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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer is known for many things, but perhaps it is most famous for its faulty fuel gauge.

This gauge flip-flops more than a politician during election season. Some report that the gauge says "empty" after a fill-up, while others report the gauge says "full" when they're running on fumes. Either way, there's one thing everyone seems to agree on: the darn thing is just wrong.

Following hundreds of complaints and a few accidents allegedly caused by the malfunction, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the issue in May 2011. Unfortunately for frustrated owners, no recall has been announced.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
138,099 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.

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #15

Aug 212021

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

Rear frame rail rust through at control arm mount locations on both driver and passenger side. In addition frame from suspension mount forward approx 2feet rust through. Vehicle was kept washed and has no other rust issues except for frame. I-??ve learned that this was an issue from 2003 to 2008 model years. This issue has been checked and verified thru a reputable garage

- Lacey Spring, VA, USA

problem #14

Feb 012022

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 208,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH with a fully loaded pull behind 6X12 U-Haul trailer hitched to the vehicle on the highway, a tractor trailer drove by at 70 MPH, and the wake turbulence from the tractor trailer caused the U-Haul trailer to fishtail, the vehicle and trailer did a 180-degree skid, spun around, and then jackknifed; causing damages to the U-Haul trailer and the vehicle. There were no injuries sustained. The contact was concerned about the safety of the design of the U-Haul trailer. The contact stated that the U-Hauler trailer was not designed with the proper wheel and axle configuration which caused the trailer to be unsafe while driving over bumps or depressions on the roadway. The contact stated that he was advised by the South Carolina State Patrol to file a Collision Report. The contact had not yet contacted U-Haul to report the failure. The vehicle was still drivable and was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 208,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #13

Dec 012017

Trailblazer

  • miles
My speedometer stopped working my gas gaige stopped working and my odometer went out cant see the milelage and I dont know how much gas is in the take, and the speed is mot working.I remember a recall awhile ago if you had the problem they said and I didnt at that time I think it was 2011

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #12

Nov 162016

Trailblazer

  • 70,500 miles

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

Frame has rusted though, just discovered during replacement of rack and pinion by garage.

- Kingsville, MD, USA

problem #11

Jan 202015

Trailblazer

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. During cold weather temperatures, the vehicle was parked and being warmed up. The contact discovered that the driver side exterior mirror and door caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The contact felt that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 13V248000 (electrical system, visibility). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Beaver Dam , WI, USA

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problem #10

Oct 012007

Trailblazer

  • 83,875 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The dealer replaced the ignition switch and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the exhaust manifold crack, the water pump, the evaporator cord, the headlight wiring harness (which melted and caused the light bulb to fail), the hub assembly, the instrument panel cluster, the motor blower resistor wires, and the door locks. The contact also stated that the rear windows would not open or close and the rear hatch lock system and instrument panel cluster failures persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 83,875.

- Reed City , MI, USA

problem #9

Sep 042013

Trailblazer

  • 126,000 miles

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

Please consider a new requirement for all new vehicles produced that are equipped with a rear liftgate/tailgate, such as crossovers, SUV's and mini-vans. There is no way to open the gate from the inside. There needs to be a latch to open all gates from inside the vehicle in case it becomes the only way out in case of fire or if sinking in water.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

problem #8

Jan 032011

Trailblazer

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the power steering assist failed. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The contact also stated that the lift gate revel molding was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering, power transmission and the rear deck molding needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 166,324. The VIN was not available.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012011

Trailblazer

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the high stop light above the lift gate fractured due to ice in the winter. The part separated from the vehicle and someone ran over the piece. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. After diagnosis, they advised him that the high stop light needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. The current mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lowell, MI, USA

problem #6

Feb 072013

Trailblazer

  • 146,000 miles
Crashed straight into the back end of a vehicle doing 60 while I was doing atleast 80, or 85, maybe more, I don't remember. The first thing I remember seeing is realizing I'm alright despite the blood in the cockpit and on my face despite sneezing which was spreading blood. Is this a vehicle defect or what? my math says that crashing at 85mph into a vehicle doing 60 is like crashing into a brick wall at 25mph. I've had a local mechanic check it out and he says according to his obd-II computer everything is working fine (or was atleast) :) anyways, please feel free to contact me again with any more question you may have. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Stafford, CT, USA

problem #5

May 162012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles

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

My mechanic is telling me the left upper and lower ball joints need replaced.....what else can go wrong this car!

- Mount Vernon, MO, USA

problem #4

Jun 092010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 700,000 miles
I bought my 2005 Trailblazer new in 2006. The rear driver side door quit working and I had to use a bungee cord to keep it shut until I got it in to a mechanic to look at. I was told that somehow water got inside the door and damaged the components mechanic was able to get the door to shut but warned me if it was opened again it may not shut so it has been duct-taped up so my children won't inadvertently use it. I noticed rust on the top of the vehicle in front of the moon roof very early on. The rear passenger door has to be opened gently from the back portion of the handle as it appears it is going to break off in the near future. The rear hatch and also the glass portion of the hatch back has now stopped working. It was brought in for an oil change and I asked the mechanic to check it out he was able to get it unlocked a couple times by pressing the auto unlock on the key repeatedly (more than 3 times he said) I have not been as fortunate and have not been able to use the rear quarters now because of this.

- Winter , WI, USA

problem #3

Sep 162010

Trailblazer

  • 77,103 miles
I bought my 2005 Trailblazer in August 2008. In October 2008, the rear window hinge adhesive was separating causing the hatch to not close properly. This was replaced by the dealership. Now in September 2010 the same thing is happening. The rear window adhesive has completely disconnected from the hinge and the window does not close properly and has a possibility of completely falling off. When the entire rear door is opened now the hinge 'pops' up and hits the glass. The dealership is trying to find an appropriate adhesive to mend this problem and they say Chevy will not pay for another glass replacement. The first replacement came from the factory with the hinge connected to the glass. This seems like a factory defect. I know there are other Chevy vehicles of different years that have experienced this problem and worse when the doors did fall off or the glass scattered due to the poor adhesive on the hinge. This will cost over $800 to replace if this cannot be resolved and there is no guarantee the adhesive on the new glass will hold and I will have no recourse.

- Indian Harbour Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 102009

Trailblazer

  • 58,000 miles
No real events, the hinge became unglued from the rear window, causing the window to become unhooked from the body of the Trailblazer. Because this then raises the window above the roof of the vehicle the wind can catch it and pull it completely off the vehicle when traveling at high speeds.

- Clive, IA, USA

problem #1

May 012006

Trailblazer

  • 10,000 miles
Headlights dim intermittently, heat looses power at the same time, now getting flickering of interior lights. Wasn't able to fix it. Bumper warping. Getting 10 miles to the gallon! paint on buttons wearing on radio. Sun roof leaked profusely, had it fixed. Rear window defogger doesn't work. Head liner sagged.

- New London, CT, USA

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