The 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer has 2 safety recalls and 1,081 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (641 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints1,081filed by owners
Crashes · fires56 · 31reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths74 · 4reported in complaints
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
NHTSA recall 05V198000 · May 5, 2005 · 286,478 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
NHTSA recall 04V527000 · Nov 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.1%
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.1%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
TrailBlazer 2WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
TrailBlazer 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; 12v/24v/48v battery
641
4
14
6
65,000 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights; Tail lights
104
1
4
0
85,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
96
1
0
1
69,500 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
64
2
2
1
58,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
43
0
0
0
116,500 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
42
39
1
53
56,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
39
0
5
0
36,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Cruise control; Accelerator pedal
38
4
1
3
59,300 mi
Visibility Power window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear
31
0
2
3
48,000 mi
Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate
23
2
1
2
98,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
22
5
1
1
36,250 mi
Unknown or other
19
2
1
3
71,050 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 9, 2025 · crashAir bags I was driving and a girl pulled out from a stop sign and hit my passenger side front of my trailblazer. Her airbags deployed immediately, meanwhile mine didn't deploy. My husband saved my face by throwing his arm over me!
Mar 1, 2022 · 189,000 milesExterior lighting › Headlights The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights became inoperable. After a while, the headlights became operational. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.
Jan 1, 2021Electrical system Electronic throttle body? No throttle control, motor will only idle, turn ignition switch off, then restart it will run. Reduced Engine Power light comes on. Happens for no apparent reason. Very unsafe situation.
Jan 4, 2022 · 153,000 miles · fire · 1 injuryFirerelated The contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the rear passenger side. The contact pulled over and noticed that underneath the rear passenger's seat had caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact sustained burns to his left shoulder, hands, and elbows. However, no medical treatment was received. A police report was filed. The contact was unaware if there was a fire department report. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.…
Dec 4, 2021 · 89,000 milesTires The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer equipped with Hankook tires Model:Dynapro HT Tire Size: P245/70R16 Dot Number:Unknown. The contact stated that she had both rear tires, driver side and passenger side, replaced with the Hankook tires by an independent mechanic. After the instillation, the contact stated that the vehicle would shake while driving at various speeds without warning . The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who inspected the tires and made adjustments; however, the shaking persisted. While driving at 65 MPH, the lost control of the vehicle's steering as the vehicle began to abruptly fishtail. As the vehicle continued to spin out of control, the contact…
Apr 3, 2021 · 35 milesFuel/propulsion system FUL PUMP
Jul 19, 2019Electrical system MY CLUSTERBOARD IS COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONING THE READINGS ARE NOT WORKING
Jul 28, 2020 · 126,432 milesFuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL MILEAGE HAD ALSO DECREASED WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN EVAP SMOKE TEST PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE RESULT OF THE TEST DISCOVERED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE FUEL NECK THAT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE WITH J.B.A. CHEVROLET (7327 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
RQ17002 · opened Apr 24, 2017 · closed Mar 29, 2021Loss of Headlights The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause…
EA07009 · opened Jul 10, 2007 · closed Aug 28, 2008FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A…
EA04021 · opened Aug 3, 2004 · closed Nov 4, 2004 · led to recall 04V527000BRAKE LAMP FAILURE GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL…
PE04032 · opened Apr 6, 2004 · closed Aug 3, 2004BRAKE LAMP FAILURE THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002-04 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES.GM REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES SHARING THIS PLATFORM AND BRAKE LAMP DESIGN ARE THE MY 2002-2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT; GMC ENVOY, XL, XUV; OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND 2004 BUICK RAINIER.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMP DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.THERE IS NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT ONE OR MORE BRAKE LAMPS BULBS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.GM FOUND THAT HEAT FROM THE BULB COULD DEFORM THE LAMP SOCKET, PRODUCE ELECTRICAL ARCING AND AN INOPERATIVE BULB.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, GM CHANGED THE BULB TO A BULB THAT TRANSMITS LESS HEAT TO THE SOCKET AND CHANGED THE SOCKET TO A THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER TO IMPROVE THERMAL STABILITY.THESE CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED INTO PRODUCTION VEHICLES ON OCTOBER 1, 2003.GM IMPLEMENTED A…
