Print this page

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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
151,892 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #54

May 032014

Trailblazer

  • 65,042 miles

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

On May 3, 2014, I filled the gas tank up, and began to exit the gas station. The fuel gauge showed less gas in the tank then when I began fueling. After several miles the gas gauge showed slightly more gas, but was still not providing an accurate reading. After shutting down the vehicle I checked the gas gauge, and it was still not working properly. I've been reviewing online complaints through the NHTSA website, and this appears to be an ongoing problem with the 2005 Chevy Trailblazers resulting in accidents. I'm very grateful. I observed the problem before stalling in an intersection or other dangerous location with my three small children in the vehicle.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #53

Nov 122011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Driving down main road in town and the vehicle just stopped right in the middle of the lane - no warning or anything. We were almost rear ended. I had my 3 children with me and had to push the vehicle up the road to the nearest turn in and call my husband for help. I contact Chevrolet and was told that since I was not the original owner of the vehicle that they would only cover 1/2 of the cost to repair the fuel gauge problem and they could not guarantee it would not happen again. I told them that I paid my 1/2 when I purchased the vehicle. I've been fighting this for 3 years with no avail. I hope your Agency can help.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #52

Jan 062014

Trailblazer

  • 150,000 miles
While sitting at a stop light, the fuel gauge stopped working. The gauge went all the way down to "E" and the low fuel level indicator appeared on the display. Now when I fill up the tank, the gauge reads empty and after I drive about 20-30 miles it will move up to about 1/4 tank but no higher and sometimes it will still move back to empty that slowly move back up. Also sometimes the oil pressure indicator will drop all the way down while idling or in park and the low pressure indicator will appear, but as soon as the gas is pressed, the pressure will go back to normal. Also, about 1 1/2 years ago, the keyless entry/alarm/back liftgate lock and license plate light all stopped working simultaneously. I was told that it is probably a grounding wire issue but not definitive. Now my liftgate will not lock at all.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #51

Feb 272013

Trailblazer

  • 140,000 miles

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

My Trailblazer 2005 would be driving down the street at about 25 to 30 miles, then my engine would just turn off with out any warning, am afraid it will happen again but this time when am in the highways going 60 miles on the highway I seen that is not just my vehicle that has happened to and even the fuel pump has gave up with out no answer, the GM or Chevrolet dealership don't have a clue why this is happening. It will be really helpful if you guys look into this before someone gets hurt on this malfunction. I really appreciate for taking your time. Sincerely, Chevrolet Trailblazer driver

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #50

Oct 022013

Trailblazer

  • 138,800 miles
After filing the gas tank, the check engine light and low fuel light came on and the fuel gauge registered empty within minutes of leaving the gas station. It has continued to be malfunctioning like this off and on over the last month. I have heard of 2 other people I know, with the same make, model, and year vehicle with the same problem. Is this a recurring problem nationwide with other owners of this vehicle?

- Appleton, WI, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #49

Jul 242013

Trailblazer

  • miles
Fuel gauge says empty no matter how much fuel you put in also ABS/brake service indicator light comes on.

- Shalimar, FL, USA

problem #48

Sep 012012

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

The gas hand does not work. $50+ dollars is put in at the gas station, then the gas light still comes on. This same issue has been going on for almost a year now and have run out of gas on at least 2 occasions. I haven't been able to get it fixed because I can't afford it, but it is really a safety concern. From what I've read on line recently, this is a problem with several Trailblazer owners across the country.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #47

Jun 252012

Trailblazer

  • miles
Fuel gauge does not accurately show the right level of fuel in the car. Fuel light comes on when tank is full. Fuel gauge shows full tank when empty. This has caused two cases O car breaking down and being stranded. One incident almost caused car to be rear ended on busy highway.

- Madison, IN, USA

problem #46

Apr 152011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
I had recently purchased the vehicle in April of 2011. I stopped after getting paid on a Friday to fill up my tank and when I go to turn on my vehicle the gauge goes to full and just drops all the way to empty. Since than I've had the same problem running out of gas in the streets dozens of time. I tried using my trip but my mph aren't always accurate I don't even know how many gallons my tank holds. Being stranded for awhile with my children is really tough. I can't just afford to pay over $500 to have my problem fixed just because GM won't be responsible enough to do a recall.

- South Houston , TX, USA

problem #45

May 012013

Trailblazer

  • 125,000 miles
Gas gauge does not read correctly, light stays on even after a full tank of gas.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #44

Jan 182013

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles

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

Ran out of fuel once on highway, when gauge showed tank was full. In Jan/Feb the gas gauge just stopped working even when completely full of fuel it will show only 1/4 of a tank or none at all. The radio works only intermittently will work then stop working unexpectedly. Headlights are always burning their connection, short circuiting my headlights pretty frequently.

- Somerville, MA, USA

problem #43

Jun 102013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Fuel sensor seems to be failing as is with many other problems with the electrical system on this car including a broken speedometer at 60,000 miles. This car seems to have far too many sensor or electrical issues and given the safety implications of speedometers that suddenly fail and fuel sensors that fail, it would seem prudent for someone to realize that these issues pose a severe safety hazard to all. After research on the internet, speedometers and fuel sensors seem to be a common issue with Trailblazers. Please research the electrical system and sensors more closely.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #42

Jan 012013

Trailblazer

  • miles
Fuel gauge is not working properly. Stays on (E) empty, even after filling up. Can not tell how much fuel is in the tank. Must keep track of miles driven on a daily basis to ensure of not running out of gas when driving. Dangerous and very unsafe.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #41

Feb 052012

Trailblazer

  • 124,000 miles
My gas gauge reads empty when full, or partially full, I never know how much gas is in my vehicle so, I have to guestimate or count miles, my oil pressure is the same. I am amazed this hasn't caused a mass recall so far as I have read through some of the pages of complaints and its littered with the same thing. I bought my car used Feb. 2012 and have had nothing, but issues.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #40

Feb 082010

Trailblazer

  • miles
After filling up my gas tank the fuel sensor read empty and the gas light was on. Also, whiel driving the fuel sensor would jump around showing empty, full and the gas light would come on. The vehcile was still under warranty at the time so I took it to the dealership to have it repaired. The service rep at the dealership inidcated that it was a common problem with the fuel sensor and it would need to be replaced. He mentioned that I was lucky the vehicle was still under warranty because the repair was very costly. My vehicle occassionaly lurches when it put inot gear from being parked or idle as if it wants to just take off right away. I contacted GM on this and they stated there was nothing they could do, but I have researched and found that many others have has this same problem. Another issude I have had was my speedometer and entire dash cluster failing. While driving on the interstate my speedometer jumped to over 100 mph and then back down to 0. at that point it stopped working for a few minutes then started working properly again. Finally it stopped working altogether. I took it to my mechanic and he replaced the enitre cluster panel which cost me around $800. Again, he did some research and found this to be a common problem. I sent GM a letter with a copy of the repair bill along with documentation of the many complaints I found online with the same issue. I heard nothing. I reached out with a phone call and was told the issue did not warrant a recall. This could be a serious safety issue. Please consider a recall as it apperas this vehicle was just poorly made and many other people are experiencing the same issues.

- Pleasant Garden, NC, USA

problem #39

Mar 252013

Trailblazer

  • 105,000 miles
I filled up my car and the fuel indicator went to empty. Now, sometimes it registers some fuel but not where it should be. It usually stays on E. this is a safety hazard because you don't know how much fuel you have. After reading the complaints seems this is a problem with most Trailblazers. The wheel hubs and bearings have also went gone since this happened the parts place says this is also a problem with Trailblazers.

- Fairfax , VA, USA

problem #38

Feb 102012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
Fuel gauge reads empty after filling tank, won't reset itself after fueling. Back hatch lock is stuck in lock and has already been replaced once. Sometime when your setting still at a red light or just going slow in traffic, there seems to be a "surge" of power or fuel to where the vehicle lurches forward. When driving at night the lights will flicker or dim on there own.

- Oran, MO, USA

problem #37

Apr 022013

Trailblazer

  • 82,564 miles
The fuel gauge in my vehicle stopped working. I did some research and this seems like a common problem to Trailblazers that GM is ignoring. Running out of fuel can be very dangerous especially on busy highways. So I think this should be a safety issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #36

Mar 042013

Trailblazer

  • 88,500 miles
Filled up gas tank only to find that it was reading empty. Fluctuated between empty and 1/4 tank. Ran out of gas with children in vehicle at one point in very bad weather. Finally able to save $450 to have it fixed. Is it true that GM will pay for half of the repair bill? very upset with General Motors!!

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #35

Apr 162011

Trailblazer

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge read inaccurately numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the fuel pump and/or the computer chip that controls the fuel pump would need to be replaced. The dealer offered to cover half the cost of the repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 135,000.

- Morton, MS, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?