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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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,430 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #19

Mar 072020

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

I purchased the vehicle from usados auto sales and the owner told me the car had 185,000 on it. Well after paying cash and waiting 27 days I finally receive the title and it says it has 260,000. The bill of sale he signed when he bought it also stated that the actual mileage wasn't correct. He filed my bill of sale out and didn't inform me or even right back there form he lied to me and said it was 185,000 so I contacted him and he said it was something he overlooked to just write on my bill of sale the actual mileage and I told him no I would you have spent $2500 on a vehicle with 260,000 miles and he refuses to help me. Now the vehicles check engine light is on. It leaking oil and the radio doesn't work and it keeps blowing fuses.

- Marietta, SC, USA

problem #18

Mar 042019

Trailblazer

  • 158,000 miles
If GM knows about the exhaust manifolds on these Trailblazers that warp and leak exhaust why are they not fixing them.it's a on going problem

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #17

Oct 262018

Trailblazer

  • miles
I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer with only a little over 80,000 miles on it. I have been having issues with the stabilitrak system. I will get read outs about the stabilitrak needs to be serviced or the stabilitrak has kicked in when it hasn't. the stabilitrak will try to in gauge for no apparent reason when appling the brakes. It happens when I am backing out of my driveway, coming to a stop or just applying the brakes to slow down. It happens on all type of road surfaces. This happens when it is bright and sunny outside, on dry roads, highways, streets, dirt roads and day or night. It does it at fast speeds and very low speeds. It makes a strange noise when this happens however the stabilitrak doesn't fully in gauge. The repair shop looked at it and told me that they think the computer modal is not communicating with the stabilitrak system. This started a few weeks ago. So I'm not sure how this will affect the brakes when driving on the snow and icy roads. I have seen other complaints on the same type of issues.

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

problem #16

Dec 162017

Trailblazer

  • 110,000 miles

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

When driving, the car will stop accelerating, reduce speed even when I'm on the gas. Car can go weeks without problem, then it happens. Chevy can't find anything wrong. It has happened on the expressway driving 65+ mph and in the neighborhood driving 20 mph. Has been in shop numerous timestoo dangerous to drive..

- Glenwood, IL, USA

problem #15

Dec 192015

Trailblazer

  • 117,000 miles
While traveling at night on a level two-lane highway that carries high traffic rates, the vehicle suddenly lost engine power, began to feel as though the brakes came on, the dashboard lights dimmed, and the traction control symbol started flashing. Vehicles behind me quickly braked to avoid a rear collision, as their headlight beams rapidly changed direction and dipped towards the pavement. Then about 6~8 seconds later the traction control light remained on full illumination, then went out, and the engine speed picked up. As I almost was in a surprise rear-end collision, I took the vehicle to the nearest, open Chevrolet dealer the earliest I could get it diagnosed. It turns out the steering sensor was defective and had to be replaced at a cost of $392. Surprise power loss and subsequent braking making a dangerous situation at higher highway speeds is what made me get it repaired as soon as possible.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

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problem #14

May 072010

Trailblazer

  • miles
My 2006 Trailblazer was parked outside next to my home for 2 hours. It spontaneously caught on fire while I was inside asleep. It ended up burning my whole house down. When I woke up to see flames coming from the car into my house, I called 911 and got myself and my children out of the house. My car and house were a total loss. I recently heard of recall saying don't park your 2006 Trailblazer near your house...even when off it might catch on fire. I am wondering if this recall is what made my car catch on fire. The exact cause was not determined...it was just determined it was spontaneous. I wish I had known of recall in 2010, and we wouldn't have gone through this nightmare!

- Keithville, LA, USA

problem #13

Mar 012015

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles

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

Traction control light and the light beside it stay on 24/7. I have had it at my mechanic who has sent it to the dealership as well and have replaced all parts but the computer to my car. I cannot afford to replace the computer and not know if that is the fix. My head lights flicker and some days turn off which have been recalled but when I give my VIN the dealer tells me I have zero recalls. They do this when sitting still, driving slow or even on the highway. I have cars thinking I am flashing them some times when I am not. If I roll my windows up they dim. I also was pulling out of a parking lot when my car stalled on me. When I coasted down the hill to stop, the car started. My mechanic put it on computer but the code was an "unexplained" reason, basically no one know why or if my car will do it again. I have had issues with this car from the day I bought it. I have taken it to dealership over the headlights but it was daylight and they did not see it so said they couldn't help me. I am so over my car, I am to the point I will not own another GM product. I have seen 3 recalls in the news that match my year and make, but my "VIN" says otherwise. I feel like I am driving a ticking time bomb. My computer lights have been on for 3 years now, headlights have done this since I bought the car in 2008, and it stalled beginning of spring 2015. I just want a safe reliable vehicle!

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #12

Jul 082011

Trailblazer

  • 50,035 miles
On 07/08/2011 mileage 50035 transmission cooling line rusted and leaked spraying transmission fluid onto exhaust manifold. Line was replaced with factory GM line. Today 09/25/2015 current mileage 80292 miles replacement line rusted in same place and leaked, spraying transmission fluid onto exhaust manifold.

