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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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,055 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.

2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #38

Oct 012014

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles

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

Gas gauge not working. Faulty unit.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #37

Oct 012014

Trailblazer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 5,500 miles
The fuel level sending unit was looked at about 1 month before June of 2007 at 4500 miles and again at June 22nd and then it was replaced. This problem continued throught out the life of the vehicle I just made sure it had gas in it. It came on again about Sept 20th of 2014 and stayed on for five days. All this time passed because I didnt have the time to mess with it. I decided I had had enough and took it to GM in olathe Kansas where they in stalled a new sending unit it is a new and better one the charged me $108.88 and I feel they should take care of the whole price.

- Wellsville, KS, USA

problem #36

Sep 012014

Trailblazer

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle dic shows "tighten fuel cap" message. Message appears even if fuel cap is tightened. Message still illuminates after replacing cap. Fuel in tank can be at any level and light still illuminates.

- Mebane, NC, USA

problem #35

Mar 152014

Trailblazer

  • 175,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 60 mph, the fuel gauge failed and displayed an inaccurate reading of empty when there was a half tank of fuel in the vehicle. An unknown warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. An independent mechanic stated that the fuel lever sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V404000 (visibility:power window devices and controls), but the part needed for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #34

May 082014

Trailblazer

  • 44,000 miles
I filled the tank on May 6, drove 4 miles, got into the car on May 8, 2014 and the gauge showed no fuel and the warning statement on the dashboard said "low fuel". I drove to the gas station and was told the tank was full. Took the car in for service and was told that the fuel sensor had to be replaced.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

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problem #33

Mar 282014

Trailblazer

  • 50,000 miles
Gas gauge now has frozen all of a sudden after 50,000 miles. I filled up my tank full, started the Trailblazer, and the gas gauge only says tank is 1/4 full!!! " the check engine light goes on and off along with the ABS and stabilitrak lights. Sometimes they are frozen and stay on for days. I understand there are alot of problems with the electrical system on these vehicles! ? unfortunately! :-( and now......the gas gauge too???!!! this does not make me happy! always loved Chevy vehicles! I don't know about anymore! how to rectify the gas gauge???"

- Cudahy, WI, USA

problem #32

Feb 182014

Trailblazer

  • 82,236 miles

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

All of the lines on my vehicle (fuel, brake, power steering) have really bad rust corrosion. These will have to be replaced before there is a serious failure. The truck is only a 2007 and the lines look like it's a 1987.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #31

May 152013

Trailblazer

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. Upon inspection, it was found that the fuel tank was empty. The contact mentioned that the fuel gauge indicated that fuel levels were adequate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.

- Fallston , MD, USA

problem #30

Apr 022013

Trailblazer

  • 65,000 miles
My fuel gauge is starting to fluctuate. I just filled it up and when I go down the road it will go down at least a quarter of a tank and when I stop and let it run idle for awhile it will go back to where it was. It just started this past week. From what I am reading, it won't belong before I will have to spend another bunch of money into it. Last month I had to put a new throttle body on it because the sensors went bad and with this year the sensors are in the throttle body, so you have to buy the whole thing. As I was getting into the vehicle about a month ago, the part for the seat controls on the bottom side of the seat just busted off. Everytime it gets colder out, the stabilitrak system won't stay on. It was always off in the winter time, never worked. When living in Michigan and getting lake effect snow alot of the time, it would be nice to have it available. I will never buy another GM product. Been buying them and my family members for more than 50 years, more and more of the newer vehicles have too many problems. I don't make that much money to keep putting money into a vehicle that is supposedly reliable and take days off of work to get them fixed. No thank you.

