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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:
4 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,530 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.

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 10 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #252

Oct 032011

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was inoperable and the speedometer was permanently stuck at 20 mph. In addition, the fuel warning light was constantly illuminated despite how much fuel was in the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected. The current mileage is 82,000 and the failure mileage was 80,000 updated 11/16/11

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #251

Aug 312011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
My speedometer began to work improperly. Sometimes it would not go all the way back to zero when the ignition was switched off, or it would be functioning properly and then for no apparent reason the needle would go all the way around and end up pointing at the park, neutral, reverse area at the bottom of the speedometer. Now the speedometer does not work at all and the tachometer has started to work intermittently. It is doing the same thing that the speedometer was doing. Right now the vehicle is off but the tachometer needle is on 3. I just had the fuel sensor gauge replaced under Chevrolet's "special policy" because it had ceased working as well. I have serious reservations about the integrity of the other gauges because while they appear to be working I do not know. I contacted cheverolet and was told that while other makes and models had been recalled mine had not. When I inquired as to whether the components for my instrument cluster came from the same supplier as that of the recalled vehicles I was told that they would not disclose that information to me because it was confidential. They did say they had other complaints similar to mine but at this time they were not offering any assistance to consumers and did not know if or when they ever would. I was told that due to the age of my vehicle (a 2005) that I could expect certain repairs. I do expect certain repairs however a total failure of the instrument cluster, that has been documented on my make and model as well as other Chevrolet, is not one of them. It is frustrating and disheartening to me that while Chevrolet is aware of the problem they knowingly disregard the concerns of their customers, especially as the malfunction of a fuel gauge, speedometer or any other instrument panel component could have serious consequences.

- Hempstead, TX, USA

problem #250

Dec 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle fuel gauge was defective. The contact mentioned that the gauge would display that the fuel tank was empty right after refueling. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered to pay for half of the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 96,780. The dash light will go on and off by themselves the door chime does not always work the radio does not always work goes on and off and loud then quite. Updated 11/03/2011

- Monticello, KY, USA

problem #249

Oct 032011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 66,000 miles

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

I have been hearing a clicking noise and my car had begun sounding like a jet engine taking off for the last 3 days - very noisy. I took it to pep boys where I was told that it is normal for the Trailblazer to begin making this noise shortly after 60K miles. I was told the serpentine belt needed to be replaced, tensioner pulley and the idler pulley. I had the new parts installed. None of my warning lights came on the dashboard so I assumed was well as there was no other indication that something was wrong. Driving my car within 24 hours of being fixed, the fan clutch seized and my water pump burst causing car to overheat in the middle of an intersection where my car then stalled putting me and my children at risk for injury. The car almost caught on fire it was smoking severely. Someone helped me move my car out of the busy intersection and I called my husband and a tow truck to come get the car. When I got home and looked up the problems again on the dealer website, I found hundreds of forums where the fan clutch has been mentioned and the water pump too. A fan clutch according to the mechanics I surveyed stated they should last at least 100K or more. This has been brought to GM and they ignore it. It is a safety issue. Additionally, my speedometer hasn't worked for at least a year and when I called Chevy they wanted to charge me $700 to replace it when it is not my issues. I didn't cause it. Not knowing what speed you are going is definitely a safety hazard and can cause accidents or tickets.I am attaching a forum (this is just one of hundreds I found online)www.edmunds.com/Chevrolet/Trailblazer/2004/consumer-discussions.html where people are having the same safety issues I am and GM has ignored them. My car could have caught on fire today and I had my 4 yr old daughter with me. Not a position I ever want to be in. Please issue a recall.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #248

Mar 092011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 56,651 miles
Faulty speedometer - reads 60mph when at a stop - under warranty - dealership replaced instrument cluster panel current problems - gas gauge reads empty when tank jus filled, lights dim and brighten intermittently, replaced battery 9/2011 thinking problem with battery when car just died on me, check engine light just goes off and on, replaced front left head lamp and within 1 week the same bulb is dead.

- Richmond Heights, OH, USA

problem #247

Nov 092010

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
Just one day we got in the car to head to the grocery store and as we were heading there I looked down and the speedometer was at 20 when I was clearly doing 55. I pulled up to a stop light and shut the car off then restarted hoping it would fix itself and nothing. I has never worked right since then. I went to the local Chevy dealer and asked to see if there were any recalls on this issue and they told me that there are recalls on every Chevy SUV and truck except Trailblazer and told me to input a complaint to see if they would recall this issue. I asked them how to do that and they said to contact Chevy. They were not helpful. The bull**** thing is that every Chevy truck and SUV from 2003 to 2007 use the same instrument panel so you can't tell me that this paticular vehicle is not like the Tahoe, suberban, or Silverado that has the same issue as I am having. I am pissed that I have to pay for a faulty part that Chevy knows is an issue.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #246

Sep 192011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

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

While driving this morning on the highway, my speedometer stopped working. Now the gauge is point down and will not register.