- Dundee, NY, USA

problem #11

Aug 032015

Trailblazer

  • miles
When I make left or right turns the truck shuts off all the gauges read as normal except for the RPM's I loose power stearing and cannot exelerate it does not happen at an spacific time or place it is just random so I do not know when it may do this some days nothing happens other days it happens 2-4 times and it is a bit scarey when you are making a left turn especial I am not sure what this is or what is causing it but this I have had the battery and the alternater checked and other components checked out but they could not find anything and of course while the dealer had it did not do it so I am not sure but this is deffentley something that needs to be looked into like I say when I make turns I lose power, loose my stearing and the ablity to accelerate and all gauges read normal except the RPM's they are the only one that go down to zero

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #10

Jan 232015

Trailblazer

  • miles
I was involved in an automobile accident out of state. I was traveling during the evening hours to try to avoid heavy traffic. I started having trouble with the dim lights and could only proceed using the bright lights. The next thing I realize is that I am unable to control the vehicle and struck another vehicle on the road. I then proceeded to slide down an embankment approximately 30 feet. My vehicle sustained enormous damage to the front and side of the vehicle. The front airbags did not deploy and my vehicle was deemed totaled by my insurer.

- Duson, LA, USA

problem #9

Mar 022015

Trailblazer 8-cyl

  • 99,140 miles

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

2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer writes in regards to the customer reimbursement request form. The consumer did not state the issue.

- Milwaukie, OR, USA

problem #8

May 192013

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 118,198 miles
My husband and I were traveling home from a weekend out of state. We were coming into Chicago traveling towards Wisconsin where we live. Just before the first toll booth on I80/I94 traveling at highway speeds, we hit a slight bump in the road and lost all power to the car. We managed to coast the car over from the far left lane of a 5 lane highway to the right shoulder of the road out of harms way. The car was towed to a Firestone dealership on a Sunday afternoon; we were told after a systems analysis was completed that the car would have to be towed to a GM dealership. The closest was in homewood, il. After GM fixed the car, I asked what would cause something like this to happen. I was told by the dealership, it is something that just happens. Knowing the gravity of what could have happened, this is very upsetting. I really believe the Trailblazer should be also noted on the GM recall of autos before another family has to experience what mine did or worse. Thank you

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #7

May 252012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 132,576 miles
While driving, my headlights will intermittently turn off on their own. This does not happen frequently but has occurred several times per month for about 3 months duration. I had experienced this same event about 6 times before contacting GM directly. I contacted GM directly due to the fact that I consider this problem to be a safety issue. This vehicle is equipped with automatic headlights which turn on when darkness is detected. This automatic activation cannot be overridden with manual controls when the headlights turn off unexpectedly. I attempted to pull over and manually turn the headlights back on without resolution. I attempted to turn off the vehicle's ignition and restart the engine without resolution. Nothing I could do would make the headlights turn back on. The headlights seem to have a mind of their own and will eventually turn back on but this is completely random, sometimes taking a few minutes or maybe up to 20 minutes. A certified GM service center claimed the issue to be with the body control module and provided an estimate for replacement. I elected to not have the dealer replace the body control module for a significant amount of money. I instead started searching for another solution. I turned to the internet and found that this same issue has been reported on this make of vehicle since at least 2002 continuing until the late 2000's. GM informed me over the phone that they had not heard of this issue before. The certified GM service center claimed that they have not heard of this issue before. A simple google search will tell you a different story. I ultimately followed the direction of a youtube video which directed me to replace a relay located on the vehicle's fuse plate. The cost of the part was approximately $30. My headlights are working again. In my opinion GM should issue a recall for this part and not the body control module.

- Van Dyne, WI, USA

problem #6

Oct 012012

Trailblazer

  • miles
Hello, I received a safety recall letter dated October 2012 for recall number 12180 and have not heard anything since then. I am very concerned for my safety as well as others. How do I go about getting this taken care of? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #5

Mar 132012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
My gas gauge reads empty after I fill up with gasoline.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Dec 112008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
I am failing compliant case of fire hazard on the blower resistor, have complained to the Chevy garage about this they have known the problem was there since 2004 and never reported this, the wires burnt filling the Trailblazer hazard smoke causing my grandchildren to cough and nauseated, along with my wife and me. They will not cover to repair this.I am seeking help on this matter.also there is a bad short somewhere causing a the battery to drain which may cause a fire....... not sure of what this is. I have contacted state representative [xxx] the congressman. Please contact me a.S.a.P if any more details needed. My wife uses this for work and I am very concern on the fire which may occur I am an auto mechanic for 40 + years and I know there is a server problem of a defect in this vech. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mercer, PA, USA

problem #3

Jun 182011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
Fuel gauge shows random indication of fuel level. After filling the gas tank to full, the fuel gauge falls to empty and triggers the fuel light and dings. Later on it will show a random indication of fuel level.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #2

Jul 222006

Trailblazer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,375 miles
When I pressed the accelerator pedal to the floor all the way, the floor mat trapped it wide open. This in return caused the vehicle to speed out of control. This is the third incident with this type of vehicle between my fiance and I that this has happened to. Because I was aware of this problem I just kicked the floor mat and the accelerator pedal was released. Very scary feeling if you don't know what to do.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #1

Mar 102006

Trailblazer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,842 miles
: the contact stated while driving 35 mph the floor mat trapped the accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to speed out of control. The vehicle crashed into a fence post and a power line guide wire. Seat belts were in use however minor injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for repairs. The manufacturer has been alerted. Updated 03/28/06. Updated 8/14/2006 -

- Lafayette, IN, USA

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