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.
My 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 V6 is experiencing some instrument panel cluster problems. This is the second time as I had the instrument panel cluster entirely replaced once already. The fist time, the tachometer stopped working and the speedometer malfunctioned showing incorrect speeds at different times, including showing 80mph when sitting still in the driveway. Now the instrument panel has malfunctioned again. Now my battery gauge, fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, and temp gauge stopped working and and are at zero as if the car is off. Most of my warning lights are on also. The ABS, seatbelt, battery, and parking brake lights stay on. Also, the gear indicator light telling me if I am in P, R, N, D, etc no longer highlights the gear I am in and the cruise control light doesn't come on when I engage the cruise control. However, I would say once out of every 15-20 times I drive the car the instrument panel and gauges work flawlessly. Obviously this time it is not the motors of the gauges that are the problem, but something power and/or electrical. I'm worried about knowing how much gas I have left and, more importantly, what my speed is, whether the engine temp is ok, and whether the oil pressure is normal.
The speedometer on my 2004 Trailblazer operates very erratically. At times it does not work at all at times it registers way slow or way fast. This to me is a major safety issue. If driving on snowy roads you can not tell how fast your wheels are spinning and this could cause loss of control of the vehicle. Or another scenario, traveling on the interstate and the miles per hour is registering between 5 and 10 mph less that you are actually traveling. This could pose a rear end collision problem as those traveling behind you may not notice that your speed is slower. A properly functioning speedometer is a vital part of being able to drive the vehicle in a safe manner, not only for your safety but for those around you. In searching the internet this seems to be more of a "common" problem than what one might realize. General Motors should be held accountable for this problem, as a properly functioning speedometer is an important safety feature. The same as brakes failure, throttle sticking, fire hazard or any other myriad of items on a vehicle are related to the proper and safe operation beyond the operators control. Please look into this. Thank you
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact noticed that the instrument panel readings began to fluctuate erratically. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that all of the instrument panel gauges failed. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told there were no recalls for the failure and that entire instrument panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
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My 2004 Chevy Trailblazer instrument gauges started going haywire. Everything that I have read says the whole panel needs replaced. The oil, battery, temp and gas clusters stopped working then all of a sudden while driving down the road start working again. Then the speedometer and tach stopped and started and now nothing is coming on. I have no idea how much fuel that I have and all of the warning lights are all lit up. Waiting for the whole thing to blow. I currently have it at a GM dealer and they said that it will cost me 500 bucks to replace the panel. I told them to go ahead because I don't feel safe driving like that. I have to have this vehicle to work and I want GM to pay for this to be fixed. Major safety concern for me!
When I first purchased this vehicle I thought I had a great SUV. Little did I know that within the first month of owning it did I make a huge mistake. I am a single mother of 2 kids. I checked out the crash ratings and they were great!! I liked everything about my TB. Looking back, after the 4th problem within that first month. I should have ran away screaming from it, as I do now daily. The lights flicker when you drive at night. The headlights constantly go out. The check gauges light is constantly coming on. The oil pressure gauge drops for no apparent reason. The tach goes crazy. The "bell" for the lights (when you have the keys out and the lights are still on, or when you have the keys in and the drivers door open) works when it wants to. The battery gauge works when it feels like it. The gas gauge hasn't had a problem lately. I am wondering...doesn't all of that constitute as a safety problem"? I have had the lights looked at and am told there isn't anything that can be done..really?" I am going to have to have the gauges looked at now and from what I see it will cost about $600-$800. Where other Chevy vehicles have had this covered under a recall. There are many other problems I've had, the O2 sensor, temp gauge, other lighting issues that I have taken care of but this is getting to be a bit much. I see many others have had this problem. It can't be from normal wear on the vehicle. Please do something about this before someone's family really gets hurt, if they haven't already.
Bought vehicle used in 2005, had 56,000 miles on it at the time. At 76,000 miles the speedometer went out completely had to be replaced. Replaced the speedometer $500 cost. In 2007, the dashboard and all the gauges started going crazy, had it checked at a Chevy dealer they confirmed it was an electrical problem that was not covered under my warranty and was gonna cost way to much to fix. Later in 2009 the alarm system decided it wouldn't work anymore, or it would set itself. (got locked in the car for at least 20 minutes or more, wouldn't start either to reset the process), the remote key wouldn't work as well. Had it inspected again, full diagnostic done by the Chevy dealer & also by Firestone, every issue that the car has is related to the electrical system failing constantly. Headlights go off and on when they feel like it, hit them they come back on sometimes, tail lights have gone out, no need to replace bulbs that is not the issue. Full diagnostic cost money, I have called the better business bureau to see what I could do to make Chevy pay for this disfunctioning vehicle but, of course it is a bunch of red tape and political bull crap. I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone too much money will be lost and still no results. Currently my vehicle has over 100,000 miles on it and the gauges still go out every now and then, the headlights still go out and the alarm still sets itself when it feels like it. I pray over this vehicle everytime I get in it.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving 75 mph when the instrument panel gauges failed to provide accurate readings. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who confirmed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 179,000 and the current mileage was 179,500.
