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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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,216 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Oct 312013

Trailblazer

  • 110,000 miles

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

We were driving on interstate 94 in North Dakota and we heard a pop. By the time we pulled over there were flames up to the window on the drivers door. We quickly got out. Vehicle is a total loss. This should not happen. Date of accident was 10/31/2014.

- Waterloo, WI, USA

problem #29

Jul 092012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 25 mph, the brakes failed. The failure occurred intermittently for three years. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. The window regulator, battery cable, tank level sensor, clutch fan, serpentine belt, tight outer tie rod, hood latch, water pump, were all replaced. Also, the rotors were warped, due to rust by climate, the rear brakes pads were worn and had to be replaced. The front rotors were machined. There was an intermittent surge after accelerating from a stop. There was a squealing noise coming from the brakes. The passenger side brake lights were blowing out. The tail light circuit board was replaced. The check engine light illuminated, due to a faulty emission vent valve and hose assembly. The ABS was engaging, when coming to a stop. Updated 10/01/14

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #28

Jul 092012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Went for an oil change and my transmission dipstick handle was rusted off (kind of hard to remove it). I can't find anywhere that replaces them either....

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #27

May 172011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles

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

The blower/fan on the air conditioner/heater stopped working. It first began with #4 and #5 on the fan selector switch not working, but then it stopped altogether. After doing research this blower motor problem is very popular amongst these vehicles. Also, the fuel gauge on the dash hasn't worked in about 3 years. After doing some research, it appears that this is due to the fuel sensor in the fuel tank. Again, this is very common occurrence within the Trailblazer community. I was given an estimate of $774 for the blower motor to be fixed and $600 for the fuel gauge to be fixed.

- Soddy Daisy, TN, USA

problem #26

Dec 302005

Trailblazer

  • 300 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the engine stalled without any warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle restarted after several attempts. The failure occurred sporadically. In addition, the headlights unintendedly failed to illuminate when activated on twenty separate occasions. The vehicle had been taken to an authorized dealer eights times for the same failures. The alternator was replaced three times and the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 300. Sm.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #25

Apr 072010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
After waiting at a stop sign or stop light for a short period of time as you go to accelerate the rpms of the motor drop of by 100 to 200 then pick up. On some occasions the vehicle will stall leaving me in the middle of an intersection trying to start my car. I have spent almost $2000 diagnosing this problem with no solution in sight.

- Marion, IA, USA

problem #24

Sep 182010

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

My gas gauge always reads empty even when the car is full. Engine light always goes on and off between a matter of days. Recently my heat went out in my car we changed the resistor and found out one of the prongs were burnt out. A week later the heat went out again. Looked at the resistor and the same prong was burnt out!! I'm getting really fed up with this vehicle!

- Antioch, IL, USA

problem #23

Dec 142009

Trailblazer

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically and without warning. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Pemberton, NJ, USA

problem #22

Nov 072010

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving approximately 45-50 mph when the vehicle would suddenly jerk forward as if it were attempting to stall. In addition, the fuel gauge would not operate properly and would read empty after she would refill the tank. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Davis Station, SC, USA

problem #21

Aug 192011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
When filling up tank with gas, fuel gauge indicates empty and low fuel light appears. Blower fan switch works intermittently,

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

problem #20

Oct 032011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 66,000 miles

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

I have been hearing a clicking noise and my car had begun sounding like a jet engine taking off for the last 3 days - very noisy. I took it to pep boys where I was told that it is normal for the Trailblazer to begin making this noise shortly after 60K miles. I was told the serpentine belt needed to be replaced, tensioner pulley and the idler pulley. I had the new parts installed. None of my warning lights came on the dashboard so I assumed was well as there was no other indication that something was wrong. Driving my car within 24 hours of being fixed, the fan clutch seized and my water pump burst causing car to overheat in the middle of an intersection where my car then stalled putting me and my children at risk for injury. The car almost caught on fire it was smoking severely. Someone helped me move my car out of the busy intersection and I called my husband and a tow truck to come get the car. When I got home and looked up the problems again on the dealer website, I found hundreds of forums where the fan clutch has been mentioned and the water pump too. A fan clutch according to the mechanics I surveyed stated they should last at least 100K or more. This has been brought to GM and they ignore it. It is a safety issue. Additionally, my speedometer hasn't worked for at least a year and when I called Chevy they wanted to charge me $700 to replace it when it is not my issues. I didn't cause it. Not knowing what speed you are going is definitely a safety hazard and can cause accidents or tickets.I am attaching a forum (this is just one of hundreds I found online)www.edmunds.com/Chevrolet/Trailblazer/2004/consumer-discussions.html where people are having the same safety issues I am and GM has ignored them. My car could have caught on fire today and I had my 4 yr old daughter with me. Not a position I ever want to be in. Please issue a recall.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #19

