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CarComplaints.com Notes: It would be ill-advised to blaze any trails with the 2004 Trailblazer. Its faulty fuel gauge could leave you stranded.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 11
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,256 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.

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 9 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #220

Jan 162011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles

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

The problem is on my 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The entire dash gauges malfunction occasionally, from speedometer to battery gauge to oil pressure gauge to water temp gauge to RPM gauge. I am one of thousands of Trailblazer owners who have this problem not only in the usa, but around the world, just read the forum on edmunds.com and you will see. I usually temporarily fix this problem but turning the vehicle on and off until the gauges fully reset, but that puts a lot of strain on the starter. Please open an investigation to trigger a recall because Chevy dealers want us owners to shell out $100 to figure out the problem we already know and then want to gouge us for another $700-$1000 to fix. That is totally uncalled for, for a part on the vehicle which is vital to drivers, the instrument gauges.

- Tukwila, WA, USA

problem #219

Feb 012010

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the speedometer always displayed an improper reading. The improper readings can vary from 0 to 120 mph and all of the speeds between. The failure was not diagnosed by the dealer or a local mechanic. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.

- Mattoom, IL, USA

problem #218

Jun 162010

Trailblazer

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 50 mph the oil pressure gauge and the tachometer on the instrument cluster stopped working properly. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer for the failure. The failures were intermittent at first and recently stopped working. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was 83,000.

- Sherwood, AR, USA

problem #217

Dec 252010

Trailblazer

  • 92,000 miles

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

Speedometer stuck/instrument panel on christmas day we were traveling to families house to celebrate the holidays. 1.5 hours into the trip, the speedometer went crazy and was at 90 when we were going 65. Pulled over and when we stopped it increased to 120 mph. Since we had another 3.5 hrs of our trip and it was unsure exactly what was wrong (since there were no dealership/service stations open), we turned around and went home. Nice christmas that we had, not. On Monday (the next day the dealership was open) I called to get an appt. And couldn't' get in until Tuesday. Went in Tuesday and of course charged me a diagnostic fee, when I could tell from searching the internet what was wrong (by now the speedometer was straight down between 0 and 120). 1.5 hrs later the dealership tells me it is the instrument panel (surprise, surprise) and that they would have to order since they have none in stock. It would take 4-5 business days. The earliest we're looking at getting is next week, now 10 days past the day it happened. I asked the dealership for a loaner and they offered me enterprise rental for $40/day (my expense). They could offer me nothing else, sending me on my way. Ok, Chevy...since this is a huge problem, the least you could do is stock dealerships with the panels, especially since this is a large dealership. It is not safe to be driving around with no working speedometer. Did I mention this is also my vacation week....nice, being stuck at home cause you have an inoperable vehicle. Chevy needs to step up to the plate and make this right with their costumers. I have been a faithful owner since 1994. A $415 part/plus labor is ridiculous when there have been so many complaints, you need to recall this.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #216

Oct 252010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
Instrument panel gauges stopped working. Tachometer, speedometer, oil pressure and voltage gauge randomly stop working.

- Richmond, MN, USA

problem #215

Oct 152010

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 40 mph, the speedometer stopped functioning properly. The contact stated that the speedometer registered 115 mph when he was only driving 40 mph. The fuel and RPM gauges were also not functioning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000 and the current mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #214

Dec 052010

Trailblazer

  • 104,400 miles

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

2004 Chevy Trailblazer has instrument cluster failure...tachometer stuck at "maximum", and dealer reports all the gauges will be unreliable, shortly. Have read dozens of these complaints, but GM (who* saved) won't make it right?

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #213

Jun 012010

Trailblazer

  • miles
I own a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer; the tachometer, speedomoter and other gauges started to fluctuate and now the speedometer never works properly, the tachometer comes and goes and now the oil gauge is not showing the proper reading (I had it checked out to make sure I had oil and no other issues). I am told a new cluster board is needed at the cost of $600-$700. Chevy is more than aware of this being a "typical/known" issue and I cannot understand why there has not been a recall on this forcing them to replace these cluster boards. I have purchased a gps which has the speedometer option so I know at what speed I am traveling; but if the oil and gas gauges go; I have no choice to fork over $6-700.00. Why is Chevrolet not being held accountable for faulty equipment they installed in their $37,000 vehicles" who else can I go to in attempts to get someone's attention to get Chevrolet to take responsibility"

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

problem #212

Apr 012006

Trailblazer

  • 20,000 miles
I bought a 2004 Trailblazer with a factory installed tow package, including electric hookup. When I hooked it to a travel trailer, the tblazer sent to charge to the trailer for battery charge, interior lights, etc. The dealer, gold motors in newport, Oregon, said there was no problem. However, it still refused to work. I took the car to a local mechanic. He discovered several wires in the box housing the wiring manifold at the front driver side of the engine were cross-wired. He straightened it out at the cost of two hours labor. If this is the standard quality of GM quality, they should be allowed to go bankrupt.

