10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 11
- Average Mileage:
- 53,851 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.
I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer ext.... so it goes, I was preparing for my long road trip to yosemite, and had just fueled up. Once I turned on the car the check engine light went on and then I noticed the gas gauge moving randomly, back and forth. It then stayed on empty. Well I called our mechanic since we were leaving on a road trip and he recommended I fill up at every 200 miles to be safe. After I was told of the expense to fix it, I continue to prolong the repair and decided to do further research into this situation. I am baffled by the amount of people who have experience this problem and still no recall by GM. Can you imagine the people who have not reported the problem and just take it directly to their mechanic to fix. Should everyone be reporting the incident we may have gotten this to turn into a recall. Well in hopes that my complaint helps...here it goes. Good luck to everyone who is experiencing this problem. It sucks not knowing how much gas you really have.
- Fontana, CA, USA
After putting fuel in my tank, I started to pull out of the gas station and noticed my check engine light came on and my fuel gauge was bouncing back and forth between empty and full. This went on for the entire day as I was running errands. Then the gauge dropped to empty and stayed there as well as my check engine light staying on. The next day the gauge stayed at empty and my check engine light was still on. I stopped by my mechanic to have them check and see what was going on and explained to them what had happened the day before. They check the code and found that it was the fuel sensor and right after they checked the code the check engine light went out and the fuel gauge went to full. They told me to keep an eye on it and let them know if it happened again that they would have to replace it. I closely watched the fuel gauge and noticed that my fuel gauge was not moving even after driving over 100 miles it was still showing full. At this time I started logging the mileage each week I filled my tank as I was concerned that I would run out of fuel because the fuel gauge was not registering correctly. This continued every week for months. Then the check engine light and the fuel gauge started doing this more often during the week. So I brought it back to my mechanic and had the fuel sensor replaced. Since then with all the recalls that have been happening I decided to see if my vehicle was part of any of the recalls that were going on and noticed the complaints on the fuel sensor. I saw that there may be a chance that I could get reimbursed for 50 percent of the repair work that I had to have done as they were not doing a full recall on this issue. If there is a chance for reimbursement I would like to know what my next step is to start the process.
- Springfield, MA, USA
The fuel gauge reads empty when filled up. Then the fuel indicator will go from empty to full to anywhere between.
- Columbus, GA, USA
Fuel sensor stop working... even if you fill the tank, fuel gauge will read empty at all times. I have ran out of gas in the middle of the road with my grandchild in the truck. I took it to a dealer, they said they will not cover the cost. I took it again with a letter from others mechanics stating it the fuel sensor on the check engine light, however the dealership will not replace. The want to charge me $900. Chevy needs to get this fix...
- South Ozone Pk, NY, USA
I just want to get some information out there on my experience: Battery replacement seem ways too often 8/2008, 10/2010, 9/2013 - and there is no notice until you cannot start it one day. First thing to go was the idle pulley. I have had the water pump/thermostat/belts replaced multiple times 50K, 60K, 87K. Headlights and tail lights replaced at least 3 times each. I have had to clean the throttle block plate multiple times or the TB will stall when the brake is applied or heat/ac on. I have come to find out that there are many non-oem parts which I never replaced (I purchased used w/17K miles) and nothing showed up on car fax or other reports about accidents or repairs. I had the gas guage/tank/float repaired while it was under warranty still and then a year later it broke again, and I am still riding with it broken (at least the last 5 years), which of course keeps my check engine light on nearly all the time. I just located the notice that GM is now doing 100% of the repair and I will be making an appointment to get it fixed as I will not pass inspection and I never know how much gas I have. I fill every 200 miles. There are other minor issues such as interior lights going out, both of the front seats have detached from the side molding (only 1 little screw holds them in), the rear washer has not worked in about 6 years. I also have loud noises coming out of the tires/wheels and no one can determine an exact cause, but it's not the brakes or rotors or anything like that. I currently have under 89K miles. I am waiting for the door electrical system to go next as that seems like what is next on the list of TB issues.
- Tempe, AZ, USA
Fuel gauge does not work and vehicle is at times losing fuel pressure.
- Troy, NY, USA
For months I have been having issues with my vehicle. It was taken in to Chevrolet for a recall repair and now it seems to have all sorts of problems! my fuel gauge in the tank is no longer working, my A/C was working one day but not the next, the check engine light turns on and off, it's dumping fuel, the thermostat had to be replaced...when do the problems end? now come to find out after having my blower motor replaced the connector for the electrical has had a little bit of melting issue which potentially could have caught fire!!! of course General Motors wants and arm and a leg to replace it!!!! I don't think I will ever buy another Chevy again, this is ridiculous! if it had caught fire which I am sure if people can't afford or don't get their vehicles properly checked there will be one that happens to, it could kill someone! seems like a liability waiting to happen!
