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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:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,216 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #10

Nov 222006

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The fuel gauge on the instrument control panel inaccurately displays the vehicles fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the fuel tank level system was repaired. The repair did not remedy the failure. The current mileage was 80000. The failure mileage was 33000. Updated 12/7/09 the consumer stated after the tank was filled with the gas, there was still a ringing sound as if there was no gas in the vehicle. The fuel gauge would drop even when the tank was full. The water pump and fan clutch was replaced. Updated 12/08/09

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

problem #9

Nov 072009

Trailblazer

  • miles
Headlights intermittently 'flash' for a second during first 5-10 minutes of driving. Have replaced alternator and idler pulley. GM suggests letting vehicle idle 1+ minute after start before engaging gear; this sometimes works. Dangerous and distracting to other motorists, as it appears to them like my vehicle is flashing its highbeams.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #8

Mar 012009

Trailblazer

  • 46,000 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer with 46,000 miles and the transmission, idler pulley, and water pump already had to be replaced.

- Safb, TX, USA

problem #7

Mar 152009

Trailblazer

  • 58,000 miles

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

I have been reporting this same problem for over 4 years to onstar and GM that I had issues with the headlights dimming upon stopping at going. I have called onstar and was told nothing was wrong with my SUV. I have also saw a engine light flash, called onstar and nothing was showing wrong. Today, my vehicle engine light and battery light came on and I was informed by onstart that the generator/alternator needs to be replaced. Vehicle has 58K miles.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #6

Sep 122008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed in his vehicle and was replaced by the dealer. The resistance pig tail (wiring harness), the fuel pump module, and the clutch also failed; however, the dealer stated that the contact must pay for the repairs. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle and it cannot be repaired for free. The failure mileage was 76,000. 4/01/09 the water pump, pulley and serpentine belt was replaced. Updated 04/09/09.

- Centreville, IL, USA

problem #5

Jun 012006

Trailblazer

  • 12,000 miles
Engine warning light flashes occasionally. This has been happening with this particular vehicle since I purchased the vehicle. Repeated visits to the local dealerships have resulted in no repair. The vehicle experienced total engine failure to which the dealership stated it was a cooling fan. Even upon replacing this fan, the light continues to flash on/off. At one point the light stayed on to which onstar reported an engine cooling/ac issue. This warning was reported to the dealership, they stated the problem was fixed but the light will continue to flash every couple of days. This is abnormal and has been addressed multiple times but nothing has been done to fix the issue.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #4

Dec 172007

Trailblazer

  • 18,000 miles

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

I was involved in an automobile crash in my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. Upon impact, the car ignited under the hood and flames came up on the outside of the windshield while my family was still in the car. Fortunately I was able to get my family out of the car before it was totally engulfed in flames and destroyed by fire. I contacted GM and asked why my car burned. I told them I was concerned about the safety of my family since members of my extended family own similar GM SUVS. I answered numerous questions on the phone. I provided pictures of my car totally engulfed in flames. GM assigned a claim number to my request and engaged "esis GM" to evaluate the cause of the fire. After approximately 3 months, I received a short letter saying " there was no evidence that shows there is a product defect that caused the fire". it further said, "if you believe you have additional proofs showing there was a product defect (s) that you would like GM to look at, please submit them". they never answered my question of why the car burned. I had sent them pictures of the car engulfed in flames in the middle of the interstate. They just basically left it me to show proof of product defects and tell them why the car burned rather than answering my question. In fact, their response saying there were no know defects was like saying the Trailblazer is designed to ignite and burn upon impact.

- Sanford, MI, USA

problem #3

Apr 052007

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
On 04/06 my wife was driving our 05 Trailblazer that we have had about a year and the dealer already had to replace the engine, and now the brakes just went completely out without warning. It caused her to rear end another vehicle luckily no one was hurt. The dealer we bought it from refuses to work with us they told us they already put the new engine in it and they didn't have to do it. If they didn't have to do it then why did they keep it 2 months right after we bought it? I took it to a mechanic near where we live and he replaced the master cylinder for the brakes and they work fine now. The dealer said that it was out of warranty and we would have to pay 75 dollars for them to tell us what was wrong with it. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. As soon as you fix something, something else major goes wrong with it. You name it and I have probably had it worked on in this vehicle. I called the dealer and tried to work with them and just replace the vehicle with one I could put my wife and kids in without worry if something else is going to go wrong with it and someone gets really hurt or killed. I just need help trading this vehicle in so I can get a reliable form of transportation for my family. Just want the dealer to work with me and cancel this loan out and I will gladly buy another vehicle.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #2

Nov 132006

Trailblazer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,476 miles
: the contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. It was maneuvered off the road and restarted. This had happened four times and the dealer replaced the w module and two spark plugs, cleaned the throttle plate and repaired a ground wire. The problem recurred and the dealer could not duplicate the problem.

- Boones Mill, VA, USA

problem #1

Sep 242006

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65 miles
All of a sudden the transmission started to shift funny after a long road trip. It did this once on the highway. We got off the highway and pulled into our town and the car was having problems shifting. We barely made it to our house and the transmission was leaking. We went to drive it to the dealership and it over heated less than a mile from the house. We were told that the radiator deteriorated and sent anti-freeze into the transmission which destroyed the transmission.

- Grand Ledge, MI, USA

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