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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:
3 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 11
Average Mileage:
53,851 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 12 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #214

Mar 242011

Trailblazer

  • 82,513 miles

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

Immediately after refueling to fill tank and starting vehicle, the fuel gauge went to full, back down to empty, then to half full. The gauge continued to flip back and forth. At each false "empty" the chime rang and yellow light appeared.the gauge continued to do this if full or close to empty. Every time tank was filled the trip odometer had to be reset to zero and date and number of gallons noted. This is the only way we can track fuel consumption. We cannot trust the gauge readings at all. We have to do expressway driving to commute and have to refuel more often to keep track. We worry about safety of us and others!

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #213

Mar 042011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
The fuel gauge is inaccurate. Everytime I fill up my gas take it stays on E with the fuel light on. After driving maybe 60 miles or more it will re-read how much fuel is in my tank. With 3/4 tank it almost immediately just decreases down to E again and will stay there. Took it to the dealership but way to expensive to repair. I have to track my miles and have noticed in online forums that I'm not the only complaint about this issue with the Trailblazers and Envoy.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #212

Mar 062011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 99,893 miles
Inaccurate fuel level 2006 Trailblazer. Sometimes when I fill the tank the low fuel light goes on and the gauge goes to empty. Other times it looks like it has about a tank and a half on the needle. Some days the gauge wont work at all. I have resorted to using the trip odometer because the gauge is totally inaccurate.

- Eaton Rapids, MI, USA

problem #211

Oct 202009

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My gas gauge was moving from full to 3/4 full back to full and all over the gauge. Eventually it has stayed at empty with the light on. I have to gage my gas filling with the odometer.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #210

Apr 122011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 52,500 miles
Two days before we were to leave on vacation in our 2006 Trailblazer, my wife filled up the gas tank and when she got in the car it read below empty and the check engine light was on. She immediately went to a shop where she was told "it's probably the sending unit, they go bad on Trailblazers all the time". this was before a diagnostic test, and the test confirmed it. Being that it is a certified used vehicle, 5 years old with 50,000 miles, we took it to the dealer. They said they could do it for $470 and it was not uncommon. I am 50 years old and have owned a dozen vehicles over the years, most older then this, and have never had this problem, ever, on any vehicle. Since we were leaving on a vacation in two days, we felt we had better have it fixed, even though we could not afford it. I have since talked to other mechanics, and asked if there are any problems with Trailblazers from 2006. Every time I have been told "not really, other then the fuel sending units, which is an expensive fix". unfortunately I have experienced that firsthand. While I can't replace the things we couldn't do on our vacation due to the cost of the repair, I would sure like to know how to get my money back. And since the new one came from the dealer and is oem equipment, how long will this one last? any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

- Canton, MI, USA

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problem #209

Apr 082011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 60,100 miles
2006 Chevy Trailblazer, fuel gauge acts erratic and check engine light comes on. It happens every time I fuel up.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #208

Dec 202010

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles

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

About 3 months ago after filling the gas tank on my 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer the gauge began to drop to empty and "dance" at a nearly empty level for a few minutes. The problem appeared to correct itself, then a few weeks and a couple of "dances" later the gauge read empty and the fuel light was permanently on. The problem still persists today.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #207

Aug 012010

Trailblazer

  • 75,000 miles
Fuel gauge fluctuation, causing the low fuel light to illuminate. Eventually gauge drop to empty permanently.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #206

Mar 282011

Trailblazer

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that after refueling the fuel tank, the fuel level gauge displayed an inaccurate reading of empty. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #205

Apr 012011

Trailblazer

  • miles
The fuel gauge has stopped giving the correct level of gas in the tank.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #204

Mar 182011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 89,558 miles

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

Filled 2006 Trailblazer full of gas after tank was on empty. Fuel gauge wavers all over the place and eventually settles on low fuel level and continues to chime even though the tank is completely full.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #203

Mar 102011

Trailblazer

  • miles
Starting last week when I filled up my tank, the fuel gauge will not reset, but rather goes straight to empty and the fuel light indicator light comes on. The warning light stays on the gauge reads empty. Some times the gauge will read correctly, however, most times it stays at empty. After researching the problem, it appears that this is a well known problem for this specific vehicle as many people are experiencing the same issues. There does not appear to be a certain mileage this happens at based on the research, but it is definitely a problem. I have read that some people experiencing the vehicle sputtering while they were driving leading to the check engine light coming on; all this happening after fueling the vehicle and driving it. Many people have gone to the dealership and GM claims that this is not a problem. I do not know what the protocol for recalling certain parts of vehicles are, but this appears to be a known problem that is being brushed under the rug. The vehicle this is happening to is a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Thank you for your time.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #202

