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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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
71,499 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Jul 082014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles

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

In lieu of all the current recalls applicable to my vehicle, non of which affect mine. The one recall that GM should be issuing, I have yet to see, which in my concern could be deemed a safety matter. The fuel level sensor malfunctioning, clearly a manufacturing defective part and/or system. Quoting GM's claim on the recall notice in my possession..." General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2006 model year Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. As a result, GM is conducting a safety recall. We apologize for this inconvenience. However, we are concerned about your safety and continued satisfaction with our products. " careful review and consideration on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,

- North Haven, CT, USA

problem #55

Nov 022009

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
After 50,000 miles gas tank sensor stops working. Therefore the gas light remains lit even when tank is full - this also causes the check engine light to come on (resulting in a failed inspection). Per Chevrolet dealership, this is a common problem and happens about every 50K miles. Only solution is to replace entire gas tank and sensor (every 50K miles).

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #54

Nov 252014

Trailblazer

  • miles
My 2006 Chevy Trailblazer fuel gauge indicator went out. When you fill up the tank the gas gauge remains at empty. Now I have no idea how much gas is in the tank. This is a public safety matter. I cannot and should not be expected to know how much gas I have in my car without a properly working gas gauge. If my car runs out of fuel and an accident occurs it would be totally avoidable. It is clear that there have been several hundred complaints regarding this issue and the ntsb opened an investigation into this matter but failed to act. I would be ok with paying to fix this issue if it was a rare occurrence but clearly there have been complaints and GM and ntsb are aware. Ntsb would be complicit if an accident occurs because they did nothing to protect the individuals on the road. If the ntsb cannot make GM recall the vehicles for this safety problem than I am not sure what the ntsb does and I would advocate not funding this entity. Please act on this matter and make GM recall and replace this faulty part before someone dies.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #53

Nov 022009

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

Under a previous recall the dealer replaced a part in the fuel tank and tried to sell us a fuel pump at the same time. My wife now tells me that since this service she has occasionally smelled gasoline inside the vehicle and at times quite strong. At first she thought it was the fumes from other vehicles. I do not drive this vehicle alot, so it has not been noticed by me. Is it because of a complete fill up or is it because there is a seal not installed correctly, I do not know what I do know is that under no circumstances should there be gasoline fumes inside the vehicle, which tells me that any spark of any kind could ignite those fumes.

- Cambridge, MD, USA

problem #52

Oct 212014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at approximately 11:30 a.M. while my husband and I were driving on the West side of the standing rock sioux reservation my 2006 Trailblazer ext caught on fire. We both smelled smoke, parked (didn't turn off the ignition) and flames began to shoot out from underneath the front driver's side of the vehicle. We got out and ran to the West side of the roadway as the fire engulfed the entire front motor area. My purse was still in the burning vehicle and I told my husband he ran back to the burning vehicle to retrieve it. He sustained burns to his hands, face, legs and feet. In addition he received smoke inhalation to a degree of a "black out" stage. We witnessed the tires burn up one after another, beginning with the front driver's side, then the passenger side, the rear driver's and the passenger's side - at this point we moved further away from the burning vehicle as we expected the car to explode once it reached the gas tank area, but somehow the gas tank didn't explode. In fact, the spare tire which sits underneath the gas tank received a slight singe and did not burn (along with the gas tank). The only warning we had was the "smell of smoke" - the Trailblazer's dash warning light did not appear to indicate anything was wrong. In addition, on or about October 25, 2014, another Trailblazer (same area) also burnt up (as reported by bureau of land management).

- Fort Hall, ID, USA

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problem #51

Nov 102014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
We own a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer with 86492 miles on it. Yesterday after filling the vehicle to a full tank of gas. The fuel gauge would drop to empty and the empty tank light will come on.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #50

Feb 072013

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 111,400 miles

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

On 11 Feb 2013, I was getting gas when my fuel gauge began acting crazy. It would go to full then a few seconds later go to empty and my fuel light would go on. I contacted my local dealership who said I should get a letter in the mail concerning this issue because a recall had been initiated. I have yet to receive a letter and after doing research I see there is an open action on this #DP10001. What I need to know is how do I get this letter, I see others comments which state if your vehicle is over 120,000 miles they will not pay for the repair. My vehicle is now over 120,000 miles but when the issue occurred it was not. How do I get this recall initiated? please help.

