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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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,104 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.

2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

May 222021

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

Several months ago, I was at a fast food drive up window. I had my drivers side window down while paying for my food and receiving my food. It was down pouring and the inside of my door got pretty wet. I wiped off the rain as best as I could but everything was soaked. The very next day the drivers side door controls started to go haywire. The window button stopped working and my door locks only worked occasionally until they stopped working all together. My side mirrors can no longer be adjusted from the drivers seat. I have to get out of the vehicle and manually adjust both driver and passenger side mirrors. I'm not sure if there is a short in the wiring from the rain or just what is going on. I asked a parts dealer to see how much it would cost to replace the drivers side door controls module and he was of no help except to say its a recall part because of moisture. I've looked this up and I see there was a recall but my VIN isn't on the recall list. I don't understand why my vehicle is excluded considering this appears to be exactly what this incident generated the recall in the first place. I further looked into the investigation you had on the Trailblazer's outside of the salt belt states having the same issues with the moisture and issues that arise from the damaged door controls. I'm not sure if I would be considered in the expanded recall but I'm certain I should be as this is exactly why my drivers side door controls failed. I feel this is a huge safety issue as i don't know if there is a electrical/wiring short and not being able to adjust the side mirrors is an impairment. There was no warning to let me know anything was wrong. The system just went out just that fast. Please advise me how to proceed with my next steps to get this resolved. Also, my low beams went completely out the other day and replacing the bulbs didn't fix that issue. I do have a recall scheduled for January to get the headlights fixed and I'd like them to fix both issues. Thank you.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #31

Oct 302020

Trailblazer

  • 123,826 miles
When driving you can only go up to 30 miles an hour, and rpms go very high and vehicle does not go anywhere.

- Auburn, MI, USA

problem #30

Mar 072020

Trailblazer

  • miles
I purchased the vehicle from usados auto sales and the owner told me the car had 185,000 on it. Well after paying cash and waiting 27 days I finally receive the title and it says it has 260,000. The bill of sale he signed when he bought it also stated that the actual mileage wasn't correct. He filed my bill of sale out and didn't inform me or even right back there form he lied to me and said it was 185,000 so I contacted him and he said it was something he overlooked to just write on my bill of sale the actual mileage and I told him no I would you have spent $2500 on a vehicle with 260,000 miles and he refuses to help me. Now the vehicles check engine light is on. It leaking oil and the radio doesn't work and it keeps blowing fuses.

- Marietta, SC, USA

problem #29

Mar 112020

Trailblazer

  • 185,010 miles

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

Whether the car is turned on, or off with or without key in the ignition, it has a small speaker or tweeter that steadily stays making a faint buzz. The center console is very loose, and if you press or knock up against the right side or the back side, it becomes louder and/or quieter. Then while in auto (2wd-4WD^or4wdl) and driving, the transmissions feels to not switch geer at the right time, or from drive to reverse and back to drive it jolts forward or back really hard.

- Marietta, SC, USA

problem #28

Mar 102020

Trailblazer

  • 185,000 miles
When turn the car off and remove the key from the ignition, there are two speakers that continue to make static noise, whether I have opened the door or not. If I bump or hit the center console it will make the speakers louder or turn off. The check engine light is on for multiple codes, and I have worn out shocks. The shocks should make me feel as if I am gliding, bur I feel and jerk to every bump.

- Marietta, SC, USA

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problem #27

Nov 052019

Trailblazer

  • 241,539 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel, oil and speedometer gauge failed to provide an accurate reading. The contact also stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 241,539. The VIN was not available.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #26

Jun 152018

Trailblazer

  • 165,000 miles

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

Head lamps go off at night while driving won't come back on, stabilitrack shuts off an warning bells go off for no reason. Now out of the blue transmission will not work. Only has 1st and 2nd, while driving on any road in town or on. Highway.

- Grinnell, IA, USA

problem #25

Jul 312016

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer writes in regards to transmission issues, electrical system issues, driver seat problems and other vehicle issues.

- Cumberland, KY, USA

problem #24

Mar 012017

Trailblazer

  • 120,000 miles
There is a defect with the vehicles electronic control module. This is not something that the consumers are causing, this defect causes the vehicle to shut off at random times, and will not start back up for several minutes. This is extremely dangerous. I have searched hundreds of forums on a fix for this only to find hundreds of thousand of people that are dealing with the same thing. Chevy needs to step up and take responsibility for this! I am sure there have been lives lost because of the vehicles shutting off on busy highways, and streets. When this happens you are a sitting duck, and have to wait till the vehicle decides it wants to start back up. This happens while driving on the highway, or city roads. At random intervals. It is extremely dangerous, and I am amazed that there has not been a recall for this. I have seen in Chevy online forums that this affects several years of the Trailblazers, and Envoy too.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #23

