8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$440
Average Mileage:
69,600 miles
Total Complaints:
64 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (30 reports)
  2. replace the instrument panel (18 reports)
  3. recall this problem (14 reports)
  4. a recall and chevy pays for it (1 reports)
  5. remove cluster/send for repair (1 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Aug 172009

Trailblazer LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

I only the truck less than two month before i started to have problem , first none of my gauges would work. Did not know how much gas i had in the truck, so why want Chevrolet recall these damn trucks .

- Kevin P., Douglasville, GA, US

problem #43

May 252010

Trailblazer LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,810 miles

speedometer and oil pressure gauge mal-function and the local Chevy dealer says there is no known complaints about this and quoted us a price of $541 to fix the instrument panel cluster after we declined to have it fixed they came back with a $198 to fix.Why?

- William A., Auburn, NY, US

problem #42

Sep 162009

Trailblazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

I purchased a 2004 trailblazer used. I have owned chevy's all my life and if they dont help me soon I will become a ford owner. The gas gauge has been acting up since we bought it and now the whole instrument cluster has went out. I have called corporate chevrolet in Detroit Michigan. You get a little flunky that tells you that he has only had 2 complaint in his time as corporate customer service(bs) which consists of (he says 5 years, bs again). I was told that GM could not do anything to help me (even though GM has done recalls on the chevy Silverado and Ukon because of the instrument cluster going out) and they do not do the recalls, but the NHTS ( NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTION AND SAFETY COUNSEL) does them. I asked for the number and he studdard around but finally gave it to me, the # is 1-888-327-4236. I called the NHTS and was told the GM's game is to lie, but they don't do the recalls that GM does them but most time the NHTS has to make them voluntary or throught court.

Every one that has this problem needs to flood the NHTS and GM corporate office, phone #1-313-556-5000, to complain about this so they will be forced to do a recall. At the time I call the NHTS there were on 158 complaints and I was 159. 3 weeks ago I called to check the status and there had been 167. The only way to get a recall going is the call the numbers above and complain. I am sick and tired of corporate American gettng away with this junk. GM has made alot of money off of me and now refuse to help me.

- sheilageorgia, Good Hope, GA, US

problem #41

Apr 022009

Trailblazer LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Have the same problem all have mentioned on this site. I have a 2004 Chev Trailblazer and speedometer stopped working at about 60,000 miles. Contacted Chevrolet and of course it was not covered and there was no recall so I spent aprox $350.00 to fix it and guess what????? The new instrument cluster is now not working after 4 or 5 months and my service engine light is now on too. I am relying on my tachometer to determine my speed but it seems to be going haywire too. Seems to me if Chevrolet valued it's customers and wanted them to return buy they would actually do something about this problem. I am buying a gps system and will let that calculate my mph. I was told to buy a Chevy because they were so dependable and easy to work on. What a crock! Will never buy one again and it's too bad that you have to spend so much money on a vehicle these days and can get no customer support. WAY TO GO CHEVY!

- Susan C., Cassville, MO, US

problem #40

Jun 012010

Trailblazer LX 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

Having the same problems everyone is having with the control panels gauges, Now my SUV is not wanting to crank, I have to let it sit for a while. my reduce engine light comes on and i start to loose power while driving. I filed a complaint with NHTSA ( national highway transportation safety association. and BBC. Maybe if everyone filed complaints with them while they are complaining and blooging something will be done...

- Joan S., Russellville, AL, US

problem #39

May 142009

Trailblazer LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

The whole system stop working..... Had to get a used one off the internet

- dr2500, Reisterstown, MD, US

problem #38

Oct 302009

Trailblazer LS EXT 4.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

RPM Gauge allows seems to read zero, and speedopmeter shows incorrect speed. When the issue first occurred, I was using cruise control then shortly after turning cruise control off I noticed the speedometer was displaying about 40 miles per hour plus the speed I was traveling. I disconnected the battery over night in hopes that RPM and Speedometer would work normally after reconnecting battery... THIS DID NOT FIX IT. Now, after normal driving the speedometer displays incorrect speed. If I'm going about 10 miles an hour then slow down to a crawl it still displays about 10 miles per hour. When I travel on highway speed the speedometer mostly displays a low speed than I'm traveling.

First, I called Chevy dealership and they said its the "instrument cluster" so will replace it for about $500, Secondly, I called GM at 1-800-222-1020 and they said there is no recall for the Chevy as of 4/29/2010; and they said that I should take it to qualified Chevy dealership to perform tests. I see GM/ Chevy "instrument cluster/panel" issue cluttering the internet. I'm looking to join a class action lawsuit.

- patrickwa, Vancouver, WA, US

problem #37

Mar 082009

Trailblazer LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,562 miles

WOW I thought I was the only one with the gauge problem! I find the trailblazer to be a POS! My gauges are all out of whack! my RPMS stay a 6, it looks like Im going a 115 at all times I never no how fast im going and on top of that the damn thing overheats! the great fans they put in them stop working! Im very angry! I paid 10grand for the piece and Im a student busting my ass to pay for it! Thank you GM for providing me with crap!

- angiew, Fort Wayne, IN, US

problem #36

Mar 272010

Trailblazer LT 4.2L 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Seems like I'm not the only one with this problem. My instrument panel has been working on and off since I've owned it, it's come to the point where I just live with it. I went to a chevy dealer and asked about it and they were going to charge me over $800, $100 of which goes to diagnose the problem. $100 when I already told them what the problem was. So, I never got it fixed. I went to ebay and they had a guy who would fix it for $130.00. It deals with the cheaply made gauge motors that move the needles behind the instrument panel. He takes them off and puts new heavy duty gauge motors behind it so you won't have to worry about it again. The problem is, you have to take the panel out of the vehicle and send it in to him (he works in winona, minnesota).