- Alexandria, LA, USA

problem #49

Sep 072012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Fuel gauge for the Trailblazer would bounce back and forth to empty and the full. This went on for a couple weeks but now only stays on empty.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #48

Dec 112013

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
Bought used, mileage indicated above. The fuel gauge was showing an approximate proper amount at 1/4 tank. On first fuel up, full, the fuel gauge went to show "empty". it stayed like this for an approx. 1/4 tank, then went to the actual fuel amount. This occurred for about the next 5 fill ups, then the fuel gauge would not work at all....always showing empty. This has caused me running out of fuel twice, luckily I was able to stop vehicle safely, both times I was in moderate to heavy traffic. I have found no recalls, but many complaints! what's up with this! I have lost trust in Chevy for not fixing an obvious factory problem!

- Battlefield, MO, USA

problem #47

Jul 072010

Trailblazer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated the fuel gauge displayed the wrong level of fuel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lake Butler, FL, USA

problem #46

Jun 052014

Trailblazer

  • 125,000 miles

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

Went to fill up and when started the vehicle it showed empty and has been going crazy ever since then.

- North Tazewell, VA, USA

problem #45

Aug 022014

Trailblazer

  • 99,740 miles
I stopped to fill my car with gas as I was on a little less than a quarter of a tank. The fuel light had not come on, nor the check engine light. After filling the tank up all the way with fuel, I got in the car and the fuel light came on, and the needle wouldn't leave empty. It stayed this way for about a mile till I got home. I shut my car off in the driveway and waited a few minutes thinking that it must play "catch up, " but when I turned it back on, it went to full immediately, but then immediately went to empty with the fuel light on. As soon as this happened, the check engine light came on as well, and goes on and off, which I suspect has something to do with the sensor in the fuel tank. I googled this problem and found that there are several sites, with a lot of people experiencing the same exact problems. I am now having to set my trip meter so that I don't run out of gas till I get it fixed. Hoping someone looks into this.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #44

Feb 262014

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel level gauge failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who was not able to diagnose the problem. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel pump and the short sending unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 100,000.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #43

Dec 032013

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed an overpowering gasoline odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the fuel rail would need to be replaced because there was a hairline fracture on the fuel rail near the alternator. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Cleveland, GA, USA

problem #42

Oct 042013

Trailblazer

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to the dealer for an unrelated repair when the mechanic stated that the fuel tank was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #41

Sep 082010

Trailblazer

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that after refueling, the fuel level gauge would not register the quantity of the fuel added. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Sylmor, CA, USA

problem #40

Aug 012011

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was providing inaccurate fuel level readings. As a result, the vehicle stalled while the contact was traveling 45 mph. The contact had to set the mileage to zero in order to determine how much fuel was in the vehicle and how many miles she could travel before running out of fuel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000 and the approximate current mileage was 65,000.

- Culpeper , VA, USA

problem #39

May 042013

Trailblazer

  • 90,000 miles
Wife filled Trailblazer with fuel during a trip today. When she returned to vehicle and started it low gas light on gauge cluster lit and fuel gauge went to zero. Vehicle was purchased at 11,000 miles and gas level has never been allowed to fall below 1/4 of a tank so as to prevent fuel pump overheating and failure, hence, this was the first time the light has been on.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #38

Sep 272012

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
Fuel gauge stopped working. At first it dropped to empty, and stayed there for about 15 miles. After driving for about 15 miles the gauge would slowly return to the correct fuel level. Over time, the problem worsened, as it started taking longer and longer for the gauge to recover to the correct level. Now it stays on empty nearly permanently, only occasionally registering some fuel at startup and quickly dropping to empty again.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #37

Apr 152013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 77,011 miles
Fill the car up and the gauge still show empty and the light was on, when I pulled in to the gas station the low fuel light wasn't on and I had a 8th of a tank but when I filled it up it didn't register and the light was on I drove around for couple of days and put $40 in and the light was on and gauge show empty. To me this is a safety issue if I ran out of gas and someone runs into me I should not pay 50% Chevy should pay for it to replace it.

- Spokane, WA, USA

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