2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,267 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 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT:

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

problem #24

Aug 122014

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
Starting about a few weeks ago my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer ext has reeked of unspent gasoline, and this smell consumes the entire interior and exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle also has small leak below reservoir which appears to be leaking unspent fuel. Chevy offered a "special coverage" to correct this issue (corrosion on top of fuel tank reservoir), however it only covers vehicles under 10 years of age and under 120K miles. My vehicle is under that mileage, however this repair will not be covered due to age of vehicle (mine was assembled in March). This issue is a major safety concern, as any small spark could cause this vehicle to ignite. I cannot continue to drive my vehicle, and feel this needs to be rectified before it causes catastrophic loss (either building or personal).

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #23

Mar 112013

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
Lights started flashing, gas gauge went to empty, car died. Restarted drove 1/4 mile died. Stereo system completely failed (whole unit). Keeps popping circuits changed out still doing. Cannot shut off heat due to banging sound. Car speeds up and down on own. Cannot read gas gauge correctly, not sure how full tank is.

- Marblehead, MA, USA

problem #22

Sep 302013

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 161,000 miles
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer ext with 161,000 miles on it. A few weeks ago I got to noticing a real strong gas odor in and around the vehicle. I have done a lot of research and have had the vehicle checked out and came to the conclusion that it is the common problem that is affecting many other Trailblazer ext owners. It is the fuel tank inlet check valve at the top of the fuel tank. In doing my research I have noticed that many people have had this issue fixed by some recalls that have been issued so I took the vehicle to my local Chevrolet dealer to find out about it only to be informed that mine is 41,000 miles past the recall mileage and will cost upwards of $1,000 to fix. I am worried about a possible fire or explosion with this issue. I am afraid to drive it to work every day and to use it to take my children to school. I just wish that Chevrolet would fix this so I don't have to worry every day about driving it. I don't feel that there should be a mileage restriction on a safety issue that could result in death or great injury.

- South Pittsburg, TN, USA

problem #21

Jul 282013

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 156,000 miles
I began smelling gas from the vehicle and noted that there is gas dripping from around the gas tank. I contacted my mechanic and was told that this is the third trailblazer he has seen in 2 weeks with the same problem. Chevrolet advises that there was a fix which was good only until 120,000 miles. How am I supposed to know to take it and have it fixed before 120,000 miles if I am not notified by GM? this obviously is a serious safety issue involving the trailblazer which GM is aware of but has thus far resisted recalling. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #20

May 062013

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 103,000 miles
We were doing our normal fill-up (truck was off) and after we filled it up & turned it over, the fuel gauge shot way over the 'full' mark. Every time we turned the vehicle on, the fuel gauge was reading differently, I have no idea how many times it was right. The oil pressure and battery charge gauge have also been giving false/sporadic readings as well. After much searching, I found the root cause of this to be a very common problem not only in the trailblazers but the Tahoe and several other of their vehicles (the instrument clusters are faulty). Given the expansive nature of this issue, and the potential dangers of not knowing your speed, fuel level, oil pressure or rpms, I'm having problems seeing why this isn't a recall already. It seems to happen more in the 2003-2006 models more than others from what I've found as well.

- Tampa, FM, USA

problem #19

Dec 262011

Trailblazer EXT

  • 144,000 miles
My vehicle is currently parked in my family's garage, as I am experiencing a strong gas smell. There is no visible leak, but I do not dare to Transport my children in the vehicle until I can find what the gas smell is originating from.

- Whitneyville, ME, USA

problem #18

May 312011

Trailblazer EXT

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet trailblazer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a significant amount of fuel leaking onto the ground. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered the fuel tank would need to be replaced. The manufacturer issued a voluntary recall pertaining to the fuel tank filler neck. The dealer was notified and they stated the VIN was ineligible under the recall defect. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Oak Hill , OH, USA

problem #17

Oct 042011

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • miles
Noticed gasoline odors inside the vehicle on Oct. 2011. Personal auto mechanic told me last week that there's a crack on the fuel fill neck area where the gas nozzle is inserted.

- Pharr, TX, USA

problem #16

Mar 072011

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
The fuel tank is leaking. The fill tube separated from the tank and is leaking fuel onto the tank. There is a strong fuel odor as well. Called Chevrolet they stated that vehicles are only being repaired for this issue in northern, eastern and midwestern states. Stated they will not fix my issue though it has the same issues covered under the special coverage, due to my geographic location.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #15

Dec 152010

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I own a 2004 Chevy trailblazer. I am having constant problems with the gas gauge indicating that either there is less gas then actual, or more gas then actual. I know there is an investigation going on with these vehicles but only for the years 2005-2007, mine is a 2004. This investigation should also include this year since the same problems are happening.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #14

Nov 112010

Trailblazer EXT

  • 98,000 miles
Not sure what to file this under, so I put it under unknown and other. About 4 months ago my service engine soon light came on. It stayed on for a few days then went off, a few days later it was back on, then a few days later went off, then it came on for a longer period of time and do the same thing, eventually it stayed on. Took it to the Chevy dealership where I bought it and they said the gas tank had a crack in it and needed to be replaced. Said it was probably from the gas nozzle hitting the tank when filling it up. Don't see how that is possible, when it is only me or my husband filling it up & how hard would you have to hit it for it to crack? had it replaced the next month. Now the service engine soon light is doing the same thing. Haven't taken it back in yet.

