2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical14749.0%
- Fuel system4615.3%
- Engine217.0%
- Exterior lighting124.0%
- Transmission113.7%
- Driver assistance93.0%
- Visibility82.7%
- Other / unspecified82.7%
- Steering82.7%
- Airbags72.3%
- Body & structure72.3%
- Interior & seats51.7%
- Powertrain (other)51.7%
- Seat belts20.7%
- Brakes20.7%
- Tires & wheels20.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING ALONE WITH ALL THE OTHER GAUGES AND TURNING SIGNAL NOT WORKING
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
RUSTED FUEL LINES- GARAGE CHECKED STRONG FUEL SMELL AND DISCOVERED RUSTED FUEL FILLER AND LINES
THE INLET CHECK VALVE IS FRACTURED AND CHEVY WILL NOT DO ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE MILEAGE BEING OVER 150000
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD
VEHICLE'S REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON, AND VEHICLE LOSES POWER IN DANGEROUS PLACES. LOST OF PROBLEMS CONSIST OF SEVERAL PARTS HAVING TO DO WITH ACCELERATION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED SUDDENLY, ANDNIS A DANGER TO HIMAN SAFETY BECAUSE OF IT HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING O N THE HIGHWAY.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, GAS GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY, CAR DIED. RESTARTED DROVE 1/4 MILE DIED. STEREO SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED (WHOLE UNIT). KEEPS POPPING CIRCUITS CHANGED OUT STILL DOING. CANNOT SHUT OFF HEAT DUE TO BANGING SOUND. CAR SPEEDS UP AND DOWN ON OWN. CANNOT READ GAS GAUGE CORRECTLY, NOT SURE HOW FULL TANK IS. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. ENGINE REVS IN NEUTRAL, THEN TRANSMISSION WOULD RE-ENGAGE. FAILURE WOULD OCCUR EVERYTIME VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. REPAIRED BY COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD. *TR
ABOUT 10 MILES OUTSIDE OF DALLAS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT NO INITIAL PROBLEMS. LATER THAT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 30MPH. I RETURNED HOME THAT NIGHT AND LEFT IT PARKED. THE NEXT DAY TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND THE GUY DID AN ENGINE CHECK STATING THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AND THAT IT WAS LOW ON FLUIDS. I ADDED 3 QUARTS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH SEEMED TO HELP A LITTLE BIT, BUT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH MAKING AN 8 HR TRIP BACK HOME. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEEDODOMETER AND RPM CLUSTERS MALFUNCTIONS,WHY
ALL GAUGES ON CONTROL PANEL NOT WORKING, BUT ALL SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON CHECK ENGINE, ABS SEAT BELT, REDUCE POWER, BATTERY LIGHTS. SPEED AND FUEL ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW AS WELL AS WARNINGS TO OBSERVE FROM LIGHTS. 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW A FASTER SPEED THAN YOU MOVING OR WILL GO TO 0 WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THE TACH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED NOW. I HEARD THAT THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUE ON PICK-UPS AND THEY WERE RECALLED. MOST INSTRUMENT BACKLIGHTS HAVE BURNED OUT PREVENTING THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES FROM BEING SEEN AT NIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS. QUICK SEARCH ON INTERNET RESULTS IN A SEVERE EPIDEMIC OF THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL GM SUV'S. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT RESULTED IN A NATIONWIDE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL SIMILAR VEHICLES BUT NOT THE CHEVY TRAILBLAZER OR GMC ENVOY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CRIMINAL ACT BY GM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT..WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT, I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2004/CHEVROLET/TRAILBLAZER/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM CHECK OUT ALL THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM AND I AM ONE OF MANY. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHERS AS WELL, PLEASE GET US A RECALL ON THESE CARS THE EXPENSES ARE TREMENDOUS. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM DID NOT DETECT MOISTURE. AS A RESULT, THE WIPERS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND OPERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V046000 (VISIBILITY/WPIER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND THE REAR GLASS HAS SHATTERED 2 TIMES THE FIRST TIME WE REPORTED IT AS A WINDOW BEING SHOT OUT BUT IM NOT SURE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED NOW THERE WAS NO PROOF THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED FOR SURE I OPENED THE OUTSIDE DOOR TO MY HOUSE THEN I SHUT IT TO HEAR MY WINDOW SHATTER INS PAID TO REPLACE IT AND THAT WAS JUST OVER A YEAR AGO IT COST A TOTAL OF 1200.00 TO GET FIXED THEN LAST NIGHT WE WERE GETTING STUFF OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR AND AS MY HUSBAND PUSHED IT SHUT THE WINDOW SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES THIS WOULD HAVE CUT HIM UP BAD IF IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COLD AND HE WASN'T WEARING HIS WINTER COAT WHAT IF IT WAS MY 8 YEAR OLD GOING OUT TO GET SOMETHING . NOT SURE HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THE WINDOW REPLACED ITS CHRISTMAS TIME AND I CANT REALLY AFFORD IT HOPING THE GLASS COMPANY WILL HONOR THERE POLICY OF SAFE GLASS AND REPLACE IT. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN HAD THE CRASH WHICH WAS VERY HARD LOUD AND SCARY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY NOR DID THE AIR BAGS ON THE SIDE OF SEAT. THE CRASH WAS VERY SERIOUS AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND POWERTRAIN TO WINDOWS. *TR
I WAS WONDERING HOW COME THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR THE CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. I SEE THAT THEY HAVE RECALLS ON OTHER CHEVY CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AS WHEN THIS GOES YOU HAVE A REDUCE ENGINE LIGHT THAT COMES ON. WHICH I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANT UNTIL MY CAR WASN'T GOING ANY MORE THAN 20 MPH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD LIKE I WAS AND CAN'T SPEED UP OR BETTER YET TRYING TO TURN WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE POWER TO DO SO. ALSO, I SEE THAT THERE WERE ALSO ALOT OF ISSUES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. WHICH ALSO I HAD THAT PROBLEM HAS TO PAY TOO MUCH MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED. AS HOW THEY WOULD SAY THEIR ARE MANUFACTURE PARTS WHICH DEFINITELY HURTS YOUR POCKETS. IF THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THESE ISSUES THEY REALLY NEED TO RECTIFY BECAUSE BOTH OF THESE ISSUES CAUSE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD. I KNOW THEY ARE WEAR AND TEAR ON CARS / TRUCKS BUT IF YOU HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS I THINK THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. *JS
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN COLD WEATHER, THE STEERING FLUID BECOMES FILLED WITH AIR. THEN IT FOAMS AND BOILS OUT OF THE PUMP.THE CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. IT HAS DONE IT TWICE. *TR
MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAD A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT AND FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TRAVELING FAST AT THE TIME. NOTE THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE SYSTEM AND THERE WAS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
"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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PART # 19120564 RUBS ON TAILGATE WHEN OPENING . DOES SECURE PROPERLY. EVENTUALLY, FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2004 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER OIL, GAS, SPEEDOMETER AND BATTERY GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND MY HEATED SEATS SMELL LIKE THEY'RE BURNING WHEN TURNED ON. *TR
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND THE TAILGATE ON MY '04 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER POPPED OPEN. I WAS IN MORNING TRAFFIC AND IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE BUT NOW I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ISSUE? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN IT TRIES TO SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, I READ THAT THERE WAS A REPORT ON THIS HAPPENING BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AS FAR AS I KNOW, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO SAYS THEY NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPER WORK FROM GM ABOUT DOING REPAIRS. MY QUESTION IS WILL GM REPAIR THIS CONDITION AT NO COST TO ME?
THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES CORRODED AND CAUSED A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 86. WHEN THE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, IT SPRAYED ALL OVER THE EXHAUST PIPES, WHICH CAUSED A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. DUE TO THE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT CASED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION INTERNALS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT 60 MPH, GOING INTO A DITCH, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT SECURE THE CONSUMER, AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB *SC
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE SEAT BELT ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. HAS MALFUNCTIONED, I.E. IT DOES NOT COME OUT, AND THEREFORE WILL FORCE ME TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. *NM I HAVE VISITED THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO HAVE THEM CORRECT THE PROBLEM, EVERYTIME I TRAVEL TO THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO BE THE TIME THAT IT STARTS TO WORK AGAIN. GM'S POLICY IS THAT "IF THEY DO NOT SEE THE PROBLEM WHEN IT OCCURS, THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM" I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, BEING UNABLE TO BUCKLE MY SEATBELT ON OCCASION, AND NOT TO MENTION ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEATBELT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IN TALKING WITH SEVERAL OTHER TRAILBLAZER OWNERS, THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK BRAKES STARTED LOCKING UP DROVE HOME TOOK APART FRONT AN REAR BRAKES FOUND FRONT CALIPERS LOCKED UP CHANGED CALIPERS AN BRAKE PADS FRONT AN REAR TRIED TO BLEED BRAKES HAD A SPONGY PEDAL FILLED MASTER CYLINDER AN NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER MASTER CYLINDER CONNECTOR BEHIND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL NO PART TO FIX NO LISTING . CANNOT DRIVE CAR. THAT'S JUST ONE PROBLEM TRANSMISSION LINES ROTTED AN CHANGED 2 YEARS AGO . POWER STEERING COOLER ROTTED OUT LOST ALL POWER STEERING FLUID 1 MONTH AGO AN PUT AFTER MARKET COOLER IN . ALSO AIR CONDITIONER LINES ROTTED OUT CANNOT HOLD R34 COOLANT ANYMORE. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EX. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE CENTER HIGH BRAKE LIGHT WAS WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY PRIVATE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. I STATED I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR SPECIAL POLICY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT HE WOULD CHECK. 1) THERE WAS RECALL NHTSA ACTIONS # EA04021 THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS YEAR VEHICLE. 2) I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A GM SPECIAL POLICY THAT WOULD COVER THE RIGHT TAILLIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD. I WAS TOLD THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE BULBS IN THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. THERE IS NOT POLICY TO REPLACE THE LEFT CIRCUIT BOARD. IF IT FAILS THERE IT WILL BE COVERED FOR 6 YEARS OR 75,000 MILES. MY ISSUE IS IT THERE IS SOME SORT OF DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL BUT THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR MODEL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE SWITCHING INTO 4WD/AWD ON ITS OWN - MALFUNCTION TOOK VEHICLE IN BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO SWITCH INTO AWD AND 4WD ON ITS OWN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ENTIRE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN SWITCHING (ON ITS OWN) FROM 2HI TO AWD. CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND PROBLEM IN TRANSFER CASE MODULE. THEY REPLACED MODULE AND PROGRAM. VEHICLE 4WD MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. VEHICLE TRYING TO SWITCH INTO 4WD AND AWD ON ITS OWN. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED ENCODER MOTOR. VEHICLE IS STILL SWITCHING INTO 4WD AND AWD RANDOMLY. I WILL TAKE IT IN AGAIN. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE UNDER 43000 MILES ON VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS MANY TRAILBLAZER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *JB
2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER (FIANCE'S), FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES. AT APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES, WE NOTICED A TREAD SEPARATION ON RIGHT REAR TIRE. (TWO DIFFERENT SPOTS ON TIRE). IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT THE TREAD IS PEELING BACK ON REST OF TIRE ALSO. AS OF THIS TIME, THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ORE RECENTLY, WE FOUND OUT THAT CONTINENTAL HAS A 12-15 WEEK BACKORDER, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE HALTED PRODUCTION DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM. ****ACTUAL TIRE IZE:245/65/SR17**** SITE DID NOT GIVE THAT OPTION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .