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:
2 / 32
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
74,595 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.
Car randomly locks automatically by itself while car is parked and running. I have been locked out on several occasions. Locks while keys are in the ignition or if there just sitting in cup holder or wherever.
Driving vehicle turn it off turn back on drive somewhere and turn it off and go swimming for an hour came back go to go start it and would not start I believe it's the anti-theft system as we replaced the ignition switch and the ignition cylinder but my illumination selector for my gear selector nor my tachometer works nor do my front two windows or locks
Several months ago, I was at a fast food drive up window. I had my drivers side window down while paying for my food and receiving my food. It was down pouring and the inside of my door got pretty wet. I wiped off the rain as best as I could but everything was soaked. The very next day the drivers side door controls started to go haywire. The window button stopped working and my door locks only worked occasionally until they stopped working all together. My side mirrors can no longer be adjusted from the drivers seat. I have to get out of the vehicle and manually adjust both driver and passenger side mirrors. I'm not sure if there is a short in the wiring from the rain or just what is going on. I asked a parts dealer to see how much it would cost to replace the drivers side door controls module and he was of no help except to say its a recall part because of moisture. I've looked this up and I see there was a recall but my VIN isn't on the recall list. I don't understand why my vehicle is excluded considering this appears to be exactly what this incident generated the recall in the first place. I further looked into the investigation you had on the Trailblazer's outside of the salt belt states having the same issues with the moisture and issues that arise from the damaged door controls. I'm not sure if I would be considered in the expanded recall but I'm certain I should be as this is exactly why my drivers side door controls failed. I feel this is a huge safety issue as i don't know if there is a electrical/wiring short and not being able to adjust the side mirrors is an impairment. There was no warning to let me know anything was wrong. The system just went out just that fast. Please advise me how to proceed with my next steps to get this resolved. Also, my low beams went completely out the other day and replacing the bulbs didn't fix that issue. I do have a recall scheduled for January to get the headlights fixed and I'd like them to fix both issues. Thank you.
.+Electrical system. Have read this speedometer issue can also cause other malfunctions on instrument panel such as cruise control issues..+Driving a car with a broken or faulty speedometer is very dangerous. Not only can it put you in danger, but it can also jeopardize the safety of your passengers, and other drivers and pedestrians on the road. As for the law, you can also be ticketed for operating a vehicle with a broken speedometer, which can cost you fines and court fees, and even risk suspending your drivers-?? license..+My mechanic has not had the chance to look at it yet as he isn't open till Monday..+No other warnings were given prior to failure.
Stabilitrak light comes on intermittently for no apparent reason. Have had brake fluid, brake pads, rotors, sensors and tires replaced. Traction control and ABS checked; all is good. No cel code relating to this issue. Traction control off button doesn"T work once light appears. There is no difference in driving when light is on. Still haven"T figured out what causes it. Battery, power cords, and alternator have both had to be replaced do to issues with the voltage outputs. Now to replace fuse box and ECM due to more voltage output issues. Cel has had no indications of an ECM, fuse box, alternator, or battery problem until they were beyond repair (this also happened with other transfer case leak, loss of reverse gear, and front differential leak). Cel comes and goes by itself at anytime with no difference in drivability or conditions. Each time it reappeared it?S thrown different sensors and/or circuits failing or high/low voltages including O2, maf, tps, evap system, wheel speed, fuel pressure, oil pressure, steering wheel, gas and brake pedal position, air bag impact, just to name a few. My car has recently started going into limp mode at random due to this electrical issue. Only remedy for this problem is disconnecting the wiring harness and allowing the fuse box and ECM to cool down. And finally, my oil filler tube seal broke and oil was spitting out into engine bay. Coincidentally, my PCV valve tube had also broken, and the tube was hanging loose right in front of the oil filler tube. As a result, PCV tubing sucked up a large amount of oil into the air intake; with no check engine light illumination indicating any problems during the time of failure. My air intake system is nearly ruined (not to mention the $$$ I shelled out in oil) and the wear down on parts has been detrimental to the life of the engine. This car is nothing but a cash cow for GM.
- Reno, NV, USA
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Whether the car is turned on, or off with or without key in the ignition, it has a small speaker or tweeter that steadily stays making a faint buzz. The center console is very loose, and if you press or knock up against the right side or the back side, it becomes louder and/or quieter. Then while in auto (2wd-4WD^or4wdl) and driving, the transmissions feels to not switch geer at the right time, or from drive to reverse and back to drive it jolts forward or back really hard.
