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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 19 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #69

Jan 012009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

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

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Yesterday I filed a report #10316373 to amend a report I sent in to add my VIN number. I submitted the wrong VIN number. The number I sent in was on a 1998 Chevy Blazer. I am sending a new report with the proper VIN number. Sorry for the error I submitted.[xxx]

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #68

Jan 012009

Trailblazer

  • 75,000 miles
In regards to my complaint #1030331, DP10-001 regarding my complaint of my fuel sensor and gauge always reading empty and the fact that this has been going on for over a year on my 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, I didn"T have the VIN number at the time. I would like to provide it to you at this time in your form. Please add it to my previous complaint. This is a serious problem that seems to be prevalent in several years of the Trailblazers existence and could be a very dangerous situation especially if the computer decides to shut the truck down at an inopportune time. I read where Nissan is recalling one of their models because of the fuel gauge. Where is GM in this matter?

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #67

Feb 112009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
Fuel just stopped working, driving down the road and headlights start dimming gauges go all over the board. Put a new battery in, changed the alternator and it continues to do this. Check engine light keeps coming on for oxygen sensor had that replaced 1 year ago needs replaced again.

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #66

Oct 032009

Trailblazer

  • miles

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

I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer ls and I have two complaints regarding part defects that should be investigated. 1. the speedometer sticks. I can be driving along and all of a sudden my speedometer is not moving at all. This is extremely dangerous being that I have no clue how fast or slow I'm going. 2. the fuel light gauge/sensor just completed stop working. The gas needle does not move at all, I have no idea how much fuel is in the tank. This is also extremely dangerous!. I have many friends that own Chevy Trailblazers who have encountered these same issues and I feel that Chevy should fix the problem. I have also read many blogs online where Trailblazer owners are complaining of the same issues so this is clearly a problem for thousands of Trailblazer owners. I hope that this complaint will help jump start an investigation of these defects, because it is a major problem! I have contacted my local Chevy dealer and they stated that it will be $1,200 to fix this issue.. this is outrages being that the problem is something that was caused by Chevy.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #65

Aug 012009

Trailblazer

  • 55,000 miles
2005-2006 Chevy Trailblazer experiencing problem w/ the fuel sensor. When the gas tank is filled the car is telling me there is no fuel in the tank, and the gauge reads empty.

- Columbia Station, OH, USA

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problem #64

Sep 172009

Trailblazer

  • 57,000 miles
My fuel gauge is not working on my 2005 Trailblazer and the blower resistor went on my truck as well. It went from no heat blowing on level 5 to the entire thing not working.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #63

Feb 282010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 81,500 miles

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

Filled tank with gas & the fuel light came on and reads empty. This has happened twice, first time in November 2009. I stalled at an intersection. The 2nd time was Feb 28, 2010. The needle fluctuates and low fuel light flickers on/off. I don't have the money to have this problem fixed.

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #62

Jan 152010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
Fuel gauge started functioning erratically - would go from empty to full or just start going between full and empty floating around. Eventually it just stayed on empty even when I had just filled up. From the time the problem started till it stopped working was only a matter of weeks. Now my oil gauge stopped working also.

- Irwin, PA, USA

problem #61

Feb 102010

Trailblazer

  • 55,000 miles
Stopped at the gas station to fill up upon leaving the gas gauge was showing empty with the warning light coming on. After about 30 minutes of driving the level finally went up to full.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #60

Nov 152009

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
I filled up my Chevy with a full tank of gas when it had about 1/4 of a tank left. I got in the car and it still said I had 1/4 of a tank. I pulled over after driving about 5 minutes and shut off the car, turned it back on, and now it was showing empty. Sometimes out of nowhere it will show me at about just above empty, even if I have just filled up, but it has only done this a few times. It stays on empty with the fuel light on and I never know how much gas I have. I keep track on my trip-O-meter to make sure I have enough gas but have ran out of gas even though I keep track.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #59

Jun 012009

Trailblazer

  • 55,000 miles

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

Fuel gauge failure. Gauge did not indict fuel level on many occasions, finally failing completely during summer 2009. Can cause real problems if unaware gauge is not working properly and vehicle were to run out of fuel in high traffic situation such as on the freeway. Have contacted manufacturer to no avail.