- Liberty Hill, TX, USA

problem #13

Oct 222010

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Not sure what to file this under, so I put it under fuel system, gasoline. Same day I was having problems with speedometer I was having problems with the gas gage. The arrow would go way past full, when I knew I only had about half a tank. The gas gage has been acting up ever since, I just have to keep track of my mileage to know when to fill it up. Have not had the problem fixed yet.

- Liberty Hill, TX, USA

problem #12

Dec 212010

Trailblazer EXT

  • 80,000 miles
1. fuel tank failure, with gas smell after fill up. 2. speedometer stopped working 3. temperature gage stopped working

- Murphy, TX, USA

problem #11

Jul 072006

Trailblazer EXT

  • 36,000 miles
Fuel pump failure on 2004 Chevy trailblazer at approx 36,000 miles.

- Saint Helens, OR, USA

problem #10

Mar 052010

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • miles
Crack in my fuel tank in my 2004 Chevy trailblazer.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #9

Sep 282009

Trailblazer EXT

  • 60,000 miles
My wife's 2004 Trailblazer ext service engine soon light came on in late September 2009. She had been complaining of a gasoline smell after filling the vehicle. I had the obdii code read and it was code 0440 evaporative fuel system - small leak. I was told to replace the gas cap, and it did not remedy the problem. I then found out that the 2002-2004 Trailblazer ext had a known problem with the gas tank filler necks developing cracks and causing the ses light to come on and gas to leak when the tank is filled or near full. I contacted Chevrolet, who stated that out trailblazer is not in the VIN range of Trailblazer ext's that were covered by a special notice that allowed the tanks to be replaced under a special extended warranty. The replacement cost is $900+. this is a known problem with 2004 Trailblazer ext, outside of the narrow VIN range that Chevrolet will admit to. All 2004 ext's should be included in the extended warranty. Our vehicle just turned 60,000 miles.

- Shelby, NC, USA

problem #8

Apr 022009

Trailblazer EXT

  • 80,000 miles
The nipple part of the fuel tank that connects the filler line to the fuel tank has cracked and leaks fuel when we fill up and when we drive and do to the fact that we park in the garage with the (wet) leaky side of the fuel tank within five feet of our gas water heater we are lucky people to be alive. (this is a faulty piece of plastic and by the way the reviews/complaints look on this site we are not the first to experience this issue).

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #7

Dec 262006

Trailblazer EXT

  • 43,000 miles
Leaking fuel tank. No fire yet! envirmental hazard.

- Fort Jennings, OH, USA

problem #6

Mar 252005

Trailblazer EXT

  • 8,400 miles
The vehicle was purchased in Sept 2004. In March 2005 I started noticing it was hard to start in the morning when it was cold and it idled roughly and would stall when I pressed the gas pedal to accelerate. The dealer found nothing wrong with it then. In April 2005, with 9400 miles on it, the service engine light came on so I took it back to dealership. They cleaned out (flushed) the fuel system and proceeded to tell me not to buy "cheap gas" because sometimes it will have particles in it that can clog up the fuel system (then what is the fuel filter for?). since then I have had the fuel system flushed three more times. I probably could have had it done more times, but it is extremely inconvenient to keep going to the dealership and being without a vehicle, so I just dealt with the rough idle and hesitations. I buy gas the same places as everyone else in my family, yet I am the only one experiencing this problem. I bought fuel injector cleaner and put it in the gas tank every couple of fillups. The dealership has offered to replace the fuel injector that keeps clogging, but of course none of the mechanics ever made note of which one it was. So when the problem recurs I must take it back to the dealership again.

- Earleville, MD, USA

problem #5

Oct 012008

Trailblazer EXT

  • 85,000 miles
Service engine soon light came on. Took it to auto zone and computer diagnosis was evap emission leak, small. Code:P0440. This happened twice over 2-3 week period. Replaced gas cap, that was not the problem. Light came back on. Took to dealership garage, I was told that I had a significant leak in my gas tank, at the filler neck, would cost $900 to fix it. Thing is, I had been driving this car around for over 3 weeks with my 2 small children in it with the possibility it could have caught on fire! how scary is that? dealership said it was not safe to drive due to possibility of catching fire. Contacted GM consumer service, awaiting their return call. They didn't seem interested in helping me. I know previous yrs (2002, 2003, and early 2004 models) have the same problem and was covered by GM or were recalled. I have never received a recall notice. I think it is suspicious that I have the same problem as previous yr models and I have only 85,000 miles on my car.

- Greenup, KY, USA

Read the next 4 complaints »