- Hudsonville, MI, USA

problem #29

Mar 202013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
Over the past month there has been a major problem with my fuel gauge. I put gas in my car and the gage moves up then goes back down to empty in seconds. Everyday I have to put at least 2 gallons of gas in my SUV to keep it from stopping on a street or freeway because I'm out of gas. It's hard to judge how much gas is in my Trailblazer!when I put gas in my SUV the fuel gauge does not stay nor move on the proper gallons of gas I have in my tank!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #28

Feb 202013

Trailblazer

  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle was full of gasoline however, the fuel gauge would erroneously register the fuel tank as being empty. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled twice while driving 35 mph. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer or a mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact self diagnosed the vehicle as having a faulty fuel line. The contact had to refuel in order to restart the vehicle, although there was fuel already in the fuel tank. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #27

Mar 292013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 39,308 miles
Left home for a local store (approx 2miles away) and fuel gauge read 1 notch under full. Left store and drove approx. 1/2 mile, fuel gauge gradually dropped to 3/4 full. Continued to drive and in another 1/2 mile fuel gauge gradually dropped from 3/4 to 1/2 full. Drove another 1 1/2 mile to gas station and added 2.75 gallons of 87 reg gas. Fuel gauge returned to 1 notch under full. Next day drove to store approx. 6 miles away as I was driving the fuel gauge gradually dropped from 1 notch under full to 3/4 full. Arrived at destination and shut off vehicle, waited about 1 minute and restarted vehicle. Gas gauge read 1/1/2 notches under full.

- Hicksville, NY, USA

problem #26

Jul 152011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated the fuel gauge stopped functioning and displayed empty at all times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and agreed to cover fifty percent of the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #25

Nov 152012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 122,000 miles
While picking my children up from school on 11/15/2012 I smelled burning plastic, then I looked down at the drive door it was smoking really bad. I put the car and park and opened the door, a police officer was near as I was in the school zone he saw the smoke coming from my car and ask me was I okay. He turned the car off unsure if a fire was started on the inside of the door. After about an hour the smoke stopped, but my main power window and door was not working anymore. My car smelled like burning plastic for months. I was advised that the motor may have burned out and it would cost $550 to have repaired. I noticed on 01/26/2013 my gas gauge was not working. I stopped at a local gas station and filled my car up with $62 worth the gas and when I turned the car on it showed my car was on empty and the gauge light remained lit along with my engine light. So I turned the car back off and waited about 30 sec and turned it back on it stayed the same. I took it to the shop and was advised the fuel sensor was bad and I would need to have a new fuel pump put in. I bought my car on 02/27/2010 pre-owned with 76,000 miles on it, and was given a car fax report, and it was clean. I read all these reviews about the 2007 Trailblazers and it seems they all have the same issues. These issues need to be corrected as they have to be a manufacture defect.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #24

Mar 172011

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The fuel sending unit failed in the tank, it will not register the fuel level on the dash board gauge.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #23

Feb 212013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
After filling the gas tank at a local wawa gas station that I've used since owning the vehicle, I began to head home after work. As I left the parking lot and proceeded to merge onto the main highway my fuel gauge and fuel pump completely stopped working, truck had shut off as if it had run completely out of gas, which was not the case as I had just filled the 22 gallon tank with approx. 20 gallons of fuel. Thankfully I was able to keep the fuel pump operating after letting the truck sit for about 15 minutes, but the fuel gauge is no longer operational, but who knows how long the fuel pump will operate properly. Unfortunately my fiance and child now have to drive this vehicle due to the fact of our second vehicle being sold. It has now become a safety issue as there is no bearing on fuel level in vehicle. I've done research and found this issue to be a recurring theme for the model years 2005 - 2007 as well as seeing special policy letters sent out by GM to acquaintances with the same model year SUV for a rebated repair from a licensed GM dealer and yet I've not received one. Its now affecting the registration process for my vehicle to comply with state regulations. I do not feel as though any responsibility should fall on the consumer for a part that was poorly fabricated by the manufacturer.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #22

Dec 102012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
We need your help! ***faulty gas gauge*** our 19-year-old daughter drives our 2007 Chevy Trailblazer, which apparently has a known problem of a faulty gas gauge. Our daughter noticed her gas gauge "dropped" to E and she believed she was about to be stranded on a dangerous part of the highway at night and she panicked. At first, we thought she just forgot to fill up. After it happened again, we researched the problem only to find that NHTSA and Chevrolet already knows of the problem and neglected to initiate a total recall or any notification at all. We never even received a warning letter in the mail from Chevrolet. However, we routinely receive other, apparently more important correspondence, such as, sales literature for warranties and onstar. *** this was one of your daughters and she was stranded because of a false reading, and something horrible happened to her because she was stranded, I think you would address this issue more aggressively****** we have read that Chevy will pay for 1/2 of the repair. This is not good enough. We do not have the money. This is a quality control issue on Chevy?S part, not a wear and tear issue on our part. We are counting on you to implore that Chevy completely take care of this repair free of charge to us. Taking time off from work and school, plus the threat of possibly stalling in traffic and being killed in an accident is inconvenience enough. Please help before something especially terrible happens to anyone. Thank you.

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #21

Aug 012012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • miles
Within the past 6 months, various electrical and fuel problems have emerged: The fuel gauge no longer functions at all (it always shows "empty"); the A/C works intermittently; the rear A/C and heater do not function regularly; the service engine light is always lit; odd and random issues with the stereo system occur (stations & settings randomly changing on their own, powering on/off by itself, not powering on/off as it should, & only one speaker is working at the moment); the key not releasing from the ignition; engine not turning over to start; battery dying without reason; power steering failure; alt. Gauge dropping; reduced engine power while on the highway (suddenly limiting speed to 20 mph or less); rear wiper turning on by itself; power seat malfunctioning; rough engine idle; entire instrument panel lighting up; running out of fuel while the gauge indicates that there is ample fuel in the tank; brake lamps not functioning; reduced gas mileage. On 02/25/2013, the controls on the driver's side doors stopped working; the windows will not operate or lock/unlock, the exterior mirrors will not adjust, and the locking mechanism will not work. I have brought the vehicle to the dealership for diagnostic testing at least a half dozen times, and each time no problems were detected, no explanations given, and no remedies suggested! from what I've gathered, there were recalls issued for electrical/wiring problems as well as fuel gauge problems, yet I have never received notice of any such recalls from GM!

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #20

Jan 262013

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 82,660 miles
Fuel gauged does not report correct level of fuel in the tank. Also causes other errors to be reported as problems that are not real.

- Clinton , MS, USA

problem #19

Jun 162012

Trailblazer 6-cyl

  • 101,512 miles
Some of the items forthcoming happen all together and/or intermittently separate. The initial issues noticeably started upon my arrive in South Carolina, but it was not something that immediately recognized before my relocation, because I thought it was something I did myself. I came out to my car on Saturday, 6/16/12. My car window was down and some items were stolen. I did not see any glass on the ground so I thought I left the window down myself and someone just stolen items. After speaking with the complex security and reporting the incident to hoa, I came out the truck again it smelled of wires burning and the window was down again. Several days later the tire pressure light was on and took the truck to get the wheels balanced and oil change at Firestone. The tire pressure light would not go out, nor did the engine and oil light go out. A few months after that the smell of wires burning happened again and the engine remained on for over 2 weeks, then went off. In the late fall there was a really bad thunderstorm and when arrived to truck after work; running in rain, I saw that my window was down and I could not get the window back up for about 5 minutes. I was soaked and so was the car. The truck received an oil change recently and all the lights would not go out and the walmart mechanic who did the oil change stated that he smelled gas and some wires burning, lights on panel would not go out. Smell of wires burning. Engine light comes on and stays on for days-then goes off by itself. All lights emergency lights on panel intermittently on (oil/traction/tire pressure). Fuel gauge shows/clicks as full, smells like gas in truck and runs out of fuel with gauge showing full. Driver's window goes down when keys are not in truck. Heating knob on off, still blowing hot or cold air and gauge does not turn on past 2. lights dim when using power button for windows.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

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