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CarComplaints.com Notes: It would be ill-advised to blaze any trails with the 2004 Trailblazer. Its faulty fuel gauge could leave you stranded.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 11
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,256 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 14 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #120

Oct 272009

Trailblazer

  • 61,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My instrument panel ABS, airbag, battery, and brake lights all came on with the temperature, fuel, batter voltage, and oil pressure gauges not working. After a few days my battery went dead. Replaced the battery thinking this was causing the problem then none of gauges worked and all the panel lights were off. Nothing was happening on the instrument panel. Started the car the next day and had original problem. Dealer checked it out and recommended a new instrument panel cluster module at about $475 installed. Very big safety issue if you can't tell what's going on with your car like gas level and engine temperature.

- Pennsauken, NJ, USA

problem #119

Oct 272009

Trailblazer

  • 65,135 miles
Speedometer on my 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer lt is displaying erratic readings. When the vehicle is parked the speedometer is showing the vehicle is moving at 40 mph. When driving at speeds approximately 40 mph the speedometers shows the vehicle is moving at 90 mph. Multiple posts regarding this issue online. Faulty instrument clusters on these vehicles. Also, before the speedometer began showing erratic readings today, the speedometer didn't move smoothly. When accelerating the speedometer moved one tick at a time, similar to how the second hand on a clock moves. The next time I got in the car after this happened is when the speedometer started showing inaccurate speed ratings. This is a safety issue since you can not tell how fast the vehicle is traveling. My vehicle currently has 65,000 miles. I purchased it 2.5 years ago when it had 29,000 miles at carmax. I haven't had the vehicle repaired yet, but all posts I have read online indicate that the entire instrument panel will need to be replaced.

- Cookeville, TN, USA

problem #118

Apr 202009

Trailblazer

  • 92,000 miles
Low beam headlight connection shorts out and burns, and heater and A/C controls don't work anymore when you try to turn on heat or A/C kills engine. I have already replaced the liftgate module, that fixed the problem of not being able to lock the vehicle and sometimes starting it. This all started at about 92,000 miles. Estimated repair cost for heat and A/C around $600.

- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA

problem #117

Jun 152008

Trailblazer

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer lt V6, and my gauges fluctuate so much that I do not know how fast I'm going, if I really need gas, if my engine is running hot or not...I'm afraid to drive the vehicle. I started to rent cars when I needed to travel out of town, because I was concern about making it to my destination as well as coming back home safely. I have been so upset and trying to figure out what to do. I start looking for a company/group to hear my cry...as I surfed the internet, I found several interesting stories similar to my complaint and nothing has been done to correct the problem. I will not be purchasing another GM product anymore, because as a consumer, I deserve to have a problem fixed/solved if I purchase a product or service from an organization. I hope and pray that no one gets hurt or killed as a result of this problem with the Chevy Trailblazer vehicles. I would love to get my vehicle fix without having to pay $500-800, because frankly I do not have that kind of money to spend. Thanks for all your help!!

- Laplace, LA, USA

problem #116

Oct 092009

Trailblazer

  • 41,539 miles
My daughter drives a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. She was driving home from college the other day when the engine suddenly cut off on the highway. She still had use of the gas pedal and steering but all other functions stopped. Fortunately, she was in heavy traffic, going slowly and was able to roll to a stop on the shoulder. After about 5 minutes, she was able to restart the vehicle and drove the rest of the way home without incident. Since my husband and I decided that it was too dangerous for her to drive back to school, we took the car in for service. I might add that there was a recall of this vehicle in 2007 (?) that involved "corrosion in the fuel tank modular reservoir assembly." This recall item was replaced by Chevrolet when we took it in for service but the technician said it probably had nothing to do with the incident on 10-9. so, after "extensive additional diagnostics" and a few test drives, Chevy technicians said they could find nothing further wrong with the vehicle and were unable to duplicate the incident. Additional information: We bought the car from carmax approximately 1.5 years ago. I should also mention that the same thing has happened at least two times prior to the October 9, 2009 incident, but at the time, it just seemed like a glitch. In the past few days, I have been on the internet reading about many similar incidents (among other troubling flaws with this car) with the 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. In some cases, the vehicles were going at high speed when they shut down. Here are the links: www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2004/Chevrolet/Trailblazer www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Trailblazer/2004/electrical/gauges_fluctuate.shtml I am terrified that this will happen again and that the outcome will not be good. Could you please tell me why has there not been a recall on this vehicle for what appears to be an extremely dangerous condition.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #115

