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.
Filled fuel tank full, and started to drive away. Fuel gauge suddenly dropped to empty and low fuel light came on. Moments later, fuel gauge returned to a full reading, and low fuel light went off. Moments later while driving, fuel gauge again dropped to empty and low fuel light again came on. Check engine light also then came on and has stayed on. Now fuel gauge intermittently drops to empty and low fuel light comes on, then gauge returns to full reading. Check engine light stays on. Dangerous potential to run out of fuel as have no idea as to actual gas in tank. Understand that this has been a common problem on this and similar GM vehicles.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled without any warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised her that the gasoline sensor was not reading the fuel properly. The dealer also advised her that there was no oil in the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Fuel sending unit began sending intermittent false readings, resulting in running out of gas mid-intersection, while on freeways where the loss of speed might result in an obstruction of traffic, in mid-acceleration where the loss of acceleration might result in an immediate danger to the occupants and surrounding vehicles, or while driving while gauge indicator indicated the availability of fuel within the system to perform combustion.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving 40 mph when the vehicle ran out of fuel. The fuel gauge was reading a quarter tank of fuel yet the empty light was illuminated. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer nor was the manufacturer made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
I was running low of fuel so I stopped at a gas station to refill. After completely filling the tank and starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge needle was on empty and the low fuel level light was lit. Since then, the fuel gauge fluctuates and does not display the actual fuel level. I have been relying on the trip odometer to estimate my fuel usage so that I do not run out of gas. About a month prior to this issue affecting me, I had received a letter from General Motors describing this issue a offering to cover 50% of the repair cost. Obviously, this issue is affecting a great number of vehicles and the manufacturer should step up and fix their problem.
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Four days ago, while driving I noticed the fuel gauge light was on and the needle was on empty. There was 3/4 tank of gas in the vehicle. Then the needle proceeded to slowly rise to half full, and go down and up sporadically. Since then it continues to fluctuate up and down. Even after filling the gas tank a day ago, the needle still sporadically fluctuates between empty and full. The vehicle has 49,000 miles on it.
After changing the vehicle's battery, the fuel system, air system and 4X4 system have all failed. GMC is aware of my issue and hundreds of others. They refuse to fix this known issue, this vehicle is very dangerous to drive.
I own a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer. My fuel gauge sensor is going out. I just filled my tank and it tells me it is empty. I am told Chevrolet will pay half the costs but it will still cost me $200. I have had more problems with this vehicle than any I have previously owned. If this is such a well known problem with these vehicles why has there not been a recall?
About 4-5 months ago my fuel sensor started saying that it was empty when I just filled and the engine light would come. After about 50 miles or so the lights would go off and seem like normal for a day or two and then the gas gauge would go back and forth. About a month ago my gas gauge quit working completely! also the neck of the gas pump needs to be replaced and that is another $300!! I received what I thought was a recall notice but it is actually a limited warranty stating that they would pay for 50% to get this part fixed. Obviously GM is aware that this part is faulty and yet we are being forced to pay 50%!!!! they should be covering 100% of it.
I filled my gas tank. When I restarted the car the gas gauge no longer works. It has been this way for two weeks. I have been setting a trip mileage gauge to insure that I do not run out of gas. I received a notice a while back from Chevrolet stating that this is a problem. They do not accept responsibility in the form of a recall, but will discount the repairs. I threw way the notice as I did not have any problems. I have yet to contact my Chevrolet dealer, as I am considering my options.
The fuel gauge no longer provides an accurate reading. Vehicle stalled due to empty gas tank with gas gauge showing 1/2 tank. Occurred at 48,000 miles. The gas gauge can no longer be relied upon creating an extremely dangerous driving situation should fuel run out and a stall occur.
The fuel gauge in my 2006 Trailblazer stopped working. Even after filling up the gas tank, it reads that it's on empty, the low fuel light comes on and there is a low fuel level message. This has been going on for several months; it started out with the needle bouncing around the gauge but now it just sits on empty. I am taking it in for repair because I don't feel safe not knowing how much gas I truly ever have.
My fuel indicator has all sorts of mis-readings. Examples: Reads empty with low fuel light on when just filled, begins to read somewhere near 3/4 at a mileage point, (50), that it usually reads full. Very annoying and distracting to driver. Distracts the drivers attention to driving. Dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fuel gauge stopped registering the correct level. It constantly shows empty and then goes erratically from empty to full. The check engine light also is on and will not go out. Chevy has mailed me a letter stating they will cover 50% of the cost of repair even though they now have almost 1 million vehicles with the same issue. And they wonder why americans purchase foreign (dependable) cars! GM needs to man up and pay for the entire repair!!!!!
The truck fuel sensor stopped working. The fuel gauge would show that the tank was empty even though it was full. The empty sensor light stays on constantly and occasionally, the check engine light would come on due to the empty tank indicator.
When refueling for gas, my gauge registered empty after the tank was completely full. It continued to fluctuate registering empty, half full, etc. This has caused the check engine light to come on every time the truck is refueled. The light can be turned off when you open and reclose the gas lid. This has to be done every time the truck is refueled in order to turn the light off. As a result you never know if there is something really wrong with the engine. I am unable to tell truly how much gas in the vehicle and I have to refuel every two to three days because of the distance I travel to and from work/ doctor's appt. Thank you
While driving our gas gauge went down to empty even though we had a full tank. This posed a safety hazard as we were then unable to determine how much gas we actually had. It seems the fuel gauge is faulty. This could lead to running out of gas while driving causing a potential accident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Independence, MN, USA