10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,530 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #352

Jul 092012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 25 mph, the brakes failed. The failure occurred intermittently for three years. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. The window regulator, battery cable, tank level sensor, clutch fan, serpentine belt, tight outer tie rod, hood latch, water pump, were all replaced. Also, the rotors were warped, due to rust by climate, the rear brakes pads were worn and had to be replaced. The front rotors were machined. There was an intermittent surge after accelerating from a stop. There was a squealing noise coming from the brakes. The passenger side brake lights were blowing out. The tail light circuit board was replaced. The check engine light illuminated, due to a faulty emission vent valve and hose assembly. The ABS was engaging, when coming to a stop. Updated 10/01/14

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #351

May 012012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
The vehicle presented with error on reading the speed one is traveling at. Fuel gauge not working properly and not reading gas correctly.

- Elgin , IL, USA

problem #350

Jul 032014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 86,225 miles
The wiring connecting the blower motor to the resistor under the glove box has melted the connection between the two resulting in smoke and toxic fumes from burning wires while vehicle was in operation with A/C operating on high. Shutting the vehicle off stopped any further damage, I have googled this issue and appears as though its a known problem without GM acknowledging the issue and doing any thing to remedy the issue, according to complaints filed with carcomplaints.com.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #349

Jul 102014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 121,000 miles
My car was starting fine before this. I left work went out to my car tried to start it and it would not do anything other than electrical noises even after I took key out. Got a jump (it was quick) the gauge was moving slightly. Got to where I needed to be and turned the car off and immediately it would not start. Jumped it again got home and the key got stuck in ignition and the lights flashed inside and out of the vehicle all night!

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #348

Jul 232012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
Leaving parking lot (& wanting to turn onto road) I applied my 2005 Trailblazer ext brakes. My foot & pedal went to floor with no brake at all. Thankfully no cars & going slow enough or I would have hit them. Instead of stopping at end of parking lot, I found myself entering road & seeing trees on other side of road coming up quickly. I grabbed the emergency brake lever. Scared me to death!!! vehicle then taken to repair shop. Shop owner report = hole rubbed in brake line close to driver firewall separating engine from seat area. He further said "been in business for 30+ years and had never seen this before. Seems like a huge design flaw." Rubbing on another line & pinhole there now - which would explain why my A/C was not working on driver side, but working on the pass side. How many other people had an accident" have another (")... if GM has known about a problem for yrs on several models: Very well documented on internet by hundreds (if not thousands of owners) - why won't NHTSA make GM do something" problem = speed gauge, oil pressure gauge, & radio all of a sudden stop working one day. Then some days they all work, some days only 1 work, some days 2 work??? an equipment malfunction or computer glitch? happened about 75K miles on both my auto & my dad's 2005 Chevy pickup. I live in SE, he lives in ne. Two areas of us; yet each dealership wanted about $600 to fix it. Called GM: No help available!! searched internet for repair fix, & noticed tons of unhappy owners w/ same problem: GM would not help them pay for this problem - even though it's their equipment problem. Clearly it is a safety issue: No one can tell how fast actually going & led to many accidents & speeding tickets I'm sure! time NHTSA steps in don't you think" then have the brake/ac line rubbing issue - clearly a safety issue & I hope you do something! I still have the brake line.

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #347

Nov 052013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Odometer now reads zero, do not know speed. Gas gauge reads zero. If rear defrost is on and A/C unit is on the fuse for the system will blow. Radio system is not functioning properly.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #346

May 282014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 187,000 miles
Driver's side passenger door left rear door latch on 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer ls is stuck. The door will not shut! I have read another complaint for the very same reason and a very similar situation to the ext and there is a recall on the ext but doesn't pertain to the ls. I can't shut my door because the latch won't connect.I opened the door and could not shut it after that because it wouldn't latch. We have looked everywhere and have not been able to locate the part at a reasonable price. I was in the process of selling it, but because of this faulty defect we cannot sell it. We have not been able to get it fixed. No one seems to have the part and we contacted dealerships and they looked up recalls but couldn't help us cause our VIN number isn't covered. What do we do now??

