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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,676 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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving at any speed, the steering wheel jerked and pulled to the right. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the speedometer failed. In addition, the rear hatch lock failed causing the contact to be unable to unlock the rear hatch and the front rotors failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the power steering pump and the front rotors. The speedometer and rear hatch were not repaired. The contact also stated that there was a strong abnormal odor present inside the vehicle and the engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,584.
The engine light constantly comes on even after I had a tune up. I had diagnostics done and there is some type of fuel misfire. Two winters straight I have had issues with the power steering lines bursting and replaced 3 times. The speedometer malfunctions, most of the time it just stays at zero. If GM uses a lot of the same parts to make multiple models why has the 2005 Trailblazer not been recalled? I was told the GM Envoy has the same engine and other inner workings as my Trailblazer so why wouldn't their recalls apply to my vehicle especially if I may be having the same issues.
When the steering is turned too far the car automatically and very suddenly shuts off, no matter where we are. Seatbelts in the last row of the vehicle don't lock so, our car seats just slide due to never ending seat belt. Engine and oil light come on when car is started and will stay on for days as result of gas cap being not screwed on properly. Delayed turning reaction with steering wheel, horn got stuck and would not stop sounding so it had to be disabled.
- Vallejo, CA, USA
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Myself and my daughter was visiting my parents in Virginia and I turned the steering wheel to the right to go around a curve and the steering wheel didn't turn. I looked ay my daughter and said "oh _ _ _ _" and she ask me what 's wrong? I said the steering didn't turn and it wasn't but seconds later, we slammed into the side of the mountain on the driver side and we rolled two or three times and ended up on the roof. I immediately went unconscious because of the impact. I had a big gash on my head and was bleeding profusely and I was having trouble breathing because both of my lungs were punctured. All the windows burst out so my daughter was able to crawl out the passenger window to ask someone for help but my seat belt would not unbuckle so there was an issue getting me out. I was very lucky that someone that stopped had a pocket knife and cut the seatbelt to get me out. I had a bad concussion and I kept going in and out. I had three broken ribs, three pelvic fractures, a bad contusion on my elbow and I still have a swollen knot about two and a half inches on my left leg. I also have issues with my back and I am in constant pain and on impact, my seat belt jerked and caught my breast and I now have five cyst with the largest one being one inch and they are very painful. I have to watch it very closely because of a cancer risk called inflammation cancer. I was hospitalized for three days and I have to continue receiving medical care because of these injuries. My daughter is young and now she has back problems and ptsd and she also continues to receive medical care. This has really impacted and changed my life and my daughters life and I would really appreciate it if you would take the time to investigate these issues. We are going to have life long injuries and issues because of this accident. Thank you very much.
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
Faulty ignition switch needed replacement: No blower on defrost, air, heat. Brake lights and ABS lights came on. Only 32,262 miles. $240.34 to replace. Will I be reimbursed since this is a recall?
We were driving at about 55 (we don't know exact speed as our control panel is not working) and the steering went out. It was hard pulling to the right and a few times we could not control it and went off the road. We had another incident like that when we were driving in the snow. When we purchased the car we had a fuel issue that covered under a recall.... now our whole panel is out. We don't know the speed we are going, the oil light and engine light are always on. We take care of our car so we know its not low on anything.
Driving at a low speed through a residential area the engine would serge between 2K RPM and 4K RPM. If surging is allowed to persist then it is followed by the vehicle's power steering shut off ultimately ending in the engine shutting off. After vehicle is restarted the cycle starts again after a short period of driving.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the power steering assist failed. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The contact also stated that the lift gate revel molding was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering, power transmission and the rear deck molding needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 166,324. The VIN was not available.
My gas gauge has stayed on empty for a month or so with the gas light on. I have not had the money to fix it and I put gas in it the night before the incident happened. I was driving home from a family members house a few blocks away from my house and my 2005 Trailblazer died and everything locked up on me. The brakes would not work what so ever. And I just had brand new brakes put on a couple months ago and my steering wheel locked up. My vehicle would not stop. It kept going. I am so happy that I didn't have my three small children with me. It took me three turns onto three different streets before it finally stopped. It was very hard to turn. And my back wheels were making a horrible noise and smelled really bad when I got out. I always keep a gas can in the back in case I ever run out of gas due to the gauge not working. And mind you I have only had this vehicle a year. GM should have to pay to get this fixed. This is very dangerous. Thankfully someone was watching over me and there was no other cars headed toward me. It was on a main roads that has a 45 mile an hour speed limit. I will never buy a Chevy again.
My son was backing out of his girlfriend's driveway and he turned the wheel sharp and the shaft inside the steering column broke. Luckily he was not on the highway when it happened. I haven't made any repairs yet but will today or tomorrow. The steering column and clock spring will have to be replaced. I am going to save the steering column in case you need to inspect it.
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer had problems with power steering. Upon inspection mechanic determined the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The rack and pinion were replaced but the vehicle began making humming noises again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who believed the problem was again with the power steering. The noise returned and this time the technician though it was the power steering pump.
New Trailblazer has an inherent problem with the steering. The steering is ultra sensitive at highway speeds and minor corrections ten to cause oversteering and swaying of the vehicle. I believe in an emergency highway situation the steerings sensitivity could result in loss of control and a possible rollover situation. I have been to the dealer twice since the car was delivered and they said the tires and alignment are all withing specs. The manager did comment after driving my car that he thought the steering was very responsive and that Chevy makes changes from year to year and this seems to be the most sensitive. He said nothing could be done. I called Chevy customer service and filed a report. They contacted the dealer and said all was within specs and they could not do anything. I think this is a potentially major issue and someone should review the saftey aspecs of this steering.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baton Rouge, LA, USA