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.
8.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$500
Average Mileage:
68,300 miles
Total Complaints:
225 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (123 reports)
replace fuel level sensor (78 reports)
replace fuel pump (15 reports)
parts should be recalled (4 reports)
drop out fuel tank and check coil postition (3 reports)
Trailblazer Fuel Gauge Fix - This page talks about why this problem is so common on Trailblazers and how there's actually 2 different problems you can be having, how to tell which problem you've actually got.
Trailblazer Fuel Gauge Site - This page talks about the 2 most common reasons this happens to Trailblazers and how to tell exactly what yours is doing and get it fixed.
If You Have A Problem With Your 2005 Trailblazer Fuel Sensor, Go Here! - Since this seems to be a common issue, be sure to visit the recall information for the Government. If we band together, maybe they will make Chevy look at this flaw of their vehicle.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
Problem Solved - Read the indented section. GM is calling this a "speciel extended warantee" for vehicles of this year/model. Take your TB to your local Chevrolet dealer with your VIN if you have under 100k miles and you will qualify.
Gm To Help With Gas Gauge Repair Cost On 2005-2007 SUVS - This web site gives you the date a letter was to be sent out from GM and it also states that GM is to pay for 1/2 of the cost to replace this faulty part, even if your are no longer in warranty and the problem occurs with in 10yrs and 120,000 miles of when the vehicle was origionally place in service, which ever comes first
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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 5 of 12)
I'm pissed off....almost everybody I know has the same problem. This should ,without question be a recall. I've called GM,tried the local dealer etc....everyone I spoke with is very aware of this issue. Please please please act on this before someone else dies or get hurt as a result of this malfunction.
It all started with the fuel gauge going out, then in less than a year the speedometer went haywire too! I made a complaint to Chevrolet but they refused to acknowledge it as their problem therefore refusing to pay for the repairs. I have been living with this annoying problem for approximately 2 years now. The cost to get this problem fixed is too high so I decided to live with it even though I worry about it cutting off on me while I'm driving!
I cant believe we got this truck from a major dealer in our area and their willing to do nothing...this should absolutely be covered under warranty or by the dealership. I will never trust chevy again
- Amie C.,
Scranton, PA, US
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Had a problem with the fuel sending unit false readings. Went to GM factory service and they told me this is MY PROBLEM !!!!!!!!!!!!! Went to a non GM service dealer to correct this problem .
The gas gauge stopped working and while the car was under warranty the Chevy dealer refused to fix the problem, according to them it was not a manufacture malfunction. We bought the trailblazer because we have kids and my wife has been stranded several times that unfortunately she run out of gas on several occasions, it looks like I am not the only person with this problem, Chevrolet should take care of this problem fixing it its very expensive the dealer gave me an estimate of $1500.
All I ask its for the dealer to fix this problem properly and for all the other owners that might have the same problem.
Come on now only 30000 miles. First the gauge goes then the filter goes. Was beyond the 36 month warranty. Im not a very happy customer with this car. GM knows there is an issue with this part and refuses a recall.
I have a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer and have had many problems with this vehicle since I purchased it. I have had the fuel level sensor fixed twice on this vehicle. The first time was a few years ago but luckily it was still under warranty. Most recent fuel sensor replacement was on March 31, 2011. I began having problems with the fuel gauge sensor again back in August of 2010 when it was giving inaccurate readings. I had unfortunately ran out of gas on the 95 in Maine coming back from vacation. I had my three children in the vehicle with me and it was very scary. Because this part was no longer on warranty, I could not get it replaced for six months later because the fuel gauge sensor was approximately between $400-$500. This was extremely stressful because I constantly had to use the odometer to measure trip distance every time I fueled up. To say the least, this was very annoying and stressful because I was constantly fearing I may run out of gas again. Many people, in their lifetime, have never experienced this problem with their vehicle's fuel gauge sensor, and I have experienced it twice with the Chevrolet Trailblazer. I'm very pleased to finally see that this issue is being investigated and hope that this part will be recalled so I can get my money back and so that others do not have to experience these issues. I feel that this is a very dangerous issue and needs to be corrected as soon as possible.
