8.1
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $480
- Average Mileage:
- 69,900 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 82 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (50 reports)
- replace instrumentation cluster (25 reports)
- replace stepper motor in the gauge cluster (5 reports)
- check grounds (1 reports)
- traded it in for a jeep (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
All of the gauges are randomly not working. What I mean by that is you can go out and start it up and drive away with the gas gauge and RMP gauge not working, then the next time you start it the gas gauge works but the speedometer doesn't work, then the next time the gas, rmp, oil, and so on. The only thing that is consistent so far is that when you go out and start the car and find an issue that issue will not go away until you turn off the car and start it up again. I was told that this is a bad instrument cluster and that it would cost at least $800. Because of the number of people having this problem there is no question that this should be a recall, but because of the economy being where it is and with GM filing Bankruptcy I don't see them caring enough to do it. The one auto company that is doing well on customer service and quality is Ford and I can tell you that because of this situation I will not be buying a GM again. I bought this car brand new so I know it was well taken care of.
There is no question that this is a safety issue and all we can hope for is that the safety commission will start to see all of the complaints on this one issue and force GM for recall this problem.
- rreiter, Colorado Springs, CO, US
Lots Of cluster problems got mine fixed still not right bringing it back again my buddy has 55000 on his also bad!! GM did not recall Blazers. some models they did.
- Steve H., Oconto, WI, US
With as many owners of this style of vehicle and with the pick ups the same year that are covered by warranty with same problem and the Trailblazers are not covered I just don't understand why one style of Chevrolet the same year with the same problem have a recall and the other one doesn't. I own 3 Chevrolets and I believe in them and with all the problems the company has not selling cars it looks like they would be happy to fix this problem to keep their customers and their customers would praise them for their service. Problems like this are why people don't buy their products and go to other companies
- truckinstew, Chrisman, IL, US
Instrument cluster going crazy wasn't all the time early on now it is Had to have the ignition module replaced already now it appears the PCM is failing based on how the system gauges go crazy and dash display goes nuts. The fuel efficiency is dropping. I have been a GM loyalist but very displeased with the current GM response to an unGODLY amount of complaints on this vehicle. There are safety issues involved!!!!
- barryhennessey, Hallandale, FL, US
gauges are messing up and it is a big problem and i can't afford to fix it
- Kenneth B., Newton, GA, US
It is a real pain !! First the RPM stop working. I didn't care much, but in couple of months the speedometer started to act crazy. It goes all around, the best is passing by the police showing that I am doing 110. I don't think the car can even make that fast !!! I check for recalls and so far doesn't seems to be one. If there is a cheap cost to fix this problem I will fix other wise I will wait.
- saniewski, Whitehouse Station, NJ, US
I'd just like to add my name to the list of growing complaints on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer's instrument panel problems. I was driving on the Interstate a few days ago and the speedometer just gradually dropped to 0MPH. Since I had previously heard of this problem I didn't panic. I pulled off to get some fuel and after I started the vehicle back up everything seemed to be working normal, until today. I was on my way to work and the speedometer turned past 120MPH and held steady no matter how much I sped up or slowed down. Now at a stop the speedometer is at 120MPH and continues clockwise as I accelerate. I really hope GM recalls this problem soon!!! I don't have $800+ to fix this. I'm assuming its only a matter of time before the other gauges screw up!
- dsandjr911, Hot Springs National Park, AR, US
I bought a 2004 Trailblazer the other day and before I got home the Speedometer stopped working. So I took it to my mechanic and he did the computer check and came up with problem code P-0128. The next morning I took it back to the dealership and told them what had happened in the last 12 hours. They could not believe it. After reading this AutoBeef I can believe it. I wished that I had found this AutoBeef last week. The dealership said the repairs would cost over $800. and that they would pay for all of the expense and the deductible.
- tulsawild, Tulsa, OK, US
This makes me sick to read all the same problems on the 2004 Trailblazer. My instrument panel gauges all read zero this morning one week after replacing the battery and thermostat. This is a major expense I can't afford but I have to have transportation. Shame on you GM for causing such hardship. I guess I made a really bad choice in cars and can't afford a new one. I'll definitely be calling that 800 number to add my complaint!