Oct 042009

Trailblazer

  • 35,185 miles
10/04/09, instrument panel of 2004 Chevy Trailblazer began to malfunction. Speedometer and all gauges are inaccurate, cycle on and off, warning lights cycle randomly on and off continuously. Unable to identify accurate vehicle speed. Contacted GM dealership and GM safety/defect reporting on 10/05/09 - filed a complaint. Researched that similar GM trucks/SUVS have had similar defects and special coverages or recalls but not the Trailblazer. Other complaints to NHTSA have also been filed. I have not had the problem repaired.

- New Berlin, WI, USA

problem #114

Jul 042009

Trailblazer

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Speedometer is inoperable. Tachometer works occassionally. Oil gauge is now starting to fail. There are only 41,000 miles on this vehicle and it is not only inconvenient to operate this vehicle without a speedometer, it is unsafe. Speedometer was the first gauge to go, then the tachometer began to faulter and the oil gauge followed. Tach sometimes resets itself to zero and may work for a week before it begins to fail again. There was no specific event leading up to the instrument cluster failure. It just began one gauge at a time. I have had it looked at by two seperate mechanics and was told that instrument failure in this type of vehicle is very common although no recall has been issued to correct this problem. I can have it repaired for $500 - $1000. Anything that you can do will be greatly appreciated.

- Williamston, MI, USA

problem #113

Sep 202009

Trailblazer

  • miles
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer all the dashboard gauges and digital displays have stopped working. To name a few the speedometer, fuel gauge and shifting gear.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #112

Apr 132009

Trailblazer

  • 55,000 miles
I have a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer that has faulty gauges. A few months ago my Trailblazer speedometer became inoperative, and it currently points straight down. Same goes with my oil gauge. It has been estimated between 500-600 dollars to repair, but after research, I have found many consumers have done this for the same problem to resurface. I feel that not knowing what speed you are going poses a major threat to my family, myself and anyone else on the road. Please resolve this issue.

- California City, CA, USA

problem #111

Dec 012005

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
2004 Chevy Trailblazer speedometer shows incorrect speed. Actual speed about 30mph. Shows 80>120, also shows 120mph when sitting still. Various incorrect speeds very high mph when actual speeds 20>65.. ongoing problem for past several years. Daughter drove vehicle and reported to dealerships but they wanted to charge extravagant amounts to fix it. She couldn't afford it and nor could I. we drove it as is.

- Teague, TX, USA

problem #110

Sep 162009

Trailblazer

  • 54,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer lt.. my gauges for oil, speedometer, water are not working at times. The speedometer will say I am doing 90 when in fact I am only going 35 mph if that! I don't use the highway much, more city driving and I see that my Trailblazer is not the only one will this problem. I really feel that a recall needs to be done by GM on this problem. Other Trailblazer owners have been reporting this problem since 2006. I have been told by my GM dealership that it will be about $600 to correct this problem. Can someone please make GM listen to us owners and issue a recall. Thank you!

- North Yarmouth, ME, USA

problem #109

Jun 012008

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles
2004 Chevy Trailblazer speedometer malfunctioning.

