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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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,000 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 042011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

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

After filling up tank, tank registers empty, and check engine light on, after restarts able to measure gas amount, within weeks, no longer measure fuel amounts, check engine light comes and go, fuel gauge sometimes in the middle of a drive will suddenly appear to measure amount of fuel and just as suddenly return to low fuel reading and empty on gauge.

- Dixon, IL, USA

problem #5

Aug 102010

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge had malfunctioned. In addition, the fuel and check engine warning lights were also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offered any assistance and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 74,000.

- Hamburg , PA, USA

problem #4

Apr 302009

Trailblazer

  • 56,000 miles
I recently had my 06 Chevy Trailblazer towed to the GM garage due to it having an engine failure while my wife was driving it. Diagnoses is a broken valve spring in cylinder #1. repairs costs $752. GM is not willing to help me with the repairs due to it is out of warranty. Car only has 56,000 miles on it and to have a valve spring snap in half while under normal driving conditions is ridiculous and a huge safety concern. Looking for something to be done about this since no one from GM seems to care.

- Mill Hall, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 102009

Trailblazer

  • 75,000 miles

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

This will be the third replacement of a clutch/cooling fan to the cost of over $700 not under warranty.

- Monee, IL, USA

problem #2

Sep 292007

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 35 mph, the brake pedal was resistant when it was depressed. The vehicle would not stop and the contact rear ended another vehicle. The road conditions were dry and there were no warning indicator lights prior to the failure. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The front bumper was damaged and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the brake failure. The manufacturer stated that the speed was not fast enough to make the air bags deploy. The driver was wearing her seat belt, but she reinjured her back and experiences numbness in her legs. While driving between 30-60 mph, the engine would stall and the check engine warning light flashed. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by a failed seal that caused water and orange sludge to build up in the engine. The engine was cleaned and the failed seal was replaced. The frame around the license plate was leaking tar. The dealer informed her that the tar was coming from the tailgate. She applied tar remover to the tailgate and license frame and no longer experienced the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000 and current mileage was 14,000.

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #1

Oct 032007

Trailblazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Everytime my 2006 Trailblazer would be driven in the rain the check engine light would come on. The last time it would not go off so I took it in and they told me it was the cooling fan motor. While finding someone to work on it I discovered this is very common on this vehicle and it was $700 to repair.

- Monee, IL, USA

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