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:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
151,892 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 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer shows that the fuel level reads empty after refueling to capacity. The fuel sensor light was also illuminated. Once on the interstate for appx 50 miles the level resumes. No telling how much fuel is in tank after filling. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic, who stated that the fuel sensor needs to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
I had just filled up my SUV, and while on the highway, my fuel gauge started dropping within a minutes time, to 3/4 tank, 1/2 tank, 1/4 tank, then the fuel light came on and stated I was on empty. I didn't smell gasoline, but the gauge then started going back up, then down and went haywire. After some of the gas was used, it went back up to almost full, but after a bit, it dropped back down to half tank again. Every subsequent time I fill up, the gauge does the same thing. Another incident that has been happening for the last few years is the head lights dim and get brighter. This doesn't happen all the time, but at least three times a week. I didn't think too much about it until I saw other complaints on this website about the same thing.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel tank displayed a fuel level reading of empty after refueling to capacity. The fuel sensor light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the fuel sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 76,000.
- Hilliard, OH, USA
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The oil pressure gauge stopped working. Second incident at a later date, the speedometer stopped working correctly, third incident at a different time, the fuel gauge reads incorrectly, fourth incident, the battery gauge is working sporadically. Most of the time the gauges do not function properly or not at all.
While waiting in line of a car wash my Chevy Trailblazer shut off and a strong smell of gas filled the vehicle while what appeared to be gas leaked from under the driver seat. After doing some reading on the issue I'm discovering this is happening regularly to Chevrolet vehicles and recalls are not being made. Had we been on the highway or a busy street where people constantly flick cigarettes out the window, this could have played out differently. I understand that it can be costly to have a recall but my whole family was in the SUV and from the sound of it so were other family's. I have had no major problems with my vehicle and very upset that this is a problem that could have been avoided and cost less if a recall had been issued. I will never buy another Chevrolet for not valuing their customers!
Refueled with gas and gauge did not go up. Ever since, gauge does not show proper level of gas in tank. Got a letter from GM but they want me to pay half to repair it which total cost is $266 my cost is $133 GM knows this is a problem and should offer a total recall instead of a rip-off of 50-50 to the customer.
In 2007 I paid off my vehicle and now became the proud owner of my truck. In 2009, I noticed some problems with my truck. First, the gas gauge would say "F" full, but really it was on "E" empty. Then the mileage gauge " I can be on the expressway going as fast as the other cars, but my car reads 20 mph. This is crazy!!!! I called at 800-number for GMC and was informed that there was no recalls or any others calls for the 2005 Trailblazer, which I knew was a huge lie!!!! I decided to go on line and google the make and model of my car. Wow? guesses what I seen" there were over 41,000 people who have the same problems that I had for their 2005 Trailblazer. Again, the problem with my truck has gotten worst. In 2010, I called again and was informed that their still wasn't any other calls or concerns with my truck and that I should take it to an authorize Chevy dealership. Well, I did... in 2011, I called again.. same script same story!!! I received a letter for a emission test for my car. Well, let me tell you when I took my vehicle up to the emission testing it failed!!!. I got an estimate cost of $ 1900, plus they found 3 additional codes.. well, I got a 2008 Chevy Impala. I went from paying no car note, to $381 a month note. The week of September 4th, 2011.. I receive a letter from Chevrolet addressing the issues with the 2005 Chevy Trailblazers, and offering 50% on repairs for the same problems that I have been calling on for 2 years. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The fuel gauge on my 2005 Trailblazer has started to register the fuel incorrectly. When the vehicle is filled the gauge drops to empty, and then will vary from there sometimes showing fuel, sometimes not. I am hearing this is a common issue with this vehicle.
I was refueling on gas, when I started that truck back up, my fuel indicator light came on stating that the truck was empty of fuel. Now mind you I just placed $44.50 into the gas tank which at the time the gas pump click to let me know the tank was full of fuel. It took about 2 days for the fuel indicator to show the correct amount of fuel in the truck. Now ever time I fill up the fuel indicator light states it is empty after turning the truck back on and off on the fourth time then the indicator light will shut off and fuel gauge will show that correct amount of gas.
Fuel gauge reads empty, with the low fuel light on, after filling the fuel tank. Sometimes, while driving or after starting the vehicle, the gauge needle moves up and reads non-empty and then back to empty triggering the low fuel light and the low fuel bell.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While parked, the contact noticed that the fuel gauge provided an erroneous fuel level reading of empty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised that the fuel gauge would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred with a fluctuation of the fuel level gauge. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the low fuel sensor and the fuel gauge failed.the contact stated that the low fuel sensor illuminated on the instrument panel while the vehicle had a full tank of gas and the fuel gauge was showing the incorrect fuel level. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was unavailable.
When my gas gauge stopped working, it showed I had fuel in my tank, turns out I did not. I ran out of gas while on an interstate in Maine..in the dead of winter, at night, on icy roads, traveling at approx 35 miles an hour. As all of you know, when you run out of fuel, the power steering & braking shut down and the vehicle can be very difficult to maneuver as well as very dangerous... especially on icy roads in Maine in January. I am a young lady and happened to be all alone when this occurred and not to mention I was about 15 miles away from the nearest gas station.. so needless to say I was not happy. I wasn't about to hike the interstate, by myself in freezing cold weather at night.. I do not have a death wish. Although I had to sit in my vehicle, where I had no heat, due to no fuel, and wait for over an hour for my dad to come rescue me. This is not right, and it is not the consumers fault, this needs to be addressed by GM, because as you've heard by me, and many others, it's a huge safety issue, and they need to fix this problem. Some of these complaints go back into 2007, it's now 2012.. what are you waiting for"? fatal accidents because of your stupidity" make it right GM. You have not heard the last of this...
The fuel sensor level is out. It is going to be quite expensive to fix....after searching the internet it appears several people are having the same issue. Why is there not a recall"?"
The fuel pump assembly went out. Car completely died. It's an $1,100 fix and I've been hearing that this is a known problem with the Trailblazer. No noted recall yet. Wanted to report the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Camas, WA, USA