Maybe, one of these days, I will send it in, but until then, I have a couple of low cost ways of living with this problem. I find that turning the vehicle on and off several times will eventually reset the gauges, temporarily. I know it's killing my starter, but it's the quick fix. Also, as speedometer problems go, buy a garmin gps, an extra mount and a package of velcro with sticker backing to it. Stick the velcro to the top of the instrument panel right in front of the speedometer. Stick the other velcro to the extra mount piece. Now you can mount the garmin and stick the velcro together, thereby mounting it in front of your speedometer. Plug the charger into the gps and the lighter socket and set your gps to speedometer mode. There you go, an instant accurate speedometer that seconds as a navigation device. The reason why I suggested an extra mount is so you can use one mount for this and the other mount to stick to any other vehicle or other spot in your vehicle.

- William M., Seattle, WA, US

problem #35

Mar 112009

Trailblazer LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

It started with my RPM then the speedometer now the oil gauge is out. I too took my car to the dealership and was told there was no recall. This really sucks. This is very dangerous!

- thissucks, Gulfport, MS, US

problem #34

Feb 072010

Trailblazer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,200 miles

Had same problem with no gauges working. Taking to dealer to fix tomorrow. I will complain there, write a nasty note to GM and call NTSA at 800-424-9393 to hope for a recall and maybe reimbursement

- Debbie P., Margate, NJ, US

problem #33

Jul 012009

Trailblazer LT Inline 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,250 miles

as many of you i have the dash problems too & the only thing that i have found to help (just for awhile) is to disconnect the battery & it will reset .believe me this is not a fix ,but it will get your tack & speedo back to working .And i to think it needs to be recalled

- robertvirginia, Chester, VA, US

problem #32

Jan 012010

Trailblazer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

This is a bullshit problem and GM sould recall a fix to this problem. this is why GM is losing so many customers.

- David J., Fairview, NM, US

problem #31

Apr 172008

Trailblazer LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Let me start by saying I WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. I've always been a Ford guy but my wife really liked the trailblazers so we got one.......BIG MISTAKE this vehicle has been one headache after another (dash gauges don't work, flickering lights, fuse panel underneath hood came loose). I will do everything in my power to persuade someone from buying a Chevy vehicle. If they can't recall this very common problem then screw them. I hope they go bankrupt again.

- Jesse D., Bucyrus, OH, US

problem #30

Jun 102009

Trailblazer LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

The fuel gauge stopped working shortly after the speedometer stopped working. Now the battery gauge is moving around. There are a few lights out on the radio also. HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL?? This is the LAST Chevy I buy.

- peteg, Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #29

Feb 222010

Trailblazer LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

there are so many websites on this problem. I found 1 that had over 125 people with the same exact problem. gm had a lawsuit that they lost for 2003-2005 suburbans, trucks, Tahoes etc... that had the same exact problem. they covered them (but not the trailblazer). I bet it is the exact same instrument panel, but they don't want to agree that they messed up on it too! we need a recall on this item. please contact Chevy!!!!

- jillb, Auburn, IL, US

problem #28

Feb 012010

Trailblazer LT 4.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

WOW, i can't believe how many people are having the same problem with their 04 trailblazer. My oil,battery and gas gauges first went then 2 days ago my speedometer stopped working. I took to mechanic paid $90 for him to take dash apart to diagnose just in case it was a bad ground and NOPE it's the instrument cluster panel!!! I called GM, lots of recalls for this problem BUT not for the Trailblazer.

If anyone has info on a cheap fix for this let me know. Also just wanted to let you know my map sensor and my coolant sensor and thermostat all went in 1 week and also my A/C controller went too??? I will never buy Chevy again!! I sold my Ford Expedition for this truck and NEVER should have.

- Samantha M., Palm City, FL, US

problem #27

Oct 152009

Trailblazer LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

This is really bull sh*t. My dad who worked for GM can not even get anything done about my Trailblazer. My gauges are all screwed up. I don't know how fast I am going or even if I have enough gas to go to work. My RPMs are messed up bad too. This is just stupid. I have never had a problem with GM's product until now. At 74,000 miles had to replace a wheel hub assembly that bull sh*t and when I only had 52,000 I had the stabilizer pin go out. What is the problem with GM. They are to have the best product. I am now looking to Ford and hope they are better. We all need to complain to GM about fixing these problems that the Trailblazers have. Nothing like this should be going out on them. I am worried that mine is going to catch on fire when I have my step kids and a new grand baby in the car with me.

- Kristina T., Jackson, MI, US

problem #26

Feb 142009

Trailblazer EXT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

It seems that this is a recurring problem on the trailblazer and should have a recall on it. It is costly to fix and replace this .

- maugie1313, Plainwell, MI, US

problem #25

Oct 012009

Trailblazer LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I didn't realize how many people are experiencing this problem with the failure of the speedometer and the instrument panel in general. The problem I have is the RPM gauge does not work, the speedometer is stuck at 65 mph and my oil gauge is pinned at the maximum. I plan on complaining to the National Highway Safety Board and the Better Business Bureau due to the fact that this is a severe highway safety problem and there is no recall from GM. There are several other vehicles that have beern recalled by GM but not the Chevy Trailblazer. I encourage all people wih this problem to complain loudly about this and maybe get some satisfaction.

- thepowerrulz, Pensacola, FL, US

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