I have a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer; while driving on the highway; all gauges, lights, etc. Abruptly stopped working and continue to not work. I researched on line and found it could be what is called the "cluster board". I took my vehicle to a local Chevy dealer in daytona beach fl. They insisted it was the ignition switch. They replaced that mechanism for just under $300. The following week (this occurred in 2010); the exact same situation recurred; so I brought it back to the dealer and they then agreed it was the cluster board which would now cost me close to $700. In order to avoid being ripped off to the tune of almost $1K; I purchased a gps unit so I could at least monitor my speed. The speed/rpms never register correctly; however, so far the other gauges seems to be ok (except for the oil pressure, it goes out of whack frequently so I just bring it in quickly to make sure I have sufficient oil and that it's clear/clean). Most recently my headlights just go out without warning; I am able to use the high beams, but of course that puts me in jeopardy of getting a ticket. There are so many complaints on the 2004 Chevy Trailblazer - I do not understand why there has not been a recall on the cluster board and the electrical issues (lighting). I cannot afford to have all the repairs completed and would like to see Chevrolet take on some responsibility for the cost of these flaws in the manufacturing of this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the only lights that would function were the fog lights and high beams. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure and the current mileages were 91,000.
Dashboard gauges on our 2004 Trailblazer have been failing one by one. No gauges except the speedometer have been operable for many months. Now, on Friday 11/11/11, the speedometer stopped working! this is a serious problem. I believe it must be caused by the same issues as the identical well-publicized problems on other Trailblazers. In addition, some of the dashboard lights (seatbelt light, etc.) remain on almost all the time. Chevrolet should be responsible for immediate repairs at no cost to us, the owner. Thank you.
General Motors vehicle is showing an incorrect speed, the speedometer stops working, the tachometer needle sticks or stops working, the fuel gauge flutters or the entire instrument panel fails.
Instrument panel failure: Owner states that instrument/gauge panel began to fail at or about 39,000 miles when the temperature was below 38' F degrees, that same year during the summer months speed gauge began to malfunction followed by all other gauges(RPM, gas, temp) at 50,000 miles, regardless of weather conditions. Currently there is a total failure of all gauges.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that all of the gauges in the instrument panel were either inoperable or would read inaccurately. The manufacturer was not contacted. The dealer advised the contact that he would need to have the instrument cluster replaced, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet trail Blazer. The contact stated that the heating and air conditioning fan control would not work until it reached level four of the five settings. In addition, the speedometer was inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Since purchasing our Blazer, we have replaced both headlight bulbs numerous of times including the sockets for each side. My headlights have been known to work one day and not the next. Or we can simply tap it and it will go out/come on. In the last 3 months I have had the bulb on the driver side replaced twice! we have speculated that the wires are loose but when inspected, that does not seem to be the case. I have had my car at the shop (not Chevy they cost too much) and they have not found anything more than a burnt bulb. Within the last 2 months, I was driving on a road that was not well lit at about 10P when both headlights went out. After pulling over & deciding the only way to make it home was to drive with my flashers on, I continued my way home. Half way home they came back on but before I got home they went out again. How does that happen" again, I would say it's a loose wire, but what are the odds of that on both sides" now, tonight, while my 17 year old son was driving (11P) with 2 friends with him, both headlights went out; but came back on. My lights have been known to flicker, like they are not getting enough power/too much. I have called a local dealer & am told they can run a test to see what they find. That would be great, if I had the cash flow for it; as it's not cheap just for them to "run" the test not fix it...that will cost extra. I am not sure how Chevy feels there is not an issue with the headlights? if you know exactly what my issue is please tell me so that I can have some one I can afford to pay, fix it. Buying bulbs is the least of my worries if that was the only issue. But for both headlights to go out at the same time, that's an issue! I would hope that you, Chevy, realize this is an ongoing issue & really has nothing to do with mileage. The headlights have been an issue since we bought the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While parked, the contact noticed that the gauges on the instrument panel would not function. The failure would recur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing but was unable to diagnose the failure because the gauges were functioning at the time of testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 29,279.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the instrument panel became inoperable and he was unable to determine how much gasoline was in the vehicle or how fast and slow it was traveling. The dealer advised the contact to replace the cluster panel at his own expense. The manufacturer was not notified nor was the vehicle repaired. The current mileage was 130,000. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Syracuse, NY, USA