- Yachats, OR, USA

problem #211

Dec 142008

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving at an unknown speed when the fuel gauge began to fluctuate back and forth between different readings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the instrument cluster was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The voltage gauge and RPM gauge had since stopped functioning and the speedometer would fail intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Norco, CA, USA

problem #210

Oct 152010

Trailblazer

  • 62,000 miles

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

Fuel, engine temperature, tachometer not displaying correct data. Fuel and temp gauge displays show needle pinned (below lower half of gauge) and tach sometimes does not work or shows zero at idle. This seems to be a common problem and occurance with this make and model. Obviously, the most important is the gas gauge... not knowing exactly how much fuel is in the tank is hazardous and annoying. I have to "guess" when to fuel up, especially on longer trips.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #209

Nov 262010

Trailblazer

  • 66,547 miles
Speedometer show 40 doing 60 or so can not really tell how fast I am going tachometer not working right reading on the internet this is a severe problem GM recall trucks and some other models why not the Trailblazers

- Narrows, VA, USA

problem #208

Feb 182009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
It started with the speedo going crazy, you will be going 45-50 and the speedo says you are going 120. At a stop sign it will say you are going 40. Had it checked dealer says it's your computer it happens all the time. Winner Chevrolet, colfax ca. Next temp gauge goes to 260 degrees. We pull over have it towed in mech. Says its fine its a computer problem. Now the gas gauge and volts gas empty and way over charging. Mech. Says it a computer.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

problem #207

Nov 232009

Trailblazer

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the speedometer malfunctioned while driving causing the contact to be unware of how fast she was driving. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not been inspected or repaired by a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #206

Jan 012009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
2004 Chevy Trailblazer all gauges have failed. One by one, speedometer, gas, oil, temp, tack. I feel this is a safety issue that GM should address.

- Gordonsville, VA, USA

problem #205

Jan 172007

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Gauges stop working on Chevrolet Trailblazer 2004. Tachometer, speedometer, water pressure gauge, fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, voltage gauge. This is a safety hazard and should have a recall on it from General Motors.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #204

Nov 012010

Trailblazer

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Upon starting the vehicle, the contact noticed that all of the gauges on the instrument panel were stuck on 0. when the contact turned the vehicle off and restarted it, it funtioned correctly. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop but the failure could not be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000 and the current mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #203

Dec 062009

Trailblazer

  • 84,000 miles
I own a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer and the speedometer has progressively gotten to the point of being completely inoperable. The first time I noticed the speedometer read 120 mph when I was driving on the highway were the speed limit was 55 mph and I was driving with the flow of the traffic. I turned the car off and the speedometer still read 50mph. As of a month ago my fuel, oil, battery, and temp gauge are all inop; the needles never move. With this my battery, seatbelt, ABS, and parking park stay illuminated. This is a safety concern because I never know how fast I'm going, how much fuel I have, if my car is running hot, I have no warning indication of anything going on with my vehicle.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #202

Oct 222010

Trailblazer

  • 100,197 miles
Oil pressure gauge became unreliable and had different reading each time the car was driven. Most recently the gauge needle moves past the upper limits of the gauge and points straight down at the fuel gauge. Two days ago, the speedometer began acting in the same erratic manner and will give various readings including exceeding 120 mph and will point straight down at the steering column. It may read anywhere from 30 mph to 75 mph at various time when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is off. Bottom line is that I am no longer to check my speed in comparison to speed limits or speed warning signs when in mountainous terrain.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #201

Sep 272010

Trailblazer

  • 82,888 miles
Instrument cluster becoming unreliable, specifically the speedo and RPM. If the actual speed is 55 mph I will get one of three readings: The actual speed, a higher speed of any value, a lower or negative speed of any value. Has been going on for more than a year. Had heard that the 2004 Avalanche had a recall on the instrument cluster and wonder if the two vehicles uses the same part.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

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