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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 5 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #349

Feb 012011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles

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

My fuel sending unit started reading empty when it was full. The needle would go up and down. Never knew if it was right. I actually ran out of gas in my driveway because it said I had a 1/4 tank, when in fact I was on empty!

- Woodridge, IL, USA

problem #348

Nov 292011

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 71,050 miles
The speedometer in my vehicle suddenly shows over 120 mph no matter what speed I am traveling. I have found this to be a common complaint. The fuel gauge is also very inaccurate never showing more than 1/4 tank of fuel regardless of how much I put in.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #347

Aug 022010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Fuel gauge started to give a false reading, then eventually stopped working entirely. The vehicle only had about 50,000+ miles on it at the time. We eventually paid $360 to get the fuel sensor/gauge replaced. I have read numerous complaints about this issue on the Trailblazer. On at least two occasions, we were put into a worrisome situation due to this fuel gauge issue. This is not an issue that should be happening on a vehicle with this kind of mileage when the problem was first encountered.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #346

Sep 152010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles

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

Gas guage stop working. I recently received a letter from GMC aknowledging a sensor problem with their 2005 GMC cars but only willing to reimburse 50% of what apparently is their fault. This is a problem that need to be fix 100% by GMC. Stand behind your products!

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #345

Nov 262011

Trailblazer

  • 100,250 miles
Gas gauge went to empty while traveling down a steeper hill. Low fuel light came on as well, even though the gauge had been reading approx. 1/4 tank remaining. Stopped and filled the tank but gauge did not move from empty and fuel light stayed on even with a full tank of gas. No longer able to gauge fuel levels and have to track it using trip mileage.

- East Longmeadow, MA, USA

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problem #344

Aug 022011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
The Trailblazer I bought seem to be more of a headache the a sport vehicle. I wish I had look better at all the information the was out there. I will not purchase another one, or recommend this vehicle to anyone. Sorry I bought it.

- Wingdale, NY, USA

problem #343

Nov 012011

Trailblazer

  • 105,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge malfunctioned due to a faulty fuel sensor and the contact was not able to read the correct fuel levels in the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to cover fifty percent of the repair costs. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Health, OH, USA

problem #342

Nov 102011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
I was driving on the highway at 70mph when my engine suddenly cut. I lost power steering and brakes. Luckily, traffic was clear enough and an exit ramp was accessible; however, I had a very difficult time steering to the side and thought I was going to be unable to brake. I was stranded on the off ramp for hours by myself in 40 degree weather and no heat. My gas gauge has not worked for several months (see my first complaint 10408603). I have been guessing at amount of fuel by miles driven. I should have had at least 30 miles more of gas. Obviously, this is not a safe way to gauge fuel level. It will cost $600 to have the fuel system fixed. Because this is an obvious problem with Trailblazers, I feel the company should issue a recall.

- Holt, MI, USA

problem #341

Mar 052010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
The fuel gauge went out in my vehicle. My speedometer is doing the same thing and my oil gauge. How is that not a safety recall! called they said there was no recall. Received a notice that they would pay half of repair for the fuel gauge. After warranty was up.

- Willow Wood, OH, USA

problem #340

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 #339

Apr 192011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 75,863 miles

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

I was driving on the freeway when I noticed my speedometer suddenly went to 100 miles an hour. I knew this could not be the case as my gps showed I was traveling at 55mph. It then went to 120miles an hour and flip. Flopped back and forth. I went to the Chevrolet dealership and they informed me it was the electrical cluster and even though there were many complaints, Chevrolet would not pay for it. The cost to me would be over $500 I live on a small social security check, so could not afford to repair it. Next at 85,000 miles the fuel gauge went haywire and would not register any fuel although I would fill it completely. Also, the lights blink off and on when I am driving at night, so, I am afraid I will be stranded somewhere in the dark with my car quitting all together. This was my last car purchase before I retired and I am just sick that the Chevrolet company will not fix these defects...they fix the same cluster in their Chevrolet trucks....why not in the cars? by the way, I just got a letter last week saying they would "split the cost " to fix the fuel gauge...(my cost is $200 1/3 of my social security check!!

- Winterville, GA, USA

problem #338

Sep 262011

Trailblazer

  • 189,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel sending unit was broken and causing the fuel gauge to provide a constant empty reading. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer sent a letter to the contact advising that there was special coverage for vehicle with 120,000 miles or less for a free repair. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 189,000.

- Bricktown, NJ, USA

problem #337

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 #336

Apr 012010

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. The gas gauge quick working almost a year and half ago. Originally, I would fill up the tank and it would read only 1/2 tank. Over time, it read all different readings from full when empty to 1/3 tank when full. For the past six months or so, it has remained on empty with the gas light on and dings occasionally flashing low fuel - even though I just filled up. I have learned to go by mileage to prevent running out of gas but this is very much an inconvenience for something that is a manufacturer defect. I fear running out of gas or having an accident related to running out of gas so I keep my tank as full as possible and fill up frequently. I have not had repaired due financial restraints but have recently been reading about the numerous complaints of the same issue. I would like to report this official complaint to add to your investigation.

- Seneca, SC, USA

problem #335

Oct 032011

Trailblazer

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was inoperable and the speedometer was permanently stuck at 20 mph. In addition, the fuel warning light was constantly illuminated despite how much fuel was in the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected. The current mileage is 82,000 and the failure mileage was 80,000 updated 11/16/11

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #334

Jun 012010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I stopped for gas coming home from long trip. About five miles later my fuel gauge went to empty. It would work sporadically for a few months then nothing. I have noticed that instrument panel goes really dim once in a while for no reason also. I have received a letter from GM stating that they have a problem with the fuel level sensor and they are willing to pay for 50% of cost to fix. If they know their part is defective shouldn't they recall and take care of their faulty product.

- Endicott, NY, USA

problem #333

Oct 102008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
The speedometer, fuel gauge & oil pressure gauge do not work. I've look this problem up and there are thousands of complaints regarding these issues - why hasn't this been recalled!!!

- Lawndale, CA, USA

problem #332

Oct 072011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
We ran out of gas on the highway 20 miles from a gas station with kids in the car. The gas gauge in our 05 Chevy Trailblazer was wrong and indicated we had gas in the tank.

- Garden City, MI, USA

problem #331

Sep 092011

Trailblazer

  • miles
We are experiencing a defective gas gauge--it registers empty or it may move up a bit or go down some. We are unable to determine how much fuel we actually have. I go on a trip of 350 miles one way every month to visit my mother and it is a constant worry. I am so afraid I will run out of gas on the turnpike--we just never know. We did get a letter from GM saying they were aware of the problem-interestingly enough, though they will not pay to have this dangerous situation affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles fixed--only half, which we feel is unfair. This is a problem affecting a great number of people, simply by the fact they sent the letter--they need to make it right by paying for the whole remedy before someone is killed as a result of this faulty gas gauge. We would like to be a part of a class action suit against GM for the full payment.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #330

Dec 102009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The gas gauge quit working, for no apparent reason. First it would work once in a while then it quit all together. When I questioned the GM/Chevy dealer, they quoted me a huge price. Now that GM is offering to pay 1/2 the price has went down drastically. The engine light stays on, I think this vehicle has more issues than a person will ever know. I have had to replace both wheel hub bearings earlier than I expected. This entire thing has cost me more than it should ever. They (GM) say that the fuel sensor is a wear and tear, but how do they know that, we can't check it like we do tires, wipers, etc. This is the only way that GM is getting some customers happy, and yet still taking advantage of us. Ford finds a problem they fix it. With all the bail out money that has been given- our tax dollars they -GM should be paying for the whole problem.

- Worthville, KY, USA

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