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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 1 of 22)

problem #429

Sep 142015

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for fuel level sensor recall repairs. The consumer stated the exhaust manifold needed to be replaced. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the sensor recall and the manifold repairs,

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #428

Apr 142014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 212,000 miles
The fuel gauge malfunctions after filling tank - it reads empty immediately and intermittently thereafter at any fuel level. It makes it difficult for traveling any long distance as you are not quite sure how much fuel is available or if it will shut down on me during a difficult situation. We have contacted GM and they want to charge me to check it and this has been reported as a problem for multiple models to GM. This is very scary as I travel long distances to and from work each day - I feel that this puts me in harms way. I don't believe that I should pay to a defective part that GM knows about but doesn't acknowledge.

- Dolan Springs , AZ, USA

problem #427

Feb 042014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
Approximately 5 or 6 months ago I started noticing when I would fill my tank, the fuel gauge would not register full. I took my car to the dealership and they told me it was the fuel sensor that wasn't working. They told me it would be $600 for a new one. I couldn't afford that, so now I use my mileage indicator as to when I fill up.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #426

May 012009

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My trail Blazer check engine light stays on we cannot reset it. The full gauge says it has more gas then what it does, I have to guess to avoid running our of gas. Speedometer stops working then it fixes its self. The radio and lights sometimes stay on, and kills my battery.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #425

Jan 012012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Fuel gauge stopped working.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

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problem #424

Jul 092012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 25 mph, the brakes failed. The failure occurred intermittently for three years. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000. The window regulator, battery cable, tank level sensor, clutch fan, serpentine belt, tight outer tie rod, hood latch, water pump, were all replaced. Also, the rotors were warped, due to rust by climate, the rear brakes pads were worn and had to be replaced. The front rotors were machined. There was an intermittent surge after accelerating from a stop. There was a squealing noise coming from the brakes. The passenger side brake lights were blowing out. The tail light circuit board was replaced. The check engine light illuminated, due to a faulty emission vent valve and hose assembly. The ABS was engaging, when coming to a stop. Updated 10/01/14

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #423

May 012012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles

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

The vehicle presented with error on reading the speed one is traveling at. Fuel gauge not working properly and not reading gas correctly.

- Elgin , IL, USA

problem #422

Jul 102006

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
My car has shut down while idling at a stop sign or red light. The first time was in 2006, but has happened several times since then. I've taken it to the dealership, but they said that they couldn't see anything wrong with my vehicle. I believe that my fuel gauge is inaccurate. It showed empty, and, then 1/4 tank. The rear wiper sweeps without being turned on.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #421

Jan 032013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
While driving to work I felt my truck lose power a few times while slowing to stop as well as taking off after a complete stop. My fuel tank was approximately half full and it kept feeling like I was running out of gas. This really scared me because I was in the middle of heavy traffic and trying to accelerate it finally kicked in and I almost ran into the person in front of me. Please let me know what I can do about this? thank you very much.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #420

Jan 082014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
After filling up with gas and restarting the engine I heard a "ding" followed by gas empty light indicator. The SUV will now not move off of "E" and the empty light indicator will not go off either.

- Fountain Inn, SC, USA

problem #419

Jun 172014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles

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

Immediately after filling the gas tank the gas gauge went from showing a full tank to showing empty and the gas light came on. After a few miles the gas gauge was showing a half tank.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #418

Oct 232013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
My 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer shows empty when vehicle is filled up, this lasts until close to a quarter tank has been used; frequency: 100% of the time. Contacted prior owner and he confirmed it had been doing it off and on since 2 year of ownership but dealer could not duplicate. Took to Chevrolet dealership for diagnostic and was told its the fuel sending unit, a common problem in my year in particular. Vehicle also is beginning to have issues with showing correct fuel left when it drops below a quarter tank, it does not drop consistently which would lead to my running out of gas if I trusted it, to date I fill before it gets to a quarter tank to avoid the problem.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #417

Jan 012007

Trailblazer

  • 2,500 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the fuel gauge read full and it was completely empty. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times. However, the dealer advised there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 2,500 and the current mileage 41,363.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #416

May 222014

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the fuel level sensor could potentially fail prematurely. The manufacturer was made aware of the concern. The failure and current mileage was 48,000. Updated 08/14/14 updated 8/29/2017

- Amherst, VA, USA

problem #415

Dec 102013

Trailblazer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
My fuel gauge reads empty after I fill the tank with fuel. After driving some duration of time the tank will only read a quarter of a tank full. I find this to be a hazard because I travel for long distance trips and you are unable to get an accurate reading of the amount of fuel that is in your tank. I have read this to be an issue on multiple different websites with the same make and model and I believe that GMC should offer to pay full price and fix the issue because it appears to be a defect.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #414

Mar 232011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 111,416 miles
Problems with my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer started with a series of engine lights, misfiring and stalling at low speeds and upon acceleration. My thermostat has been replaced numerous amount of times. I do preventative maintenance to keep my car in good working condition. I'm a single parent I need my car. My entire dashboard stopped working after getting stuck on and off. The fuel gauge was last to go 3 days ago. I fill up my tank it still reads empty with the light. My tailgate door the latch locks up. I manually have to move to latch so it closes. My doors sticking when the car is unlocked and it hard to get out the locks don't unlatch the first time. My car is very nice until U get in it to see everything is malfunctioning. I guess my speed, gas level and that's not cool. I been going through these same problems since 2011 and it's 2014. The fuel gauge was the last to go recently. When I fill up my tank it still reads empty with the indicator light. My repair was $565 we thought it was exhaust leak and had to replace the entire manifold it was cracked... I absolutely can't afford anything else and I need tires.please help I'm furious.. when you purchase a vehicle you expect it to last. That doesn't. my mechanics have been the same since day one and have given me every discount and warranty. I want my vehicle repaired I can't physically cause this type of damage. It's internal and not my fault. I have never had a car with this temperament. I have had 4 cars previous to this one and they lasted through the years until I decided to change cars. Everyone has the same problems with their vehicle as I do. How is that possible? manufacturers should value quality not quantity. I have every single document to verify this as well as my mechanics. I would like my vehicle repaired and to be reimbursed.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #413

Jan 012006

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Multiple gauges on the instrument panel stopped working. They include: Fuel gauge, speedometer, voltmeter, and tachometer. The first to go out was the fuel gauge. Then speedometer, followed by the voltmeter and the tachometer about the same time. Chevy has fixed the fuel gauge issue by recall. But has not addressed the other gauges on the instrument panel.

- Northridge, CA, USA

problem #412

Feb 112011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
I have any issues with my fuel gauge and dash reading for years now. I thought it was an issue with just my truck but in reading other complaints it seems as there is an issue. I bought my truck new and currently have 178,000 miles on it. I was told bythe dealer that the gas gauge issue would not be covered as it's 10 years or 120,000 which every came first. My dash board has not been working for some time first it was the speedometer and then the oil and other's components soon followed.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #411

Feb 082014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 170,784 miles
I just purchased this vehicle yesterday from a dealership. They filled the gas tank up before I drove it off the lot because, they said, "the gas gauge isn't working." I was looking up what it could be and noticed there was a lot of people with complaints of this, 668 people. I suppose I'm the 669th person. There wasn't a recall that I could find, but investigations were being done?

- Sumner, IL, USA

problem #410

Jan 282014

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Vehicle's headlamps will power surge, dim while driving periodically. Fuel sensor showed constant empty until repaired by the recall. Vehicle will occasionally surge forward revving on it's own at random times. The blower resistor pack has burnt up twice, the blower motor has been replaced as well as the melted wires.now the vehicle will not start. The power windows, locks, radio, dome lights, dash lights are inoperative and the vehicle will not attempt to turn over. Seems like this vehicle has had a lot of electrical issues.

- Dayton, IA, USA

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