- Port Sanilac, MI, USA

problem #58

Jan 102010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 480,000 miles
Driving down busy roadway, fuel gauge has not worked in about 7 months been using odometer to estimate gas usage. My 2005 Trailblazer ran out of gas, almost rearended. There was no shoulder to pull off roadway in a dangerous curve. Nearly run over by passing vehicle in an attempt to slow traffic down so my vehicle would not cause accident. Close call. Imagine a woman with kids in this situation. There are hundreds of this fuel sensor problem on the topix forums website. Please help before someone is killed with this problem.

- Ferndale, NY, USA

problem #57

Mar 151999

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles
After filling my gas tank, the gas gauge needle dropped past "E". it recovered somewhat and a few days later, back to "E". the needle only sometimes moves past "E", even when full, and never goes more that the 1/4 mark. I've unknowingly run out of gas twice. First occasion I was on a dark roadside but had someone nearby to help. The most recent occasion I was on a highway, stalled partially in traffic. It was 5 degrees outside and the closest roadside assistance provider was over an hour away.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #56

Feb 012010

Trailblazer

  • 83,000 miles
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel gauge stopped working. Filled car with gas gauge reads empty. No way to know now when I am out of gas. Car also has a distinct gas smell.

- Bedford, TX, USA

problem #55

Oct 132009

Trailblazer

  • 75,000 miles
I have a 2005 chevorlet Trailblazer. I have had both speedometer and gas gauge quit working on me. Have been told it will be around $500 each to be fixed! I feel that this is a safety hazard and should be a recall by GM. 2005 models have the worse overall rating with these 2 malfunctions be the top 2 complaints!

- Calhoun, GA, USA

problem #54

Dec 152009

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles
Fuel sensor went out. Well known problem with the Trailblazer/Envoy. Gas gauge showed empty after filling with 18 gallons of fuel. Repair cost over $500.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #53

Dec 292009

Trailblazer

  • 33,000 miles
The gas gauge on my 2005 Trailblazer points to empty even with a full tank of gas. There is no warning indicator that the gas gauge is not working.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #52

Jul 152009

Trailblazer

  • 73,650 miles
Everytime I fill my gas tank, the fuel gauge light and sensor show that my tank is empty. I have read over 250 posts at www.topix.com/forum/autos/Chevrolet-Trailblazer/th8ji6tepo3vrji3D stating the same problem. After going to my mechanic, I'm told this will need a new fuel pump / kit......which will range from $800-$1000 installed.

- Morro Bay, CA, USA

problem #51

May 012008

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles
The gas gauge starts out erratic then will completely stop working and you never know how much gas is in your tank when you just filled it full. Vehicle will die for no reason in traffic and at times the headlights dim and volt meter drops randomly while driving. When you look at www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2005/Chevrolet/Trailblazer you see that this a common problem with the 2005. It needs to be addressed before there are deaths.

- Frederick, CO, USA

problem #50

Nov 102006

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I noticed a majority of the complaints about the 2005 Trailblazer's fuel tank level sensor. I have contacted GMC several times concerning the defective item. I have sent the V.P of Chevrolet as well as CEO / president of GMC expressing my concerns and how this is a safety issue, although GMC think otherwise. It's just a matter of time before an individual or an entire family is seriously injured or killed because of the faulty sensor. The consumer stated the fuel gauge gave inaccurate readings. One minute the tank was full and would read full, then it would read 1/2 tank; empty or 1/4 tank. And eventually the gauge read empty although that tank was full. Updated 05/04/10.

- Old Hickory , TN, USA

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