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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 15 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #154

Jun 012010

Trailblazer

  • 75,000 miles

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

Fuel gauge inoperatable.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #153

Aug 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
Fuel sensor in 2006 Chevy Trailblazer gives erratic and false readings causing me to believe that there was more gas than there actually was. I ran out of gas at the interchange of 2 busy freeways.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #152

Jul 072010

Trailblazer

  • 115,000 miles
Filled my tank up with gas and it read empty. The gas level sensor does not work, I have to calculate my mileage and have been stranded with no gas on the side of the highway twice while I was pregnant and had an infant in the Trailblazer with me. Not safe and I think that if there are as many people having the same issue there needs to be a recall. From what I have read Chevy has not issued a recall, yet all of there 05 and 06 models have this same issue.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #151

Sep 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 48,000 miles

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

Fuel pump sending unit gas tank shows empty even when the tank is full was told it would be $700 to fix this should be a recall the Trailblazer only has 48,000 mile son it.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #150

Jun 272010

Trailblazer

  • 34,000 miles
2006 Chevy Trailblazer fuel gauge not working. Only 34K miles on the car and bought brand new.

- Columbus, OH, USA

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problem #149

Aug 102009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
1. not sure what caused the original failure, but I would say it started after I filled my car with gas 2. it was every time I filled with gas for the first few months, now it is constant and every time my car is in motion. 3. nothing has been done to correct the problem as the car is out of warranty and cost is well over $800, also they are unsure of the exact problem. Details: My fuel light on my car reports that there is no gas in the car even after filling up. The engine light also comes on because of this and causes issues with the car. It is out of warranty and the deal says it is could be any number of problems with the fuel system that would cost over $800. It is very scary because of the warnings that come on the car. It started after filling with gas and before would be normal after driving about 20 miles. Now it is constant. When I first start the vehicle it works fine and tells me the range, but as soon as the car is in motion it goes back to empty. Have replaced gas cap and other things as suggested, but the problem is now constant and at times while driving I can smell gas very strong. It lasts for a about 10-15 minutes and is frightening, the dealerships says it could be the pressure in the gas tank. It is very scary and very expensive for an issue they are unsure of. I request you investigate this because it appears to be a problem that the dealership knows about and refuses to do anything about unless we spend the money for them to fix something they are not sure of and have been given about a 50% chance the problem returns.

- Milaukee, WI, USA

problem #148

Aug 262010

Trailblazer

  • 44,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While adding gasoline to the fuel tank the contact noticed that the fuel gauge would not indicate the correct amount of gasoline. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the fuel sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 44000 and the current mileage was 45000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #147

Jul 152010

Trailblazer

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving various speeds and observed that the fuel gauge displayed an inaccurate reading of half a tank of fuel. The failure was intermittent and progressed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the fuel level sensor was replaced. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000. Updated 01/13/11 updated 03/23/11

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #146

Oct 042010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. After refueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge displayed a reading of empty. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the fuel sending unit needed to be replaced, but it was not repaired. The failure continued. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage was 70,000. Updated 01/28/11 updated 02/07/11

- North Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #145

Sep 182009

Trailblazer

  • 65,000 miles
Fuel level sensor (known GM problem since 1984 maybe farther) fuel level sensor sporadic at 45K miles and finally quit at 73K miles 2006 Chevy Trailblazer will not pass inspection due to check engine light for evap code.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

problem #144

Jul 062010

Trailblazer

  • 38,000 miles

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

Fuel gauge on 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer doses not read properly. It showed 1/4 of a tank of gas when in fact the tank was empty. Car stalled on freeway.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #143

Aug 172010

Trailblazer

  • 60,100 miles
2006 Chevy Trailblazer-gas gauge gives incorrect readings, low fuel alarms when tank is full, has caused fuel spills and out of fuel incidents.

- Pittsburgh, RI, USA

problem #142

Aug 262010

Trailblazer

  • miles
Fuel tank sensor on 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer is defective and could result in running out of fuel, stall, and or being rear ended by another vehicle. I travel the highway to work everyday and it could cause a potential horrific highway accident.

- Lewisburg, OH, USA

problem #141

Jun 132010

Trailblazer

  • 30,500 miles
Due to a mechanical failure, I had to have the fuel sensor replaced in my 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer right after the warranty expired. The sensor was replaced and seemed to function properly until I was stranded on the side of the road a few months ago with my young child. The gas gauge was again giving false readings and my vehicle had run out of fuel. As it stands now, I will have replace the equipment for the second time in a vehicle that is only four years old. After my experience of suddenly having no fuel, I can certainly say it creates a dangerous situation while driving. If there had been more traffic in my vicinity, I don't know that I would have been as fortunate as I was.

- Hillsboro, GA, USA

problem #140

Jul 182010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 43,257 miles
2006 Chevy Trailblazer: After filling the car up, the gas gauge reads empty and throws the check engine light. I have been told this is not an uncommon problem. It has also been brought to my attention that it is caused by the fuel level sensor/ fuel pump assembly. I was also told that it can cause problems with the drive train if it is not fixed. I have spoke to other Trailblazer owners and they too have the same problem. My Trailblazer only has a little over 43,000 miles on it.

- Highland , IL, USA

problem #139

Mar 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel level gauge would continuously read inaccurate fuel levels. On one occasion, the contact ran out of gasoline, yet the fuel level gauge did not display that the fuel tank was empty. In addition, when the vehicle was out of gasoline, the horn would not operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the fuel sending unit would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 51,000. Updated 11/11/10 updated 11/18/10

- Woodbridge, CT, USA

problem #138

May 272010

Trailblazer

  • 40,000 miles
Fuel gauge will not work when under 1/2 full tank. When you fill up with gas. Gauge reads empty and will not start working until tank is half full.

- North Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #137

Aug 012010

Trailblazer

  • 48,476 miles
Complaint as to the performance/reliability of the fuel level sensor installed in model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The fuel tank level sensor is defective and could result in a subject vehicle running out of fuel, stall, and being rear ended by another vehicle.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #136

Aug 152010

Trailblazer

  • 68,000 miles
After filling my 2006 Trailblazer with gasoline, the gas gauge incorrectly read "empty". after the initial incorrect reading, my gas gauge has not been accurate since. On one instance, my wife ran out of gas on the side of a busy interstate highway and was stranded for about an hour before I could come bring her gas. This is unacceptable for a vehicle with less than 75,000 miles and less than 5 years old.

- Aubrey, TX, USA

problem #135

Jun 012010

Trailblazer

  • 91,000 miles
The gas gauge on my 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer is no longer working. This problem has also caused my check engine light to stay on and the low fuel warning signal to go off repeatedly even when there is plenty of gas.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

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