When turn the car off and remove the key from the ignition, there are two speakers that continue to make static noise, whether I have opened the door or not. If I bump or hit the center console it will make the speakers louder or turn off. The check engine light is on for multiple codes, and I have worn out shocks. The shocks should make me feel as if I am gliding, bur I feel and jerk to every bump.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel, oil and speedometer gauge failed to provide an accurate reading. The contact also stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 241,539. The VIN was not available.
Engine will shut off going down the road then after several minutes it will start again. Also I have had the headlights go out driving at night they will suddenly go out.
Fuel gauge consistently showed "empty" and external lights were always very dim. Lack of awareness of fuel status led to breakdown on heavily trafficked road and dim hazard lights contributed to poor visibility and a fatal accident.
This vehicle has had 4 ignition switch failures. Sometimes when the vehicle is traveling at highway speed. Losing brakes and power steering. There was an ignition switch recall on 2006 Chevy Trailblazers but this perticular one is not included. When I read online forums there are many people battling this dangerous problem. Please help!
The airbag deactivated light on the dash cluster comes on and off but mostly stays on now. No codes showing the cause. While driving both low beam headlights suddenly turned off, later diagnosis showed an electrical issue that melted both low beam light connectors and wires at the bulb end, new connectors were installed. Two different times within 1yr the heater blower motor relay has gotten hot enough to melt the connector and burn out the relay, connector replaced twice and currently melting again as fan speed 1, 4, and 5 have again stopped working. Heater blower motor also replaced twice concurrent with relay.
Recall for faulty fuse or connection in the driver's side door that could malfunction if the wiring became wet and cause an electrical problem. I was notified by regular mail from Chevrolet in or around 2013. In approximately 2015, there was a short in a fuse in the driver's side door after a rainstorm. The power window malfunctioned and did not work. The following morning the window functioned normally again. I have had no trouble with the window or the door since that time.
Headlights cutting out (completely off) at night while driving vehicle in a normal fashion and during good weather conditions with all interior lights off except gauges in dash display. No secondary lights or electronics on and on a dark road with very limited street lighting and while driving at 45mph. Able to regain lights by turning switch through full range a couple of times and putting on manual mode. Light sensor on dash is unobstructed.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact was informed that a 20 point inspection was performed on the vehicle by savage Kia (2725 centre ave, reading, pa 19605, (610) 678-0650). Within less than 30 days of owning the vehicle, the windshield wipers failed to turn on and off when necessary. The wipers remained activated continuously without warning. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in a warranty and recommended contacting the manufacturer. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action numbers: EA12004 (visibility, electrical system) and PE12003 (electrical system, visibility), although the vehicle exhibited the same failure as listed in the complaints in the investigation that were closed by NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. Consumer stated after leaving the dealer consumer noticed the windshield wipers would turn on by itself and would shoot water onto the windshield while driving. Consumer purchased the part and had it installed. VIN is invalid.
I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer with only a little over 80,000 miles on it. I have been having issues with the stabilitrak system. I will get read outs about the stabilitrak needs to be serviced or the stabilitrak has kicked in when it hasn't. the stabilitrak will try to in gauge for no apparent reason when appling the brakes. It happens when I am backing out of my driveway, coming to a stop or just applying the brakes to slow down. It happens on all type of road surfaces. This happens when it is bright and sunny outside, on dry roads, highways, streets, dirt roads and day or night. It does it at fast speeds and very low speeds. It makes a strange noise when this happens however the stabilitrak doesn't fully in gauge. The repair shop looked at it and told me that they think the computer modal is not communicating with the stabilitrak system. This started a few weeks ago. So I'm not sure how this will affect the brakes when driving on the snow and icy roads. I have seen other complaints on the same type of issues.
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Consumer writes in regards to transmission issues, electrical system issues, driver seat problems and other vehicle issues.
Lights start dimming while driving. Passenger side headlight and rear lights keep burning out. Replaced headlight twice within a year plug was melted. Number 4 on the air conditioner/heater control has gone out twice. Clutch fan has been replaced 4 times in the last 3 years. Code says on high speed. Water pump has been replaced 3 times and continues to leak after a few months. All have been on highway or in city driving.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hattiesburg, MS, USA