- Karen S., Sun City Center, FL, US
The RPM and Battery gauges are gone. I feel so sorry for those guys who lose their odometer. That could be a serious liability if someone has an accident.
- Chad D., Tempe, AZ, US
The Gas gauge fluctuates so much I have to keep half to a full tank. One second it could say full the next totally empty. I have also noticed my warning lights go on and off so much I do not notice them anymore. My locks have been reprogrammed a few times and I still can't open all my doors all the time. I gave up on that one. My interior lights on the dash sometimes don't work. Now the pedal sensors need to be reprogrammed because my car is confused between the gas and brake causing me to accelerate when not expecting. All computer problems.
- flynnmelis, Washington, NJ, US
I bought this used in 2008 and it had about 96000 kms on it when I bought it. About a year later, the speedometer stopped working. The speedometer sometimes moves but not often and when it does move it is never right. GM should come good for this since there are a lot of complaints.
- Trever W., Brockville, Ontario, Canada
The main issue I have with my truck is that the fuel gauge fluctuates. From a full tank down to about 1/4 of a tank it's fine. Once it hits the 1/4 tank mark the light will come on on one trip and the next time I go somewhere it's back up to 1/4 or a hair below. Since i don't want to run the risk of running out of gas, I usually throw $20 in it. With $20 it damn near goes up to 1/2 a tank. What the heck is going on? Looking at the other complaints, this is an issue that definitely needs to be recalled asap.
- Joe D., Wilmington, DE, US
The tachometer is pegged al the way over and the oil pressure gauge points straight down. Sometimes the speed odometer goes crazy. It has been an ongoing problem since it started a year ago.
- belitztn, Bristol, TN, US
The dealer will want to charge you to replace the entire gauge cluster. With a little mechanical know how and a soldering iron you can simply remove the gauge cluster and replace the faulty stepper motors for about $15 per motor. You can even get the replacement motors on ebay.
- Brandon R., Nicholasville, KY, US
I also have a 2004 Trailblazer that the gauges stopped working. It started out with miss-reading the speed, as in reading higher than the actual speed. like going 120 mph when really going 25 mph. Now it is currently stuck with the needle pointing straight at neutral. Then just last week. My low fuel light came on. The next time I started the truck it was up to 1/2 a tank and as I drove it went to 3/4 then 10 miles later it slowly dropped back to 1/4 then the light came on again and then back to a 1/4 of tank.
This is an on going problem with these trucks. I know 3 other people with Trailblazers and 2 of them are having the same problem. The dealership told me it would run about $850 to fix and needless to say it has not been. They are off their brains. This needs to be a recall.
- superman5000, Mentor, OH, US
They need to recall this problem with the gauges on the dash and if they don't fix the problem i'm going to drive it up someone's special place. It needs to be recalled
- Chris S., Eudora, KS, US
At first, it was only the fuel gauge that quit working. I have to use the trip mileage to be able to know when to fill up the vehicle. When I asked about it, they said it would cost over $550 for a new instrument panel. I couldn't afford it, so I kept driving without repairing it. Then after a trip, the speedometer messed up. Then again yesterday, the speedometer went out and I had to travel over 100 miles not knowing how fast I'm going. This is awful! I have one more payment on this vehicle. While I've had the vehicle, the engine light has come on consistently. One other problem I had shortly after I purchased the vehicle was the flashers quit working. That was covered.
- essary, Natchez, MS, US
battery went dead. when new battery was installed, all of my gauges are going crazy. was told by dealer this is not covered under a recall, even though my friend owns a 2004 Chevy full size truck and the exact same thing happened and it was covered under a recall. was told it will cost almost a thousand dollars to fix. after reading other complaints, i am hesitant to have it fixed, because of chance of it happening again.
after a month, two new batteries installed, a new alternator, taking it to three different mechanics and the chevy dealer where I purchased the car, it still does not start randomly. Also, the tachometer, speedometer, and battery gauge do not work at all. sometimes some of the other gauges work, but sometimes they do not. called chevy. all they said was take it back to the dealer AGAIN
- bankgirl45, Reading, PA, US
click to see larger images
There should be a recall to fix this problem it is crazy with only 54,000 miles the gauges quit working properly. Don't know half the how fast I am going and now the rpm don't work, that just started yesterday. Help GM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- rboswell, Port Orange, FL, US