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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 7 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #309

Mar 182010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Fuel gauge in 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4dr2wd started reading erratically including full on empty tank and finally permanently pegged on empty regardless of tank status. Fuel indicator light is permanently on and sounds an alarm at random. This has caused me to run on out fuel on at least 3 occasions, car has stalled on freeway once and is very discomforting to operate in remote areas or on freeways.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #308

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 #307

Aug 112011

Trailblazer

  • miles
When tank is full, fuel gauge reads as empty and low fuel light comes on. A little while later, the gauge will move up and then back down and light will come back on. Not sure how much gas is in tank based on the fuel gauge.

- Colbert, GA, USA

problem #306

Aug 102008

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 38,000 miles

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

The fuel gauge stopped working almost immediately after my 3 year warranty expired. I have read on the online forums that this is a very common problem. Also from talking to mechanics it appears that it is a very common problems with Trailblazers.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #305

Aug 152011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
Fuel gauge reports incorrect amount of fuel. Reads empty when full. Indicator light comes on saying empty when 1/2 a tank or fuel tank of gas.

- Orlando, FL, USA

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problem #304

Jan 012009

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated the fuel gauge never displayed an accurate reading. The fuel gauge fluctuated between displaying an inaccurate reading and empty. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the contact was informed that the fuel sensor was no longer functioning and the fuel sending unit was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #303

Jul 102010

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Fuel gauge inoperative. Needle swings from empty to full erratically. When tank is re-filled, gauge shows empty with warning light and chime on. I understand this is coming from inside the gas tank.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #302

Aug 152009

Trailblazer

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the contact stated that the fuel gauge provided a permanent reading of empty. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: DP10001 (fuel system, other:storage:fuel gauge system) that could have been related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic stated that the fuel sensor would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Chanhassen, MN, USA

problem #301

Jul 102011

Trailblazer

  • 55,000 miles
2005 Chevy Trailblazer fuel sensor worn out.

- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA

problem #300

Jul 012011

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles
My car's gas gauge reads that I have 0 gas when I do. I've filled it up so many times, its costing me too much money to keep filling it up. Cost to repair $1000!

- Mo, MO, USA

problem #299

Apr 132011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 56,820 miles

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

Gas gauge failure, irregular gauge readings that started about 6 months ago. I have been using the trip to watch my mileage and fill up about ever 250 miles so that I won't be without gas on the highway as I live in a rural community and the larger town is 25 miles away.

- Hurricane, UT, USA

problem #298

Apr 012010

Trailblazer

  • 45,000 miles
I own a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, the gas gauge no longer works after 45,000 miles. It is stuck on empty even after filling the tank. Once in awhile it moves up but never to show the correct amount of fuel in the tank.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #297

Feb 122007

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled because there was no fuel in the fuel tank. The contact also stated that prior to the failure, the fuel gauge displayed a reading indicating that fuel was present in the fuel tank. Roadside assistance appeared on the scene to refuel the vehicle and the contact was able to continue driving.the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on two separate occasions, where the fuel sending unit and fuel pump sensor were replaced. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 09/28/2011

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #296

Jun 032011

Trailblazer

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact sated that the fuel gauge failed and the gauge would read empty whether the fuel tank was full or empty. The contact reset the trip computer to be able to determine when the vehicle would run out of fuel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the fuel pump sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 76,000 and the current mileage was 81,000.

- Scottsdale , AZ, USA

problem #295

May 082011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Gas gauge quit working. Stepper motor replaced, suspected fuel sensor malfunction. Seems to be a very common defect in these vehicles.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #294

Aug 152011

Trailblazer

  • miles
I have a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer with a faulty fuel gauge. A year or two ago the fuel gauge started working intermittently. Sometimes it would show an accurate reading and other times it would not. Now the fuel gauge just shows empty 100% of the time, no matter how much fuel is in the tank. Due to this issue, I have ran out of fuel and stalled several times. As you can imagine, this is a major safety concern. When the vehicle stalls power steering and braking are lost and it can be difficult to maneuver a large vehicle like this without those systems. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they are stating that the problem is a bad fuel sending unit and the cost to repair is over $600. Researching the issue online I have found that this seems to be a widespread issue. This is unacceptable and a recall needs to be ordered.

- Germantown, WI, USA

problem #293

Dec 132009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. I purchased said vehicle at the end of July-beginning of August 2007. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of owning a Chevy due to not having any issues...well that was until December 2009. I began noticing that my gas gauge was malfunctioning. I would fill up the tank but it would read empty, and that problem has been ongoing since my discovery. I currently have to read my mileage to know when to put gas in my tank. Additionally, I have ran out of gas twice and both times putting myself in harms way and damaging my fuel pump (which is costly). Just two days ago I ran out of gas on a busy street, I didn't panic, but I was a bit nervous. I hit the hazards, and pulled up my emergency brake (because brakes and steering wield froze up). The vehicle behind me slammed on breaks just missing me by inches. This is no way to live and drive. I'm scared to go out of town or take back roads because I may give out of gas in an area where there is no cell phone tower or low to no signals. This has put me in a very bad space.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #292

May 132011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Gas gauge failure.

- New Virginia, IA, USA

problem #291

May 062011

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
Fuel sensor is damaged. Regardless if tank is full or 1/2 full. The fuel gauge always reads empty, with the light on. After a long period of driving, fuel gauge may go up to 1/4 tank but will go back to empty after car is turned off and restarted. Only way to be safe and aware of fuel level, is to fill up the vehicle with gas and restart the mileage.

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #290

Jun 172011

Trailblazer

  • 79,000 miles
Gas gauge reading empty after complete fill-up of fuel. Gas gauge does not register correct fuel level at all.

- Greensburg, IN, USA

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