You know it's funny when you register to sign up to share your concerns/issues with everyone on this website, they make a statement about "sharing your complaints with the world", I had started thinking; that this website would not even of had to be created if they would just take care of their customers. What happened to the Customer is always right.
I bought my TB in 2005. I thought I was the cats meow!!!! I thought it was the best vehicle ever. I owned many Chevy's in the past. Loved the fact it is an American vehicle. Until the fuel gauge went out and was told that it was going to cost 950 American dollars to fix. I called the number on my owners manual just to report the problem. Nothing back, no thanks for calling and letting us know that there was any issue with there vehicle, NOTHING. Great customer service. I also complained about getting shocked everytime I get out of the vehicle. That just pisses me off to know end, and yet nothing can be done to fix that problem either. They did have a suggestion though, To use static guard and spray my seat often. REALLY!!!!
I know you are only allowed to make one complaint per email, but they don't seem to listen why should I.
just bought trailblazer with 80000 miles and gas gauge hasn't worked for a long time the person who sold it to me said. should be a Chevy recall by now wtf!!!
Another electrical issue on this piece of crap! It's always another problem. Either a poor design or poor components or both. No more Chevrolet for me!
This a hugely obvious problem for all trailblazers but Chevrolet won't do anything about.
The dealership wants close to a $1,000 to fix.
Go onto ebay and buy a fuel level sensor for $29 and just replace that. Not the whole fuel sending unit/fuel pump like the dealer and the autoparts stores want you to do.
Google replacing fuel level sensor for trailblazer and directions will come up.
Anybody can do it but it will take a couple hours of your life but will save you hundreds.
Have been waiting on a recall for awhile now, guess it will never happen. I can't wait to get from being upside down on this beast and trade it for something that gets decent mileage and has a reliable gas gauge. If Chevy can't make a reliable gas gauge they can't make a reliable car, count me as out of the Chevy family once this beast is gone, hate to say that, but its the truth. Ford, Kia, or someone else will have my further business!!
This stop working shortly after buying the car, also heard that this is common in these vehicles. I haven't had the money to fix it so I have to gauge my gas by my mileage. This is a big pain, I have always like Chevy vehicles but this particular one is starting to change my mind.
Update from Jul 23, 2014: fuel guage points towards the bottom
I Recently went to the Chevy dealer, they wanted $50.00 just to check it. I declined and decided to go to a private shop for an estimate . I almost choked when they said the repair could cost around $600.00 to $800.00 I will wait for a recall.
This is the second time I have had this problem. The first time it was still under warranty and was fixed by the dealer. Now, the engine light is always on and the fuel gauge is always around empty. I tried getting a new gas cap as I understand the tank must be pressurized for the engine light to go off and the gauge to work properly. That $12 fix did not work. I have run out of gas entering on the onramp of a highway and almost caused a multi car crash. This is a bad and recurring problem. It is clearly a mechanical flaw of some sort.
At this point I will not, I repeat I will not pay over $500.00 to get this gauge fixed, it is a rip off. GM is screwing with us who owns these trailblazers and know that there is a issue. Why not recall and fix the problem. Am planning on a purchasing a new SUV in the coming months and for sure it will not be a GM. This company thinks of there customers last and is only concerned with lining there pockets with government funded money. To hell with this company, no wonder they have to have someone bail them out. If they took care of the customers problems we would continue buying there products.
Today as I was coming to work, 3/20/11 going 70MPH I ran out of gas. Everything quit working. I was able to drift to the side of the highway going uphill. Was a the edge so needless to say when a tractor trailer went by I was nervous as hell that I was going to be hit. But would GM care about this NO.... Run as fast as you can and never buy a GM product.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
With so many complaints of the same kind you would think GM would want to make the problem right.
- jerrynerl, Cincinnati, OH, US