- Twin Mountain, NH, USA

problem #345

Jan 132014

Trailblazer

  • 95,000 miles
Cluster gauges are going out. The speedometer quick working a few years ago and is intermittent at best on a daily basis. It either indicates a lesser or greater speed than actual or just falls to point straight down. I have been using a mounted gps to indicate speed. Initial repair cost estimates were $500+ for the parts since they will only replace the entire gauge cluster. With labor, the estimate was in excess of $800. Fuel gauge is now inoperative or intermittent. When I fill the tank, the fuel gauge reads way past the full line. Having to rely of the fuel to empty and the fuel used computer information along with the trip meter to estimate fuel. Received another estimate for a mechanic to pull the gauge cluster and rebuild each individual gauge motor for an estimate of $500. Based upon the number similar complaints on this same thing, this appears to be a manufacturing defect that needs to be corrected by GM.

- Cibolo, TX, USA

problem #344

Feb 272014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the low beams failed to illuminate. The contact mentioned that the high beams were able to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 122,000. Updated 8/11/14 the consumer stated the headlights went out, for no reason. Updated 08/26/14

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #343

Jul 092013

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that all the functions of the driver door had failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the door module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.

- Opp, AL, USA

problem #342

Nov 052012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Sir/ MA'am, I noticed recently in the news that several GM product lines have been plagued by faulty ignition switches causing the vehicle to lose power and/or cut out. I implore you to look into the Trailblazers. I emailed GM while I was deployed (2012) and they gave me the runaround saying that it is not a documented problem, as expected. A simple internet search would show that a lot of other Trailblazer owners have bad ignition switches/ electrical issues that cause the vehicle to lose power at all speeds. My wife lost power going about 35 mph and I had my two children along with her. This is just one example, on one occasion. Granted, I do acknowledge this problem is intermittent, it still occurs at random and at all speeds. GM tells me to go to a dealer and have them look at it. I refuse to pay GM any money to have a dealership rip me off for an ignition switch that is flawed and replace it with the same faulty oem style/model number. I have ran a scan tool looking for codes and it doesn't have any. Like stated previously, this is another line of GM that is plagued with ignition and electrical issues that GM refuses to take ownership of. The mileage I have entered is approximate. I cannot remember exact numbers, but it has happened for years, intermittently. When the vehicle has coasted to it's final destination after losing power, it starts up and drives normal again after it is put back into park. Also keep in mind that it doesn't show any check engine lights, indicating a problem or need of servicing. Again, please look into this product line as I know the result(s) will show that GM is liable and I don't want any fatalities because nobody spoke up about it.

- Yelm, WA, USA

problem #341

Jan 152014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
Speedometer randomly parks on 0 mph no matter what the speed is. The fuel gauge randomly indicates "E" or other inaccurate fuel readings regardless of how much fuel is in the tank. The car randomly stalls when stopped at traffic lights.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #340

May 122014

Trailblazer

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that a burning smell was emitted from the control module on the driver's door. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the door she noticed that the wires were melted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 175,000 and the current mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available.

- Amesbury, MA, USA

problem #339

Mar 012013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
First my gas gauge started to malfunction. After purchasing gas my gauge would work sometime. Now it doesn't work at all. Then my oil pressure gauge went. Now my speedometer works most times but after driving a distance it does not register correctly. After shutting off and starting the car a few times it starts to work again. I've been told it is a common problem with Chevy. My brother had the same problem in his Chevy truck.