- Worcester , MA, USA

problem #245

Sep 132010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Fuel guage quit working.

- Rogersville, MO, USA

problem #244

Dec 012009

Trailblazer

  • 7,600 miles
First was the right tail light caught fire and blew fuses, then I get power surges that cause the vehicle to accelerate randomly at the worst times and/or will also stall out, which can be potentially very dangerous or end in a fatal accident, it drops in rpms and lights dim then it accelerates... and the last thing is that the fuel gauge fluctuates dramatically and you can never tell how much fuel you really have... drive 10 miles at quarter of a tank and it either stays close to the same spot or drops and the light comes on for low fuel.

- Monongahela, PA, USA

problem #243

Jan 152011

Trailblazer

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed that the speedometer would fail intermittently and the oil gauge failed completely and would not provide a reading. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician advised that the instrument panel cluster had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

- Opp, AL, USA

problem #242

Aug 152011

Trailblazer

  • 51,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph, she noticed that the speedometer would display higher speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the speedometer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

- Tuscon, AZ, USA

problem #241

Dec 072007

Trailblazer

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated the entire instrument panel would operate intermittently. In addition, the fuel gauge and odometer displayed inaccurate readings while driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the instrument cluster would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

- Lewisburg, TN, USA

problem #240

Aug 102011

Trailblazer

  • 66,500 miles
Fuel gauge has failed. Gauge reads empty, even though fuel tank is full. There are sporadic fluctuations of the needle, but gauge is no longer reliable for determining fuel level in the vehicle. Numerous reports of similar failures in the Chevy Trailblazer / GMC Envoy line of vehicles indicate it is a failure of the fuel sending unit.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #239

Aug 172011

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. In the last few months the blower for my air/heat/defrost has been acting up. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. just recently in the last few days it stopped working completely. I can't use my defrost to clear my windows or use my air or heat. I was told the resistor and harness (which starts to melt and burn) is causing the blower not to work. I checked with mechanics and on line and there isn't a recall on the resistor and/or harness. There are a lot of complaints and was told that it is happening in all Chevy.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

problem #238

Jul 012011

Trailblazer

  • 99,000 miles
2005 Chevy Trailblazer. Heat/ac stops working on 5..then eventually 4 stops and so on until none of it works. The wires get to hot and melt together. I know so many people that have had this problem yet Chevy still doesn't recall it!?

- Ashmore, IL, USA

problem #237

Oct 212006

Trailblazer

  • 89,442 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the speedometer, fuel gauge and the battery voltage indicator on the instrument panel were all operating erratically. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that the vehicle did not fall under the age or mileage requirements to be repaired. The contact was told by the dealer that the instrument cluster was failing. The failure mileage was 89,442 and the current mileage was 108,000. Updated 09/28/2011

- Jacksonville Beach, FL, USA

problem #236

Jun 012010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
About a year ago my speedometer would randomly show a loss or gain of speed. About 8 months ago it quit working all together. It does not register in the numbers. During the same time I ran out of gas twice when my gage had registered fuel and the low fuel light was not registered. It has since quit working all together. I recently called to ask how much an instrument cluster would be to replace and was given a total of about $600 this is a very disheartening situation. I have read all other complaints on line and they say the same thing. I believe that this is a very serious issue and am extremely disappointed that it hasn't been resolved by the company.

- Montrose, CO, USA

problem #235

Mar 102011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated the fuel gauge and oil gauge failed and no longer displayed readings. The contact stated that they did not know the oil pressure or the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage is 71,941. Updated 07/21/11 updated 07/25/11

- Noico, CA, USA

problem #234

Nov 012009

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
Erratic fuel gauge, reports no fuel even when fuel available, reports 1/4 tank of fuel available and no fuel may be available or I may have just filled the tank; also reports no fuel or low fuel when tank has been filled. Vehicle has stalled out and would not start; was out of fuel but gauge indicated 1/4 tank of fuel. Oil gauge has also become erratic; and goes from showing no oil pressure to low oil pressure to very high pressure. Have to pull over immediately and check oil level at side of road or where ever available to do so at time. Not always safe area to pull off. Both issues create very hazardous and dangerous situations for the driver and passengers in the vehicle.

- Huntingtown, MD, USA

problem #233

May 132011

Trailblazer

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the gasoline gauge and the speedometer failed. She was unable to see how fast she was traveling or whether or not she had a sufficient amount of fuel in the vehicle. In addition, the headlights would also shut off on an intermittent basis which caused her to change the bulbs frequently. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- Springfield, VT, USA

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