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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:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,143 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 18 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #89

May 042010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

I have a '05 Chevrolet Trailblazer and about a week ago my gas gauge start to go crazy. I fill it up with gas and the needle went to empty. It start moving up and it went back to empty and stay there. I don't know how much gas I have now and went it is empty or not. Please look in to this. I know I'm not the only one with this problem.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #88

Apr 302010

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles
Gas gauge shows empty even though there is fuel in the tank. Light stays on even after putting gas in the tank!

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #87

May 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 77,048 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer with a fuel problem. I think it's the fuel sending unit. The fuel gauge reads empty at all times even after afull fill up. When I googled this question the results I got were astounding at how many other people were having this same problem. I feel that if it were a once in awhile thing that happens no big deal but this seems to be a known problem with this vehicle. I have spoken to 3 different auto mechanics and even they say it crazy that's there's no recall on it as it a manufacturing problem.

- Naugatuck, CT, USA

problem #86

Mar 162010

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

I've had my 2005 Trailblazer for 5 yrs now and the last 4 months the fuel gauge has been acting up. I fill it up and the gauge still reads empty. It takes a few days to finally get the reading right but after a day or so it goes back to empty. Being in the military and having the vehicle as the primary for my wife and kids time is limited for her to take it while I am away overseas. My wife was and kids were stranded on the highway while roadside assistance came to finally came around with fuel. Reading numerous complaints about the same problem with other Chevy owners there should be a recall on the vehicle. This will be my last time purchasing a Chevy. Keeping track of mileage is ridiculous, in today's economy purchasing a good product is priority one and it is a shame that a giant car company can admit that they have a problem on there hands. Safety should be priority one!!!!!

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #85

Apr 172010

Trailblazer

  • 58,000 miles
2005 Chevy Trailblazer fuel gauge is defective. I fill up my tank and it still says empty.

- Caledonia, IL, USA

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problem #84

Apr 192010

(reported on)

Trailblazer

  • miles
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The fuel gauge stopped working without warning. The consumer stated it didn't matter how much fuel was in the gas tank, the gauge read empty and the amber warning light and alarm intermittently engaged, even when the fuel tank was full. There was no way to accurately confirm how much fuel was in the vehicle at any given time. While enroute to the dealer, the consumer ran out of gas. The consumer finally made it to the dealer and upon inspection, the consumer was informed the fuel sensor was defective and needed to be replaced which required the gas tank to be removed from the vehicle.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #83

Dec 122009

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles

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

2005 Chevy Trailblazer fuel level sensor malfunction causing gas gauge light to stay on all of the time. Wife ran out of fuel on highway. Very dangerous!!!

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #82

Sep 012008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
1.) no events took place dashboard cluster just failed. 2.) speedometer, oil gage, RPM, gas gauge everything went haywire, impossible to tell speed... 3.) my understanding is the dash board cluster is bad, its 450-600 dollars to repair, there has been alot of complaints but no recall yet? this should be a recall, this issue is well documented and known about... this is a safety issue, the speedometer should work, the instruments should work.

- New Vienna , OH, USA

problem #81

Mar 142010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
Fuel level sensor sticks at empty or just around 1/4 of a tank then falls back to empty and light comes on. Have researched and this seems to be a highly prevalent issue on '05 Trailblazers at around 50K miles.

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #80

Jan 302009

Trailblazer

  • 90,000 miles
Speedometer no longer registers correct speed. Gauge reads 110 mph while vehicle is sitting motionless in drive way. While driving speedometer swings wildly. While traveling using gps unit to give speed vehicle speedometer was consistently off by more than 50 mph.

- Brownstown, PA, USA

problem #79

Nov 162009

Trailblazer

  • 52,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph and noticed that the fuel gauge displayed a reading of empty, after gasoline was added to the fuel tanks capacity, the fuel gauge consistently indicated that it was empty. The contact stated that whenever the vehicles computerized system was reset there would be an accurate reading. Currently, the fuel gauge does not provide an accurate reading after being reset. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 52,000. The current mileage was 58,000.

- North Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #78

Feb 262010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 101,270 miles
My 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer's fuel tank level sensor is not working properly it started after I filled the vehicle up with gas on February 26th I am going to replace the part but just not had time to get to it just yet.

- Blackburn, MO, USA

problem #77

Jul 042008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
My 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer ext. Fuel sensor quit working at 32,000 miles. I have called and it is around $600 to fix. I do believe that this is a safety hazard because the fuel gauge sometimes reads all the way full or all the way empty or sometimes 1/4 tank and this could lead to me running out of gas at worst times. If I ran out of gas on the interstate or highway it could cause a major accident and result in a fatality or injuries. I did not know I could report such problems that's why I am doing it now instead of when it actually happened.

- Rossville, IN, USA

problem #76

Jun 152009

Trailblazer

  • 35,000 miles
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV fuel level sensor failed causing erratic fuel gauge operation. Gas light comes on when filled up.looked on internet and hundreds of people have the same problems.how many people will died from this safety failure?

- Springtown, PA, USA

problem #75

Jul 152009

Trailblazer

  • miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. My fuel gauge no longer works. The only way I can track how much gas I have is by keeping up with my mileage. When I took it to my local dealer I was told that this was a very common problem in Trailblazers and that it would cost $500-$600 to repair. When I did a quick search online I found hundreds and hundreds of other Trailblazer owners with the same complaint! I believe this is a safety issue and want to know why this wasn't a recall! I got no assistance from the General Motors and was only told to "go through my dealer."

- Winterville, NC, USA

problem #74

Mar 182010

Trailblazer

  • 78,000 miles
On 3-18-2010 we purchased a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer from a dealership. Upon driving it home, we noticed the gas gauge was almost to empty. Within a few miles the gas light came on. We stopped and got gas but the tank was not empty. The gas gauge continues to "bounce" around from full to empty many times during regular driving. This obviously needs to be a recall and stop letting consumers pay $600-$1000 to fix a problem with the part.

- Longview, WA, USA

problem #73

Jan 152010

Trailblazer

  • 37,555 miles
2005 trailer Blazer fuel level sensor causing erratic fuel gauge operation

- Springtown , PA, USA

problem #72

Mar 012009

Trailblazer

  • 65,000 miles
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel tank level sensor quit working. Gas gauge light always on and showing empty and always beeping. Never know how much fuel I have. Does the same thing when tank is full. I spend alot of money in fuel because it's aggravating to keep track of mileage constantly. Afraid I could get stranded or be hit if I run out while driving.

- South Bloomfield, OH, USA

problem #71

Mar 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer that's warranty just expired. In the last several days after getting gas the gas sensor light and sound alert stays on even after I completely fill the tank. In researching the problem online I have found out that this is a widespread problem with this vehicle, and that it is very costly to repair. This vehicle is marketed and used as a family car, which is what my wife and I use it for. It is very risky to try to guess how much fuel you are using, not to mention the cost of fuel today. I have heard of several incidents of people running out of gas in risky situations like on the interstate. As a consumer I wish you would investigate this situation, and if it is as widespread as I am hearing, encourage the manufacturer to issue a recall for safety purposes.

- Oakland, TN, USA

problem #70

Mar 052010

(reported on)

Trailblazer

  • miles
2005 trail Blazer pedal seemed to stick the consumer stated the vehicle accelerated on its own. The fuel gauge sensor worked intermittently and there were times when the consumer didn't know how much gas was in the vehicle. The consumer was informed the fuel gauge sensor failed.

- Unknown, DC, USA

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