- Livingston, NJ, USA

problem #338

Sep 202012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The heater levels started to go out. First 5, then 1 until it no longer worked at all. I got it repaired but the 5th level does not work any more. The left half of the radio/cd player no longer lights up. My gas gauge would only register a quarter tank and then would eventually dropped to empty. It no longer works at all. Most recently my speedometer will occasionally quit working or register the wrong speed. I have to shut the car off and restart until it works again. Also, my tachometer goes way up when I begin driving and the car seems to rev way up before it changes gears and jerks into gear. I questioned a mechanic about this, thinking it was the transmission, which it isn't. there doesn't seem to be enough power. I have constantly had issues with this Trailblazer every since I purchased it. I also owned a Blazer at one time and also had a lot of trouble with it. I should have known better to purchase another Chevy, but never again!

- Redby, MN, USA

problem #337

Dec 102013

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
My fuel gauge reads empty after I fill the tank with fuel. After driving some duration of time the tank will only read a quarter of a tank full. I find this to be a hazard because I travel for long distance trips and you are unable to get an accurate reading of the amount of fuel that is in your tank. I have read this to be an issue on multiple different websites with the same make and model and I believe that GMC should offer to pay full price and fix the issue because it appears to be a defect.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #336

Jan 072013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 90,100 miles
Tachometer and speedometer began acting erratically. Speedometer now acting properly but tach has never functioned correctly since. Researching online I have discovered that there are literally thousands of these instrument cluster units that are failing and eventually additional instruments within the cluster are likely to break. In fact, a class action suit forced General Motors to recall/replace the instrument clusters on Silverado pickups for similar problems. When I contacted GM about working with me to replace the failing cluster and they told me there were no recalls and to basically "pound sand." With so many documented instances of failure and GM's now documented history of avoid recalls even at the cost of human life I believe it is time for the NHTSA to step up and bring pressure on GM to resolve this issue affecting thousands of owners who have been rebuffed in their efforts to have the automaker accept its proper responsibility for using inadequate or faulty materials.

- South Ogden, UT, USA

problem #335

Apr 012012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
Since I got the vehicle approx 5 years ago I began having issues about a year later. It started with my speed odometer gauge stopped working then over that following year eventually all the gauges stopped functioning. Little did I know that this was the beginning of my issues with the vehicle. My break lights will work off and on, my driver side windows works off and on, my blower stops working when ever it feels, a diagnostic test showed my throttle on has pedal never closes so I average 9 miles per gallon in gas mileage, the interior lights decide when to work and not, and the locks on their on causing me to get locked out of my car at times. This to me is clearly a electrical issue and have spoke to GM because I can't even trade the vehicle in to get a safer vehicle because no one wants it. Either way I worry of the safety for anyone in this vehicles and they need to be taken off the streets. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hebron, KY, USA

problem #334

Jan 062014

Trailblazer

  • 150,000 miles
While sitting at a stop light, the fuel gauge stopped working. The gauge went all the way down to "E" and the low fuel level indicator appeared on the display. Now when I fill up the tank, the gauge reads empty and after I drive about 20-30 miles it will move up to about 1/4 tank but no higher and sometimes it will still move back to empty that slowly move back up. Also sometimes the oil pressure indicator will drop all the way down while idling or in park and the low pressure indicator will appear, but as soon as the gas is pressed, the pressure will go back to normal. Also, about 1 1/2 years ago, the keyless entry/alarm/back liftgate lock and license plate light all stopped working simultaneously. I was told that it is probably a grounding wire issue but not definitive. Now my liftgate will not lock at all.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #333

Nov 142013

Trailblazer 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
While traveling we noticed the we were being passed excessively, we looked at the speedometer and saw that we were doing slightly above the speed limit. Out of curiosity we checked our speed against our gps / smart phone and saw that we were doing 30 mph under the speed being reported by our speedometer. After searching on the internet we found that 100's if not 1000's are having the same issue or even sometimes in reverse where it states that they are doing 120 mph when they are only doing a fraction of that. In addition we have found that there has been a recall on this same part on other GM vehicles for the exact same reason but the Trailblazer was excluded for whatever reason. How can not knowing how fast your actually going not be a major hazard especially with a proven history of failures.

- Walworth, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »