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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:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,242 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.

2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Oct 222014

Trailblazer

  • 142,000 miles

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

I have a 2006 Trailblazer and the windshield wipers will come on and spray wiper fluid when it gets ready while the switch is turned off. I use to be able to turn the switch on and back off and they would go off but now that is not working and they will stay on even though the switch is off. No wiper fluid is spraying out but it would if it was not empty because it sprays all the time. This is causing marks on the windshield from dry wiping and I am tired of going down the road with my wipers on and it is not raining. There was a recall on the 2002 model but this is happening on later models and the recall needs to be made so consumers can get their truck fixed

- Midland, GA, USA

problem #31

Nov 042014

Trailblazer

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving at 40 mph, the windshield wipers failed to turn off and remained on at all time. The fluid sprayed water and prevented the contact from seeing while driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V046000 (visibility). The failure mileage was 79,000.

- Toulsa, OK, USA

problem #30

Sep 152014

Trailblazer

  • 101,000 miles
This complaint involves the rear liftgate wiper not functioning. It first started by running slower and slower, then finally stopped functioning completely. I have replaced it twice now, and both times the wiper motor would function for a very brief time, the first time around it didn't last for 36 hours before ceasing to function again. I have been to numerous forums to research this problem, such as trailvoy.com, and it is quite apparent to me that this is a widespread issue, with little hope of an easy repair. It appears the suspect part, the lgm, can't be ordered or replaced by the common man, and many of us do not have the financial resources to continually be taking the vehicles to the service bay of our local Chevy, GM or Buick dealer. This is a safety issue for many reasons, but particularly for those of us who live in a rural environment of dirt/gravel roads as the draft at the rear of the vehicle always causes the lift glass to become soiled, reducing visibility to near zero at times, which makes for less safety when changing lanes, backing up and so on. Additionally, there has been no solution issued yet for the flickering headlight issue that a recall was issued for last year for these vehicles. This is becoming maddening, it has been far too long. Apparently none of the higher ups at GM live in regions where there is a substantial deer population. Thankfully I have yet to hit one. It would seem to me that this problem is given very little attention by GM.

- Lyons, MI, USA

problem #29

Apr 242015

Trailblazer

  • 149,000 miles

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

The windshield wipers and wiper pump (water) went off continuously (on their own) and would not stop. The water sprayer kept squirting water and the wipers kept going non stop. Nothing we did would make it stop. Finally had to disconnect the wiper control module, just to make the wipers and water streaming stop. I could not see anything-very dangerous.

- Americus, GA, USA

problem #28

Apr 142015

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would independently activate whenever the vehicle was started. The failure recurred twice while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the failure originated in the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 5/19/15

- Wilton Manors, FL, USA

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problem #27

Mar 162015

Trailblazer

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, smoke started coming through the vents of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the windshield wipers became inoperable. A fire and a police report were not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the circuit board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V406000 (electrical system, visibility); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

problem #26

Jan 012015

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles

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

The issue began with the windshield wipers turning on/off and spraying windshield wiper fluid intermittently. This has caused visibility issues while driving. Now the windshield wipers stay on until the car is shut off.

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #25

Jan 022015

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
The issue began with the windshield wipers turning on/off and spraying windshield wiper fluid intermittently. This has caused visibility issues while driving. Now the windshield wider stay on for extended periods of time without stopping.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #24

Oct 152014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 120,884 miles
When you crank the vehicle the wipers come on and stay on until you turn the vehicle off.it also puts out the windshield wiper fluid empties out all washer fluid and the motor still runs. Motor never stops running for the wipers. Will eventually burn out.

- Tompkinsville, KY, USA

problem #23

Sep 292014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 66,600 miles
Started raining, turned on wipers and washers started without being turned on and would not stop. Could not adjust speed of wipers nor turn off washers. Ran off side of road because wipers couldn't keep with up amount of washer fluid being sprayed on window. I couldn't see. Washers wouldn't stop!! attempted to turn off wipers/washers to no avail. Turned off car and restarted engine with wipers turned off. Wipers still restarted when engine started even though they are turned off. Wipers/washers come on randomly without being turned on and run for indeterminate times before turning off. Without control, windshield washers start and stop randomly blinding the driver. Someone will be killed if this is not corrected. I almost was!

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #22

Aug 232013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles

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

With regard to the below service bulletin, I would like to file a complaint. At approximately 106,000 miles, my 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer windshield wipers and windshield spray mechanism activated without being prompted. The spray reservoir pumped washer fluid, at an alarming rate, all over the windshield while I was on a major freeway. I had a very hard time moving to the safe lane to bring the vehicle to a stop, because I couldn't see anything. Even though the wipers were on high speed, this was not fast enough to remove the washer fluid so I could see. The wipers will not turn off unless I remove the fuse. Therefore, when it is raining and I'm driving, I have to pull off the road and insert the fuse into the fuse box to get wiper action. I completely disengaged the washer fluid reservoir because I could not get it to turn off any other way. GM, of course, fails to acknowledge that this is a problem. Mak haik Chevrolet noted that the wiper motor was malfunctioning in Dec. 2013. Service bulletin no.: 040843005B component(s): Visibility NHTSA id number: 10008492 all products associated with this service bulletin close vehicle makemodelmodel year(s) buickrainier2004-2006 chevrolettrailblazer2003-2006 gmcenvoy2003-2006 gmcenvoy XL2003-2004 gmcenvoy xuv2004 oldsmobilebravada2003-2004.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #21

Feb 192014

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the windshield wipers activated without being engaged. The dealer stated that the windshield wiper module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Towanda, PA, USA

problem #20

Feb 012014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Wiper engages with washer fluid spraying at any time. When first start wipers come on with fluid spraying no intermitent settings wiper stops and starts at all times. Fuel gauge stop working with full tank. Now it does not work. Door lock on driver side not functioning. Locks would start when vehicle sitting in driveway not running. Removed fuse, as it caused battery failure.

- Mineola, TX, USA

problem #19

Mar 262014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Windshield wiper will not turn off even when the switch is off. All washer fluid is dispensed and the wipers will keep going.

- Hurst, TX, USA

problem #18

Mar 082014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The wipers started acting unpredictable, with the washer fluid spraying all over. You could not control when the wipers would turn on or off, the speed they would go, and the washer fluid would spray at random times. There was a recall on this for the Trailblazer for the 02-03 models -however, this issue does not seem to be resolved in any satisfactory way. A simple internet search would satisfy that inquiry. This item should be recalled as there has been a service advisory issued (service bulletin). I have to pay to get the wiper motor module assembly replaced for several hundred dollars and it is doing the same thing as the earlier recalled wiper assembly. Chev/GM seems to know there is a problem given the history. They are at least making money from me. This is clearly a public safety issue if it has been recalled previously.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #17

Aug 162013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 104,500 miles
I was driving on the freeway, going over an extremely high and long overpass, and the windshield wipers came on spraying wiper fluid non-stop. I couldn't see anything, but managed to get the hazard lights on a get in the emergency lane. The wipers couldn't be disengaged and the fluid was gushing out like a whale spouting water. I removed the fuse for the wipers and let the fluid empty itself out in spray. Once I got home, I put the fuse back in and the wipers come on with the control in the "off" position. They only operate at high speed. I can't turn them off unless I remove the fuse. This is dangerous - I could have flown right off the freeway on that overpass. I couldn't see for the wipers moving so fast, but not fast enough to remove the constant gushing of the wiper fluid. The tv commercials they run about Chevy trucks are "like a rock" are very true. This Trailblazer is as useless - just like a rock.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #16

Jul 302013

Trailblazer

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V406000 (electrical system, visibility ) and took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The contact stated that after the repairs, the door locks and window switch became inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for further inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Fayetteville, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 012013

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the windows failed to close. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis but they declined to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #14

Nov 152012

Trailblazer

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V406000 (visibility:power window devices and controls) and contacted the dealer. The dealer did not have the necessary parts available to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue with the availability of the part and was unable to provide a date for when the part would become available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. The approximate current mileage was 38,000.

- Bellaire, MI, USA

problem #13

Sep 152010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
I have had several problems with my power windows going up and down and then just not working at all. I smell smoke sometimes but can't locate the cause of the smoke. I have also had problems with the electrical connection to the radio, which also works sometimes but the majority of the time it does not work. I have had this problem for a long time now and need a resolution before my SUV catches fire. I also have problems with the drivers side power door lock which works intermittently-whenever it pleases. I recently started having problems with my rear wiper blade-turn it on and it moves a little then stops. My headlights dim up and down while driving...I have replaced the alternator and the battery and still don't have enough power for some reason-dealerships want to charge a lot of money just to diagnose when it appears that this is obviously a defect in the electrical system of the SUV.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

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