Oct 092015

Trailblazer

  • 165,000 miles
The front drive axle that goes through the oil pan housing became off balanced, and the vibrations caused sequential breakdowns through all of the connecting parts during normal use, such as the oil pan axle seals, front differential seals, front differential internal gears, cv joints, wheel seals, and the corresponding front axle systems. When the wheel seal vibrated loose, the gear lube sprayed over the engine block, and caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to the shop. The mechanic predicts that the offending off-balanced axle may lock up while driving if not replaced. Note: The date listed is the date of the fire in the engine compartment, but there are many ongoing issues with all of the parts listed, especially the internal disintegration of the front differential.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #22

Apr 282016

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

Vehicle shut off while driving on highway lost power almost got into accident and was blocking trafficc. Other vehicles like mine have the same problem.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 222016

Trailblazer

  • 35 miles
My wife was driving our 2006 Chevy Trailblazer, and without any notice while in drive it stop accelerating. All the gears were affected (D, R,1,2,3 ) we turned off the vehicle, turned it back on and the vehicle drove for a few miles and then again without notice did the same thing.

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #20

Aug 052015

Trailblazer

  • 93,345 miles
Driving along at 30 mph and stepped on gas to speed up to 45 mph which was the new speed limit, when tried to accelerate I had nothing. It was like the transmission was in neutral. I have no R/D/D3/D2/D1, not even in 4WD. The transmission is gone. I was coming home from a 40 mile trip, there was no warning of any problems at all. It ran fine the whole trip and the nothing. Thx

- Coaldale, PA, USA

problem #19

Feb 012015

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 116,000 miles
4WD switch no longer lit up to show what it was in (4 options: 2wd, auto, 4H, 4L). Control module changed and now stability control is permanently lit up as well as original problem exists. Other than to continue to change part after part after part and sink thousands of dollars into an undiagnosible problem there doesn't seem to be an answer. Meantime the vehicle is unsafe to drive.

- Canton, NY, USA

problem #18

Dec 262014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
4WD disengages and becomes 2wd only 4WD will not reengage.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #17

Apr 072014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
Hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear all the time!

- Tropic , UT, USA

problem #16

May 252013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
My wife was coming home from work. She started her car and backed up, went to shift to drive and something broke stranding he in a empty parking lot on a Saturday. She was in a traffic lane and blocking the handicap parking space. I have owned cars for many years and never had such a thing happen. Why did you make an all steel cable and mountings and then put a tiny plastic end on it that brakes all the time. The parts house and the service shops all said it happens all the time and you must buy a replacement from the dealer. They know it is a problem as they must stock the cable assemblies that cost a lot to change. Please redesign them and change the plastic end to a stainless steel end and retrofit all cars, SUV's and trucks that use this part.

- Kol;Oa, HI, USA

problem #15

Feb 252014

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles
Transmission / sun shield failure: Leaving work, I pulled out of the parking lot onto a major road. I accelerated to approximately 35-40 mph and heard a tremendous loud noise underneath my car and the car started to decelerate on it's own. I immediately thought I ran over something made of steel that was in the roadway, but there was nothing there. I was barely able to pull off the road because, although the car was running, the car would not move forward. I called a mechanic friend who advised me that 2 of the 4 gears are working. It is a transmission problem. After researching online I see that there is a sun shield / sun shell problem with these Trailblazers (and Envoy, etc) and I really think this issue should be investigated for a recall. If I had been on a major highway, I am afraid of what would have happened to me.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #14

Nov 132013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 108,500 miles
Changing out the air filter as part of routine self check and maintenance. Decided to check the oil and other fluids at the same time. The oil reservoir is bone dry. My oil is changed at regular intervals, at the same shop, since I've owned it. The oil light/sensor didn't come on. The onstar report doesn't show any low oil level. Maybe this is a built in feature from Chevrolet - the "throw a rod in the engine induction system"!!! vehicle is always serviced at the dealer, but they usually don't find anything worth fixing until you bill can come out to at least $1000. The tv commercials they run about Chevy trucks are "like a rock" are very true. This Trailblazer is as useless as a rock.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Nov 092013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
This SUV is nothing short of a rolling hazard. The "check engine" light is on and off, again, for the past 6 days. Tried to start it up this morning and the engine light was on. As soon as I was about to back out of the driveway, the vehicle started to idle in a manner that caused the rpms to crank way up and then plunge until almost shutting the engine down with violent shaking and loud roaring noise. Yesterday, the stabilitrak warnings (2) came on the dashboard - I was only going 3 mph exiting a parking lot. There was no inclement weather and the road was bone dry. I haven't been able to pick up power and it seems like the more I press on the gas pedal, the slower I go. I live in houston and the traffic conditions really don't allow for a "sudden stop" or loss of power on a freeway where people are traveling at an average speed of 70 mph. I have had 4 other instances of this "check engine" light in 3 yrs. The dealer isn't much help and GM Chevy is no help at all!!!! the tv commercials they run about Chevy trucks are "like a rock" are very true. This Trailblazer is as useless as a rock.

- Houston, TX, USA

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