- Willowick, OH, USA

problem #108

Jan 082009

Trailblazer

  • 51,000 miles
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer ls: 76K miles 1. instrument panel intermittently malfunctions under normal operating conditions, the speedometer will not register correct speed and will move past 120 mph when in park (needle pointing straight down), sounds like a popping or crackling noise from instrument panel at times. I thought this problem was more prone to happen more with very cold or very hot temperature outside but now also happens no matter what the temperature is outside. Only way I have found to get speedometer back to zero is to start engine and turn off engine after minute or so - this process could take starting/re-starting 20 to 30 times to get speedometer back to zero. Bad for starter and consumes too much gasoline to continue doing this. 2. service engine soon light comes on intermittently under normal operating conditions. All electrical (lights, radio, A/C, etc.) cut offs and engine cuts off when driving under normal conditions - sometimes this occurs while driving and sometimes occurs when slowing to stop at a traffic light. At times I will smell a burning smell like something electrical is burning. I immediately pull over, turn off the car and check under the hood but cannot see anything burning however I smell it. After the vehicle sits for a few minutes it can be restarted and I do not smell the burning smell. I am a single mom with college/high school children (ages 25, 22, 17) living at home and I have a 7 month old grandchild at home. I am on a very limited budget and do not have money to repair either of these problems as the vehicle is out of warranty. Both of these issues are safety issues. There are tons of complaints regarding Chevy Trailblazers on the internet. When will GM be held accountable for manufacturing and selling lemons!?! GM needs to accept responsibility and repair these lemons - the consumer's safety is at stake here.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #107

Apr 012009

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 10-15 mph, the vehicle started to loose power. Occasionally the vehicle shut off, the battery and RPM gauges also stopped working. The contact feels is aware of the safety risk since the vehicle shut off without warning which could result in a crash. The current mileage was 90,000 and the failure mileage was 70,000.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #106

Aug 162009

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
Had P0128 code for about 1 year. Replaced thermostat after P1680 code, reduced engine power light came on. Reduced engine power light went away on next crank up to move vehicle and change thermostat. ABS and brake lights both on intermittently. Tachometer has been sticking and speedometer showed erratic signs around 55 mph. Now all gauges going wacko or not working at all at times. Temperature gauge wrapped completely around without even starting cold engine. About a mile later, instrument panel lit completely up then went away, gauges reset, and ran fine with properly operating instrument panel... at least until I got home. Then wacko stuff again. Reset PCM by disconnecting battery cable, now things seem fine... for now. I'm told to redo bad ground on ecbm before suspecting bad ABS module and to replace ignition switch before suspecting bad instrument cluster and PCM. However, dealer analysis said ABS module got moisture in it and the instrument panel needs to be replace. First is a $1000 ABS module, second is a $400 panel, both have labor charges additional.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #105

Feb 012008

Trailblazer

  • 34,655 miles
Speedometer is inaccurate. When standing still, it could read 100mph. When 55mph, it may read 20mph. I've heard many Trailblazers have this problem. Makes it very difficult to drive the correct speed limit. Too in areas where it's dangerous or too slow also causes problems with people trying to pass. Help!

- Florence, OR, USA

problem #104

Jul 022009

Trailblazer

  • 38,297 miles
All the gauges except the speedometer of my 2004 Chevy trail Blazer went out.

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #103

Jun 012008

Trailblazer

  • 55,000 miles
My speedometer and tachometer do not work on my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. Occasionally my check engine light will stay on as well.

- Mchenry, IL, USA

problem #102

May 222008

Trailblazer

  • miles
Purchased my Trailblazer brand new in 2004 and started having problem with the instrument cluster in may of 2007 the speedometer has stopped working the battery and oil gauges are not reading and the RPM gauges works at random. I taken the truck back to the dealership and was told ir would be $400 to repair and it not covered under any warranty work. I'm also having a problem with the headlight working at random. They will work but cut off while I'm driving at night. I feel both issues need to have a mass recall on all 2002-2007 Trailblazers.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

problem #101

Feb 182007

Trailblazer

  • 15,000 miles
Since 2007 my instrument panel cluster of my 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer (which I purchased brand new in 2004 from dealership) goes on and off some days it works and some days it does not. I could be driving down the road and all of the lights on the dash and gauges go out. I am unsure at times how much gas is in my car and just have to estimate and fill the tank. I attempted to have the dealership help me out because I purchased an extended warranty but they were bought out by another dealer. I wrote to Chevrolet and they refused to help me out. I am unable to pay the $700 to $800 they have quoted me to pay to have it fixed. There are several other vehicles with this problem so it should be recalled by Chevrolet. I feel this is a safety issue because all of the lights go out sometimes at night so I have refrained from driving at night very much.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

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