- Port Richey, FL, USA
This is to report a defect that is a safety issue with the fuel sensing system. This is to document my claim for recall purposes. There have been two incidents, but I am reporting the first incident to keep this report short. While I was driving the fuel indicator showed about full, then all of a sudden, it dropped to less than empty and my fuel light engaged. As I was driving to get to the nearest gas station, the engine stopped while I was driving in traffic. Luckily, I was in a position to let the vehicle roll around a corner. It was in a dangerous place just as cars were completing the turn. I put the emergency flashers on and exited the vehicle. I was fortunate to be able to get out of the car before an accident could occur. It was also fortunate that my vehicle didn't cause an accident that could have hurt someone besides myself. The other reason why this is a safety concern, is I have a rare medical condition that affects my lungs and heart. It placed me in a potentially dangerous position to heat exposure. I have a hard time breathing in heat and humidity. Again, fortune was on my side, and there was a tree for shade to wait for help and it was one month before it got dangerously hot. Granted, there is always a chance anything could happen to a car that could potentially place me in the same position, but in this case, another occurrence occurred and when I called a local mechanic, it was well known that has been an issue with the fuel sensor. Upon further research, I am among many that has made this complaint and placed in dangerous predicaments. To replace a small sensor costs a whole months income in my case. I do not feel it is appropriate to require a consumer to pay and replace a defective component that is a safety issue. It is my intent this ongoing investigation comes to a close, as I have seen reports since 2011.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
After starting the car, I watched the half tank fuel gauge drop to empty. I went to fill up the tank and it didn't take but about a half a tank. The gauge still show empty and warning low fuel was on. Soon the engine light came on after driving a short distance. The fuel gauge continues to show empty.. the tank is full.
- Castle Rock, CO, USA
Just filled gas tank at service station. When restarting the engine the fuel gauge read empty and hasn't changed.
- Papillion, NE, USA
My 2006 Chevy Trailblazer has been having difficulties with the fuel gage. No matter how much gas I put in the gage shoots to over full, then within a day goes to empty and warning light goes on. I called my dealership as my car's warranty expired 6 months ago, and was told it was problem the gas tank unit or sender and that it could cost up to $1000 to fix. After doing some research I come across several other complaints to this same effect and GM is only willing to pay for 50% of the repair costs. My vehicle only has 43,000 miles and is in perfect condition with regular maintenance. There should be a recall on this item ad GM should be responsible for full payment of repairs.
- Wilmington, DE, USA
The fuel gauge has stopped working, my research shows that is a big problem, it shows empty all the time.
- Oneonta, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the driver side window started opening and closing independently. In addition, the side mirror started moving forward and backward independently and without activation. After parking the vehicle, the engine would shut itself off and the entire electrical system would become inoperable. Also, none of the doors could be unlocked and the failure would recur for several minutes before the contact would be able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who advised that the power window module was defective, causing all of the electrical system to become inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 12V406000: (electrical system) but her VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who confirmed that the contact's VIN was not included in the recall, offering no further assistance. The failure mileage was 71,000. Updated 10/10/12 updated 10/10/2012
- Valparaiso, IN, USA
The fuel gauge read 3/4 of a tank so we did not stop to get gas, thinking we had enough to get home. 3min later we ran out on the hwy with 4 children in the car 2 that are under the age of 2.
- Morrow , OH, USA
The gas gauge does not work and is a safety concern. The first time this occurred was at the gas station after I filled up. Over the past 8 months it became worse and now it stays on empty even with a full tank. I purchased this car used from a BMW dealer just last July. I have researched online and have seen where this is a very common problem among Chevy Trailblazers that may involve a fuel sensor.
- Nashville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed an empty reading even though fuel was present in the fuel tank. The contact received a notice from the manufacturer stating that they were aware of the failure. The manufacturer also stated that the fuel sensor needed to be replaced before it completely failed. The contact also stated that this failure could lead to additional failures. The manufacturer offered to pay for half of the repair costs. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 62,000. Updated 07/13/12 updated 07/18/12
- Tallahasse, FL, USA
Gas gauge fluctuates, filled gas tank, moments later it went down to empty (warning light and sound went off). This has happened for the past week. Prior to this the check engine would sporadically go off and on, probably an early indicator that there was a problem with the fuel gauge.
- Johns Creek, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was defective and as a result, she was unable to tell the level of fuel in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel sensor and fuel pump needed to be replaced at a cost of $ $600. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered to pay for half of the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 108,000. Updated 06/26/12 the consumer stated she ran out of gas twice. Updated 06/27/11
- Gardner, KS, USA
Gas gauge stopped working for no apparent reason. Needle jumps from full to empty to half, etc. While driving. Unable to gauge how much gas is in the tank.
- Fort Plain, NY, USA
- Hellertown, PA, USA