Jun 292011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 64,755 miles
The exhaust manifold on my engine had cracked and the mounting bolts had broken causing an exhaust leak.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #18

May 202009

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles
I had just bought my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer lt. I bought it from a dealer used and they didn't tell me the gas gauge didn't work right. I have ran out of gas quite a few times.I try to remember to set my tripometer but sometimes I forget. Needless to say its a huge problem. I have driven Chevy all my life and so has my family, I am very disappointed GM has not taken care of this problem and had a recall. For what I paid and since I've always owned a Chevy they need to get off their corporate butts and fix it!! this is a danger to the people who drive them as well as passengers and other vehicles on the road. I was hoping GM would voluntarily recall these vehicles, but they won't so its up to the NHTSA to make GM responsible. Thank you

- Hubbardston, MI, USA

problem #17

Aug 082010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the catalytic converter warning light was illuminated and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer advised that the catalytic converter would need to be reset but not repaired. The dealer reset the catalytic converter however the reset was only a temporary repair. One year later, after refueling the vehicle, the fuel level sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 105,000.

- Pheonix, AZ, USA

problem #16

Oct 012009

Trailblazer

  • miles
I own a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer ls and the fuel gauge fluctuates and reads the tank is empty when in fact the tank is full of gas. Thus this causes a serious safety hazard due to the fact that this is my main means of transportation for my family and I have to guess at how much fuel my vehicle actually has at any given time. This could result in me either running out of fuel and stall randomly and being rear-ended by another unsuspecting driver.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #15

Sep 012009

Trailblazer

  • miles
I own a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer that is experiencing very sluggish acceleration, transmission is not shifting smoothly, and runs very loudly. I have researched this problem and found hundreds of complaints with other owners of this same year, make and model.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #14

Mar 102010

Trailblazer

  • 54,000 miles
Burning smell coming from the A/C. speed 4 and 5 both quit and now the whole thing has stopped working. This will be the third time is has been replaced and the dealer I take it to tell me this is a common problem on 2005 Chevy Trailblazers. Blower motor resistor is burnt out and the harness (which would cost about $200). They said that this was another common problem for this car model.

- Durant, OK, USA

problem #13

Jan 112010

Trailblazer

  • 52,182 miles
When we bought our 2005 Chevy Trailblazer we had to turn it around and take it back to the dealership. The check engine light came on. All they did was reset it. It came back on some time later, we took it back to dealership they got it worked in at the nearest Chevy shop, they reset the light and we were told to buy a gascap for it. We bought the gas cap, light stayed off until now. We have taken our 2005 Chevy Trailblazer to the local shop they hooked it up to the computer and found nothing wrong. So far nothing has been done, but since the light is on it is a gas guzzler with light on getting 6 miles to the gallon. With gas at 2.59 a gallon that's not cheap. Chevrolet dealer in town says its probably the throttle body needs cleaning, and it needs a new battery. They say the throttle body is a common problem in the new models, because the gas is not fit for the newer model vehicles.

- Pocahontas, AR, USA

problem #12

Jan 072010

Trailblazer

  • 104,700 miles
Car stalls when going around corners.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #11

Nov 162006

Trailblazer

  • 30,000 miles
I bought my 2005 Trailblazer the same year with 19+K miles. I started having it stall on me around 30K miles. I took it to hayward, ca Chevy dealership because it was still under warranty. They said that they found nothing. I took in again because the engine light came up and they said the problem was the light only but, that's the light that would flash when it stalls. I took the car back in several times for the same situation. At the time, I had 2 boys.....8yrs and 6yrs and this started too become unreliable because I was putting them at risk and not only that, I would stall and then take a few minutes to start again. I've been told that maybe it stalls because the engine was not warm but I know that it can't be it because a few times I was on long road trips and the engine would stall on and off. This has been an ongoing problem since 06 and it's a horrible risk because it's stalls while driving. My kids and I can get hit from behind. I don't know who else to repost this too. I bought another car 5/07 because this vehicle is not reliable but use it when I have to and up to this day, it still stalls.

- Union City, CA, USA

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