Mar 012011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer states problem with brakes and traction control light illuminating. The consumer the ABS would activate when making right turns. Several components were replaced, but the consumer continued to experience problems. The blower resistor was replaced due to it only working on high. The engine light illuminated, the fuel sensor was not working, the heat was inoperative, there were noise/creaks coming from the steering wheel when driving slow and making turns, the power windows and heated seats stopped working, the fuel gauge was inaccurate, the 4-wheel drive switch had to replaced, the seat belt was difficult to fasten, the head lights and tail lights sockets burned out, the fan for the heater and defroster stopped working, the transmission would not down shift properly and eventually had to be replaced, the ignition switch didn't always work and the key would sometimes get stuck.

- Branson, MO, USA

problem #201

May 012010

Trailblazer

  • 85,000 miles
The fuel sending unit on my trailbalzer has failed and I have run out of gas several times causing dangerous situations. I have had to call aaa several times. The repair job will cost about $800 and I cannot afford to do it. The gas tank must be pulled down and the entire fuel pump/sending unit must be replaced by a mechanic. It is a dangerous job. I think General Motors should issue a recall and repair free to the owners I know of several others running with the same condition. It will not pass New York state inspection with this condition...thank you.

- Churchville, NY, USA

problem #200

Dec 182010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Normal driving and the gas gauge just malfunctioned. I ran out of gas twice because of false readings. One time has on a four lane highway during rush hour. That was extremely dangerous. Nothing has been done to correct the issue. This seems to be a common problem from the 10000 posts I've seen in forums. It is a $400 fix at the local Chevy dealer.

- Wakeman, OH, USA

problem #199

Mar 062011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer ls 4.2L I6 4X4 98,000 miles- fuel gauge not working after fuel up. Gauge shows empty when in fact the tank is full. The check engine light is also on. Gauge also fluctuates from full to empty while driving. This is very hazardous as I could run out of gas merging on the highway or pulling out in traffic. I have no way of telling how much fuel that I have other than keeping track of the mileage (and that is not always accurate). After searching this topic on the internet I see that this is a very common problem. I spoke with the Chevrolet dealership about this issue, and they told me that it was the fuel sending unit in the gas tank (which they did say is a common problem on this vehicle). They said it will cost around $800 to fix it. I am going to have to keep driving my vehicle the way it is because I can not come up with that money at this time...

- Blackshear, GA, USA

problem #198

Mar 012011

Trailblazer

  • miles
My 2006 Chevy Trailblazer gas gauge keeps telling me its empty when its full. It all started when I pumped gas into it I turned it on and it stood on empty. I only have 43K miles on it. I have never had this issue with any car before and after reading about how many other people have this same problem I think its unfair that GM is not accepting responsibility for this defect. I could understand if it were 1 or 2 vehicles but its a lot.....there has to be something that they could do.

- Johnson City, NY, USA

problem #197

Feb 152011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 38,400 miles
Fuel gauge not working properly. Goes up and down. Never sure how much gas in the vehicle. Could result in running out of gas leading to being rearended or stuck in heavy traffic. Gauge gets stuck on empty at times and fuel light comes on.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #196

Mar 182009

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 46,052 miles
Fuel level sensor in 2006 4X4 Chevy trail Blazer malfunctioned. Had to drop the tank to repair so the gauge would read correctly.

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #195

Jan 152011

Trailblazer

  • 68,000 miles
I am the owner of a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer 4WD. My gas gauge has been bouncing around from empty to full and back down. Recently my car stalled out on the highway! I was able to maneuver my car into a safe location. This is definitely a safety issue!! I was told that by the gentlemen at my local Chevy dealership that this is "a common problem" with this car and that my fuel sensor isn't reading. The fuel tank needs to be dropped and that I would have to fork out the $900 to make this repair. It seems to me that if this is such a known issue and a clear safety issue that you the NHTSA would help to insure the publics safety by mandating a recall for this part. Please also refer to this thread: www.topix.com/forum/autos/Chevrolet-Trailblazer/th8ji6tepo3vrji3D/P24 to view over 500 complaints! I will assure you that when this does cause a major accident, if it hasn't already, there will definitely be litigation to follow. I can no longer trust my fuel reading and have to reset my tripometer and only drive 250 miles before I fuel up again. Please!! something has to be done!!!!!

- Carson City, NV, USA

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