EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 261 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 126 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2009 | 3 | 126 |
| Nov 2009 | 1 | 127 |
| Dec 2009 | 5 | 132 |
| Jan 2010 | 7 | 139 |
| Feb 2010 | 7 | 146 |
| Mar 2010 | 8 | 154 |
| Apr 2010 | 1 | 155 |
| May 2010 | 2 | 157 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 158 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 159 |
| Aug 2010 | 4 | 163 |
| Sep 2010 | 4 | 167 |
| Oct 2010 | 3 | 170 |
| Nov 2010 | 5 | 175 |
| Dec 2010 | 4 | 179 |
| Jan 2011 | 9 | 188 |
| Feb 2011 | 3 | 191 |
| Mar 2011 | 3 | 194 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 195 |
| May 2011 | 5 | 200 |
| Jun 2011 | 3 | 203 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 204 |
| Aug 2011 | 4 | 208 |
| Nov 2011 | 2 | 210 |
| Dec 2011 | 2 | 212 |
| Jan 2012 | 2 | 214 |
| Feb 2012 | 1 | 215 |
| Mar 2012 | 2 | 217 |
| May 2012 | 2 | 219 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 220 |
| Sep 2012 | 4 | 224 |
| Feb 2013 | 3 | 227 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 228 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 229 |
| Jul 2013 | 2 | 231 |
| Aug 2013 | 2 | 233 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 234 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 235 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 236 |
| Apr 2014 | 2 | 238 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 239 |
| Jun 2014 | 2 | 241 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 242 |
| Aug 2014 | 2 | 244 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 245 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 246 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 247 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 248 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 249 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 250 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 251 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 252 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 253 |
| Nov 2017 | 2 | 255 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 256 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 257 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 258 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 259 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 260 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 261 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical14749.0%
- Fuel system4615.3%
- Engine217.0%
- Exterior lighting124.0%
- Transmission113.7%
- Driver assistance93.0%
- Visibility82.7%
- Other / unspecified82.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Loss 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 the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
FUEL 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 RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.
BRAKE 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 INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS RECENTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT WAS LISTED IN THE POLICE REPORT AS A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE IMPACT AS I WAS TOLD WAS HARD ENOUGH THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11196849
- Incident
- Apr 14, 2019
- Mileage
- 197,000 mi
RUSTED FUEL LINES- GARAGE CHECKED STRONG FUEL SMELL AND DISCOVERED RUSTED FUEL FILLER AND LINES
- NHTSA ID
- 11176132
- Incident
- Feb 8, 2019
- Mileage
- 171,000 mi
PART # 19120564 RUBS ON TAILGATE WHEN OPENING . DOES SECURE PROPERLY. EVENTUALLY, FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING.
- NHTSA ID
- 11165442
- Incident
- Jun 22, 2010
WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST SHUT OFF. IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY AT NIGHT. I FOUND THAT I CAN HOWEVER USE THE BRIGHTS. THEY EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS. I KEPT HOPING FOR A RECALL AND JUST FOUND THIS SITE TO REPORT IT. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN THERE ARE STREET LIGHTS AND VEHICLE LIGHTS AND WHEN IT IS PITCH BLACK. THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY.
- NHTSA ID
- 11074267
- Incident
- Oct 5, 2007
- Mileage
- 40,000 mi
MY FAMILY WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE COMPLETE THIRD TAILLIGHT COVER BLEW OFF. IT APPEARS THAT THE ADHESIVE THAT ATTACHES THE REAR SPOILER TO THE GLASS OF LIFT GATE HAS LOOSENED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11063544
- Incident
- Jan 16, 2018
- Mileage
- 105,000 mi
INSTRUMENTAL PANEL/ GAGE CLUSTER. ALL GAGES CONTINUE TO FAIL SPIKING ALL OVER THE PLACE PRIOR TO FAILING. AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK ON THEN OFF RANDOMLY
- NHTSA ID
- 11056230
- Incident
- Dec 22, 2017
- Mileage
- 157,000 mi
STALLS - I HAVE TAKEN THIS TRAILBLAZER INTO THE DEALER FOR THIS STALLING PROBLEM AND I AM TOLD NO PROBLEM FOUND. VEHICLE STALLS AFTER COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN MOVING SLOWLY. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11042913
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2005
- Mileage
- 12,000 mi
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD
- NHTSA ID
- 11042908
- Incident
- May 9, 2017
- Mileage
- 143,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
POWER TRAIN
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.