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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:
2 / 32
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
74,595 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 7 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #108

Sep 192012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 105,921 miles

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

Driver door power window and lock control circuit board malfunctioned and started to smoke and failed to operate driver window, also lights inside window and door lock switches no longer works, upon removing switch assembly I found it to be badly melted and black, it appeared to have caught on fire.

- Sinking Spring , PA, USA

problem #107

Sep 012012

Trailblazer

  • 88,000 miles
Having a problem with the vehicle RPM dropping while idling and the head lights flickering and sometimes shutting off. Check engine light come on and the code said it was the "idle air control valve" it only happens when the ac compressor is engaged. The problem seems to go away when the ac is turned off. Have not had it repaired yet because it's a fairly expensive part.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #106

Sep 152010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
I have had several problems with my power windows going up and down and then just not working at all. I smell smoke sometimes but can't locate the cause of the smoke. I have also had problems with the electrical connection to the radio, which also works sometimes but the majority of the time it does not work. I have had this problem for a long time now and need a resolution before my SUV catches fire. I also have problems with the drivers side power door lock which works intermittently-whenever it pleases. I recently started having problems with my rear wiper blade-turn it on and it moves a little then stops. My headlights dim up and down while driving...I have replaced the alternator and the battery and still don't have enough power for some reason-dealerships want to charge a lot of money just to diagnose when it appears that this is obviously a defect in the electrical system of the SUV.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

problem #105

Aug 142012

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,150 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the power window and power lock on the driver side door failed. The dealer was made aware of the failure who informed him that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V406000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages was 58,150. Updated 10/24/12 the consumer stated the drier's side window would not operate and the power door lock did not work. Updated 10/25/12

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #104

Sep 042012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
I have a 2006 Trailblazer and a few weeks ago my driver side control panel stopped working. Could not use my remote to open the door and was unable to put any windows down. I thought there was a short in the wires somewhere because the next day the panel worked. Now, two weeks later I stopped at the store and was getting out of the car and again I could not lock my doors using the button on the control panel. I left the door unlocked and when I came out (within minutes) my door window had gone down on its own while I was in the store. When I got into the car, my daughter and I could smell something burning. She immediately made me go to the garage and have her mechanic check it out. He was able to remove the panel and showed us where the plastic part that goes inside the handle had melted and could have caused a fire in the car. He called around to try and find a replacement part and was finally able to find one and was quoted over $300 for just the part!! then, I had to set up an appointment with the dealer to have it installed because it has to be programmed to my car and I was quoted about $103 for installation!!!! I can not believe this problem has not been listed as a recall after reading all the complaints with the same problem. I plan on getting a phone number from the dealer for the GM corporate office to file an automotive complaint tomorrow. I hope to be reimbursed for this part and the labor charge. This sounds like a serious safety issue to me and thank goodness my car did not start on fire while I was driving. Read more: wot.motortrend.com/NHTSA-opens-investigation-on-2006-2007-Chevy-Trailblazers-for-power-window-switch-issues-169431.html#ixzz26rrcv9ed.

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #103

Sep 112012

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the driver side window started opening and closing independently. In addition, the side mirror started moving forward and backward independently and without activation. After parking the vehicle, the engine would shut itself off and the entire electrical system would become inoperable. Also, none of the doors could be unlocked and the failure would recur for several minutes before the contact would be able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who advised that the power window module was defective, causing all of the electrical system to become inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 12V406000: (electrical system) but her VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who confirmed that the contact's VIN was not included in the recall, offering no further assistance. The failure mileage was 71,000. Updated 10/10/12 updated 10/10/2012

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #102

Dec 032010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 48,000 miles

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

Gas gauge began to malfunction in December. It would go from full to empty every once in a while. Over time it got worse and worse, until now, where it does not work at all.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #101

Sep 052012

Trailblazer

  • 69,100 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that when she entered the vehicle, she smelled a burning odor. The contact was unaware of where the odor was coming from however, she later discovered a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V406000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed her that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 69,100.

- Morristown, PA, USA

problem #100

Aug 062012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle windows open and close randomly. The front driver panel controls all windows and will close the windows randomly if open. My child has been close to injured due to this. The side view mirror will randomly move in the downward direction while I am driving. The front driver door will stay locked even after turning the vehicle in park and shutting the vehicle off, locking me in. The manual switch to unlock the driver door doesn't always work either, so I need to climb over to the passenger side of the vehicle to get out. All these occurrences are dangerous to me and my children and I would like this to be addressed. I have contacted the dealership and GM and they said I do not fall under the recall due to my location, even though I spend a significant amount of time in the northeast coastal area. The dealer also refused to fix the problem saying they don't have the protocol on the recall repair of this vehicle. GM has that record. Updated 08/11/12

- Danielsville, GA, USA

problem #99

May 012012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving 60 mph when a short caused the power door locks and window switches to function intermittently until becoming inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 12V406000 (visibility:power window devices and controls )however the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not eligible under the recall based on the state in which she resided. The vehicle had not been repaired. The mileage was unavailable. Updated 9/25/12 updated 10/04/12

- Woodstock , GA, USA

problem #98

Aug 042012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 89,880 miles

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

While on vacation in NY I went to move my Trailblazer to be able to pack up for the trip home and when moving it I noticed a strong smell of electrical fire and noticed smoke coming from the area around the drivers door master window switch. I quickly turned the truck off and pulled the switch plate out of the door but it was to late. The damage had already been done. The switch had shorted and melted all of the ribbon cable in the switch and rendered it inoperable. There was a slight misty rain when all of this occurred, I am just glad it happened in the driveway and not on the highway. I called and talked with Chevy and they told me there was no recall for this and there was nothing they could do to help and then stated that it was VIN specific. So which is it no recall or VIN specific?

- Pickens, SC, USA

problem #97

Aug 202012

Trailblazer

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet trail Blazer. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 35 mph when the headlights and the control panel lights illuminated intermittently. The front driver side window also failed to work and a burning smell was emitted inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 92,000.

- Del City, OK, USA

problem #96

Aug 072012

Trailblazer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer est. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, burning fumes started to come inside the vehicle. The contact mentioned that smoke was emitting from the driver side window control panel and a result, the panel melted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000 and the current mileage was 138,100...updated 09/12/12 updated 09/12/2012...updated 10/19/12 the consumer stated the driver's side mirror stopped working and the door lock and top half of the driver's seat no longer moved. Updated 10/25/12

- Wise , VA, USA

problem #95

Aug 132012

Trailblazer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
I was driving down a highway when my driver side door started smoking, no visible fire but clearly black smoke. I continued to pullover and try to exit my vehicle. When I pulled over I tried to open the door but it did not work, so I continued to get out my passenger door. Upon my own further inspection I opened the master control unit was melted.....updated 08-24-12

- Oceanside, NY, USA

problem #94

Apr 152011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
Initially the interior lights as well as the head lights will flicker while the car is running in park. The drivers side window stopped working in April 2012. The other three windows continued to work. June 2012 the radio began to cut out when hitting a bump in the road. The dash radio lights would go blank and the clock reset to 12:00. This occurred on at least 4-5 occasions. Other times when hitting a bump the radio would make a static cut out sound but wouldn't fully go out. July 2012 on 3-4 different occasions all of the dash lights came on at once while driving down the road, the gas gauge dropped to empty on a full tank and the ding ding ding sound came on while driving. August 19, 2012, after driving about 8 miles the car smelled really funny like burning rubber or wire. Sniffing around the smell was originating from the front drivers side dash/door hinge area. At this time the rear drivers side window stopped working. The two remaining passenger windows continue to work, however hours later the smell still remains in the car.

- Quincy, IL, USA

problem #93

Jan 152007

Trailblazer

  • 7,800 miles
This not a formal complaint, simply information. We had a 2006 Trailblazer that had the power equipment switchplate melt down when the vehicle was garaged. When I parked it the windows were up and when I went to the garage 2 hours later the drivers window was down and the smell of smoke came from inside the drivers door panel. Switchplate was in-operative. My point is GM know about this as early as 2007 and neglected to do anything about it. This Agency almost killed off Toyota for allegedly hiding known defects; perhaps it is GM, S time in the chair? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- North Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #92

Jul 052011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 113,845 miles
A 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The air conditioning unit, harness and the master switch on the drivers side window failed. The check engine light illuminated whenever the vehicle was turned off. The master switch malfunction prevented all the windows from working properly. Only 1 speaker works radio plays at low volume.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #91

Aug 112012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
My 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driver side door caught on fire sometime early morning while we slept. Now my vehicle will not start and driver side door and window module is totally melted. I have had issues with other things prior to this. My door chimes stopped working. My air will not blow out of the vents and my radio speakers are not working. My teenager drives this vehicle so this is a big concern for me. I really would love GM to step up to the plate and honor their product. I feel taken advantage of. I have seen websites with complaint after complaint with the Trailblazer's electrical problems. We need a voice. Someone who has the power or pull to force Chevy to recall the electrical issues regarding their workmanship or the quality of their product. Updated 8/17/12

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #90

Mar 012012

Trailblazer

  • 122,000 miles
Our Trailblazer has the service engine light on and off constantly. Had it checked by our regular mechanic with the tester and it read the thermostat needed replacing which was done. The light is still going on and off and having it rechecked the reading said a problem with the cooling fan. Checked fan and nothing. The headlights go on and off. The windshield wipers come on by themselves and then off. When it is raining they only work on fast speed. The window cleaner comes on when the wipers due which is hazardous when it is raining causing a visibility problem. I will be going to the dealer with the check engine light as we are going on a long trip in two weeks. Didn't know there were so many problems with this vehicle as listed on the complaints section.

- Altoona, FL, USA

problem #89

Aug 062012

Trailblazer

  • 47,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the air conditioning unit, harness and the master switch on the driver's side window failed. The check engine light illuminated whenever the vehicle was turned off. The master switch malfunction prevented all the windows from working properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the master switch and the air conditioning unit were defective and needed to be replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage and current mileages were 47,500.

- Bordentown, NJ, USA

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