travels a lot, and for long distances, this is a horrible defect. The exhaust manifold has become loud, which means another expense on a 2005 which shouldn't be happening.

- Trenton, ME, USA

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problem #4

Sep 242008

Trailblazer

  • 48,000 miles
I started having problems with the fuel sensor last night. I started my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and the gauge said half tank, left work a few hours later, the fuel light was on and after driving a few miles, it went up to a quarter tank. Just filled it up tonight and its on E and the gas light is stuck on. After doing some research, seems to be a common problem.

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #3

Jun 162008

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles

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

At about 60,000 miles I noticed fuel gauge registered empty when I should have had 3/4 of tank, from then on it would register after the car was driven for 10-15 mins, now nothing it stays on empty or rarely it will register less then a 1/4 tank and when it registers empty the dinging goes off every 5 mins telling me I need fuel. Asked dealer and was told I should live with it that it as a very expensive fix. What is that, I travel alot and into areas where there may be no stations for a long distance and in very remote areas. This should not be normal wear and should be covered under warranty, why else would I pay for the extended warranty"?"

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #2

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 #1

Dec 102007

Trailblazer

  • miles
I own a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and I have encountered numerous problems since purchasing this vehicle brand new from the dealer. I have had to have sensors replaced, fuel tank has had to be worked on, and now the main most costly is I am having to replace the transmission. This vehicle has approx. 84,000K miles on it and is only two years old. Please help to see if this should have been a factory recall. I have always had my vehicle serviced at the dealer where I purchased it at.

- Avery, TX, USA

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