8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $420
- Average Mileage:
- 84,100 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 11 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (5 reports)
- $300 for new module plus 2 hours labor to change (2 reports)
- don't buy a chevy (1 reports)
- replace instrument panel (1 reports)
- sent instrument cluster to private place on my dime for repair (1 reports)
- the dealer covered the cost! (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
All these trailblazers have the same problem REcall!!!!!!Chevy!!!
- Andy W., Lake Elsinore, CA, US
After reading all these complaints about Chevy trailblazer dash cluster failures, I guess I am fortunate that my POS didn't start malfunctioning until after 100,000 miles. First speedometer quit, so I used the tach to gauge my speed. Now the tach is completely gone, it's anybody's guess at my speed now. Will not spend $50.00 on fixing this vehicle much less $500.00. The rest of my vehicles are Fords, and when I junk this one, it's replacement will be a Ford also. So glad I helped bail-out GM, what a deal !
- Scott M., Mercer, WI, US
Just like everyone else. Instrument cluster is on its own program. Waiting for a recall or a handout from Chevy to get it repaired. Not in the market for a new car in this economy so have to keep and repair the cars I have. GO NAVY!!
- navy doc, San Diego, CA, US
I own a 2003 TrailBlazer - 106,000 miles - I-6 engine, automatic transmission. Recently, while taking lengthy trips, after about 2 - 3 hours of Interstate driving, the speedometer would begin "losing speed", until dropping to below 0mph on an exit ramp. Fortunately the GPS, cruise control and Tachometer worked properly and I was able to maintain good highway speed. In every case of this malfunction (only on the Interstate), after turning the ignition off, taking a break, and restarting the car, the Speedometer worked properly. There was no other sign of malfunction in any other gauges.
It seems to me the servo unit in the Speedometer if the faulty part. Reading the other statements, it seems the dealers only will replace the entire instrument panel rather than use their ASE knowledge and certification to fix a recurring problem.
If there was a recall for this problem, the dealer said nothing to me about it when the vehicle was there for service. How would one find out about "silent recalls"? NTSB and Integrity seem to have been totally asleep. This IS a safety issue! And we bailed them out? wow - how sad
- teldriver, Dayton, OH, US
At around 58K miles, my '03 Trailblazers speedometer was working, not working, and showing ridiculous speeds while driving, like 105mph at about 35mph. I called my local Chevy dealer, (Mooney Chevrolet in DeKalb IL.) to report the problem. They tell me no problem, it's under warranty, make an appointment and we'll check it out. It should only take 10 minutes.
So I go to the dealer with my two boys, 8 months and 4 years old, and wait for over 2 hours to be told that they don't have the parts I need, but they will order them and call me when they come in. I wait 2 1/2 weeks and nothing. I call back and was told that the parts are on back order. I wait another 3 weeks. Call again, again parts are on back order. I wait another 2 1/2 weeks, all of a sudden i'm told it's not under warranty and it's gonna cost $450. I told the dealer to go scratch!
After some research, I find out that Chevy has a recall because of faulty stepper motors which is what all of the instruments in the dash use. But of course, they only cover the bigger trucks like the Avalanche, Tahoe, and Silverado, and not the Trailblazer! Shame on you Chevy! I have been a Chevy man since I could stand up by myself and never heard of such crap! I have 3 Chevys now.
So, in the end I ended up pulling my whole cluster out of the dash and shipping to a guy in MN that I found on ebay for repair. Aside from driving around for a week not knowing speed, temp, gas situation ect. it wasn't bad. It cost ME $135 and works beautifully. No thanks to Chevy. Apparently I am not the only one with this problem. You would think that Chevy would help out the customers who stand by them a little bit. No wonder the american car dealers are in so much trouble. They treat their customers like door mats.
- chevy?, DeKalb, IL, US
I feel completely betrayed by the dealership I used. Bought several other cars without the problems I had to endure.
Bought this Trailblazer as a 2nd car for our family (expecting a new baby) and a week after I drove it off the lot the speedometer started slipping. At first I could tell it was a little off, but couldn't be quite sure. I installed my TomTom GPS unit to check the satelite speed and WOW, I couldn't believe how much it was off. Called dealership and they claimed that since it is an interior component it is not covered under my states Lemon Law (BASTARDS!) Checked with local Chevy dealers and part was just under $400 and labor was $300. From what I have found on other sites and forums, this is becoming a major problem for not just trailblazer/envoys/ascenders... but also all late model GM vehicles.
GM needs to get the heads OUT OF THEIR ASSES, and fix these problems/reimburse loyal customers for these blatantly crude parts/labor charges for items that SHOULD never break. Just my $.02
- Anthony C., Granville, NY, US
Can't believe this problem hasn't been recalled as of yet. Coming on to this website and other browsing I've done, it appears that this is a long standing problem. Why hasn't GM recalled the issue? I'm driving down the highway and the speedometer says I'm going 120. I was in a school zone and I was keeping in with the flow of the other cars. I was actually going about 35mph. This prob really needs to be looked into by chevy. We pay a lot of money for these things and they need to work right. I cant afford to get a ticket because of an error that chevy has overlooked!!
- Rebecca E., Arthur City, TX, US
The first 30 days we had the Trailblazer the speedometer broke and when you were at a dead stop it said you were going 80mph! The whole cluster has to be replaced and thank god the dealer ate that! $500+ parts and labor FUN! Apparently its pretty common with these at around 50+k on them. Watch out
- Kelley H., Townshend, VT, US
This is the same vehicle that had the suspension mounts go bad at 50,000 miles. Had garage look at it and they again said trouble with Trailblazer speedo's but not covered under warranty. Estimate to fix about $400, parts and labor.
- Paul M., Hancock, MI, US
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. I HAD THE SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. IT MIRACULOUSLY STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE THE OTHER DAY AND MY SPEEDOMETER WAS POINTING SOUTH. FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS IT IS SLOWLY CREEPING UP, I THINK RIGHT NOW WHEN I TURN IT ON IT IS AT 90 MPH. I HAVE READ ON OTHER SITES THAT PEOPLE HAVE HADE THE SAME FLAW. MY BROTHER CANNED A 2005 TAHOE BECAUSE IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AMONG OTHERS. I USED TO SAY I WOULDN'T DRIVE ANYTHING BUT A CHEVY BUT I AM SERIOUSLY RECONSIDERING.
- Jill J., Ashley, IN, US
well speedometer goes from about 90 to way past 120. i've read online that you have to replace the stepper motors in the dash. i guess i will try that eventually. one of the many problems i've had with this car. gm crap
- revans38, Elizabeth, PA, US