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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:
3 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 11
Average Mileage:
53,851 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 9 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #274

Jan 022011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles

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

My 2006 Trailblazer gas gauge has failed. When filled the gauge will show full then gradually fall to empty. It now shows empty after fill-up. I now have to rely on mileage tracking on my mileage odometer trip gauge so not to run out of gas. I have been told the fuel sensor(s) have failed and that a investigation to recall is in effect.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #273

May 212011

Trailblazer

  • 87,000 miles
My 2006 Chevy Trailblazer ran out of gas on a rural road leaving me stranded. The gauge does not register properly. It floats around. I cannot afford the $600 to replace the system at the dealership. I understand that this is a common failure for this model vehicle and think that it should be covered by a recall..

- Gatesville, TX, USA

problem #272

Feb 232011

Trailblazer

  • 82,000 miles
The fuel gauge worked great and eventually started to read empty when there was plenty of fuel in the tank. Sometimes it starts at full and slowly goes to empty. Other times, it goes straight to empty without missing a beat. Now it occurs all the time. Have yet to repair it because I see that supposedly a recall is in the works and there should be!! with as many people that have had the problem including accidents and other extreme inconveniences, GM should definitely do something about it.

- Atlantic Beach, FL, USA

problem #271

May 292011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 106,000 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 fuel gauge malfunctioned and would not display an accurate fuel level reading. The fuel gauge would display the fuel tank as empty after refueling the tank to full capacity. The contact was concerned with the possibility of running out of fuel without warning. The contact had not called the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 106,000. Updated 06/10/11

- Chickamauga, GA, USA

problem #270

Mar 102011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
Chevy Trailblazer - gas gauge inaccurate that caused vehicle to stall on the highway. It said I had more gas than I actually had. Also, the gas gauge was overall not accurate. It was one level and then a few minutes it was much different. I eventually had to have the sensor replaced at the Chevy dealership.

- Loveland, OH, USA

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problem #269

May 152011

Trailblazer

  • 71,000 miles
Fuel gauge began reading inaccurately for a while. At one time, the gauge showed a quarter tank, but then my vehicle shut down while I was driving on redwood hwy in grants pass, or due to being out of gas. Since then, the gauge has completely stopped working. Sometimes, the gauge will show up to a half tank, but the needle quickly falls back to empty. This is a chronic problem. Two mechanics have told me that the sending unit very commonly fails on Trailblazers and that he would need to drop the tank to replace it.

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

problem #268

Sep 012010

Trailblazer

  • 71,000 miles

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

When I filled my car up it would suddenly show it was empty & a check engine icon showed up & yellow low on gas warning light started dinging last fall 2010. When I drove approx 25 to 30 miles it would register gas normally & engine light would go away. I fill up every 2- 3 weeks normally. Then this past February it went haywire & when I fill up it goes to the empty side, engine icon shows up & low on gas light dings & it never registers correctly at all, the gas hand is all over and I have been having to use the mileage gauge to even know how much I might have. It low gas warning will star dinging & I am driving down the road or interstate for no reason & startle me. It has caused me to suddenly jerk the steering wheel because I am startled & that is dangerous in itself. Our family has been owned GM cars from the mid 1990's on and this has caused a very unsafe feeling for me. I have children & grandchildren with me and I feel very unsafe for the 1st time in this vehicle I am so nervous just driving to work & back & my eyes are constantly monitoring the panel when I need to keep focused on my drive. I am so concerned that since the gas gages are so wrong what would just keep it from "sensing" there is no gas and suddenly stop! I would hate for it to take a death to push this problem to be a recall. I am also a consumers report panelist and this will be on their report this year for sure. I have dealt with the noise issues as you drive & small things that happen as time goes on, but this is definitely an issue for recall. I need a safe vehicle and to trade is not the answer yet as I would not be honest in something else buying this car and maybe losing their life please I beg listen to the notices you have received concerning this, these are real as I have sensed myself in their concerns & complaints.

- Lafayette, TN, USA

problem #267

May 192011

Trailblazer

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that after refueling, the fuel gauge began to display inaccurate readings. The check engine and fuel lights also began illuminating on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not yet taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 55,000.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #266

Apr 012011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gage would inaccurately display the fuel tank as empty when full to capacity. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 90,000. Updated 07/08/11 updated 07/15/11

- Miamisburg , OH, USA

problem #265

Apr 182011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Fluctuating fuel gauge. Stays at full or empty regardless of content.

- Sterling Hts, MI, USA

problem #264

May 222008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 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 fuel gauge remained below the full level even when the tank was full with fuel. Additionally, the check engine light intermittently illuminated which started around the same time that the fuel gauge began to malfunction. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage is approximately 80,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 25,000. Updated 07/08/11 updated 07/18/11

- Newton, WI, USA

problem #263

May 222011

Trailblazer 4WD

  • 36,000 miles
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 4dr, lt, 4WD. Fuel gauge stopped working. Fill up tank, gauge goes up to full, but then falls back down to empty. I do not know the level of fuel in my vehicle. Appears to be a common problem among 2003-2006 Trailblazers. Have ran out of fuel on the road. Most likely fuel sensor or cluster.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #262

May 102010

Trailblazer

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed. The fuel gauge was displaying a reading of empty when the vehicle was filled with fuel. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop who advised that the fuel gauge needed to be replaced at a cost of $1200. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Carrolton, KY, USA

problem #261

Aug 012010

Trailblazer

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was defective. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel sending unit in the tank was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 41,000.

- Natick , MA, USA

problem #260

Dec 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 34,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated the fuel gauge would display an empty reading whenever the vehicle was refueled to capacity. After refueling, the check engine light would also illuminate on the instrument panel for a few days. Once a few days elapsed, the check engine light would not longer illuminate and the fuel gauge would begin displaying a reading. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was informed the fuel level indicator failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 34,000 and the current mileage was 36,000. Updated 06/0611 updated 06/15/11

- Elma, NY, USA

problem #259

Mar 162011

Trailblazer

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet trailbalzer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge malfunctioned and would fluctuate from a reading of a full tank to an empty tank. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Tanning , PA, USA

problem #258

Dec 182009

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,310 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the fuel lever sensor at a cost of $247. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,310 and the current mileage was 99,100. Updated 6/8/11 updated 06/16/11

- Dewitt, MI, USA

problem #257

May 122011

Trailblazer

  • 67,400 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that after adding gasoline to the fuel tank he noticed that the fuel gauge would read empty. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 67,400.

- Travelers Rest, SC, USA

problem #256

May 142011

Trailblazer

  • 61,331 miles
The fuel gauge recently stopped working after filling the tank with gas. It reads empty (and the low fuel amber light illuminates and the warning bell chimes). It then will go between 1/4 tank to empty to full to empty (back and forth) even though the tank is completely full. This vehicle suffered the same problem when it was under warranty (it had less than 3 years 36,000 miles). At that time GM replaced the "fuel sensor sending unit" at no charge to me since the vehicle was under warranty. We are not suffering the same problem. I would have to surmise that there must be a defect since it can not possibly be normal to replace a fuel gauge sensor twice on a vehicle that is just now five years old with 61,000 miles on it. I fear for my family's safety since an accident could result should our Trailblazer run out of gas...stall...and subsequently cause an accident.

- Shirleysburg, PA, USA

problem #255

Apr 042011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 81,352 miles
Fuel gauge went down to zero in the tank and alarm bell sounded. Tank was full at the time, then 2 days later it went back to full on the gauge. It is constantly changing. I called the dealer and they said this has been a problem on alot of trail Blazer but there is no recall or free fix by GM. Repairs would be anywhere from $600 to $1200. This is dangerous and I could run out of gas with no warning. This should be fixed by GM free of charge.

- Okemos, MI, USA

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