2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Body & structure Problems

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to operate as needed and the vehicle nearly crashed. Additionally, the contact reported that the rear of the vehicle lifted significantly and made a popping sound while driving. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with brake line failures, ABS malfunction, and severe structural deterioration of the undercarriage and the sub frame. The contact had recently purchased the vehicle and was informed that the vehicle was in good condition. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,124.

NHTSA ID

11730050

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

Mileage

109,124 mi

Rear frame rail rust through at control arm mount locations on both driver and passenger side. In addition frame from suspension mount forward approx 2feet rust through. Vehicle was kept washed and has no other rust issues except for frame. I’ve learned that this was an issue from 2003 to 2008 model years. This issue has been checked and verified thru a reputable garage

NHTSA ID

11452002

Incident

Aug 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH with a fully loaded pull behind 6X12 U-Haul trailer hitched to the vehicle on the highway, a tractor trailer drove by at 70 MPH, and the wake turbulence from the tractor trailer caused the U-Haul trailer to fishtail, the vehicle and trailer did a 180-degree skid, spun around, and then jackknifed; causing damages to the U-Haul trailer and the vehicle. There were no injuries sustained. The contact was concerned about the safety of the design of the U-Haul trailer. The contact stated that the U-Hauler trailer was not designed with the proper wheel and axle configuration which caused the trailer to be unsafe while driving over bumps or depressions on the roadway. The contact stated that he was advised by the South Carolina State Patrol to file a Collision Report. The contact had not yet contacted U-Haul to report the failure. The vehicle was still drivable and was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 208,000.

NHTSA ID

11451416

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Mileage

208,000 mi

MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING MY GAS GAIGE STOPPED WORKING AND MY ODOMETER WENT OUT CANT SEE THE MILELAGE AND I DONT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TAKE,AND THE SPEED IS MOT WORKING.I REMEMBER A RECALL AWHILE AGO IF YOU HAD THE PROBLEM THEY SAID AND I DIDNT AT THAT TIME I THINK IT WAS 2011

NHTSA ID

11057748

Incident

Dec 1, 2017

FRAME HAS RUSTED THOUGH, JUST DISCOVERED DURING REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION BY GARAGE.

NHTSA ID

10926636

Incident

Nov 16, 2016

Mileage

70,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOOR POWER SWITCH FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10824007

Incident

Jan 25, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. DURING COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BEING WARMED UP. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR AND DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V248000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10676705

Incident

Jan 20, 2015

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK, THE WATER PUMP, THE EVAPORATOR CORD, THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS (WHICH MELTED AND CAUSED THE LIGHT BULB TO FAIL), THE HUB ASSEMBLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER, THE MOTOR BLOWER RESISTOR WIRES, AND THE DOOR LOCKS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND THE REAR HATCH LOCK SYSTEM AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILURES PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,875.

NHTSA ID

10643838

Incident

Oct 1, 2007

Mileage

83,875 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DRIVER DOOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

10594570

Incident

Jul 9, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi

PLEASE CONSIDER A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR ALL NEW VEHICLES PRODUCED THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A REAR LIFTGATE/TAILGATE, SUCH AS CROSSOVERS, SUV'S AND MINI-VANS. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE GATE FROM THE INSIDE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A LATCH TO OPEN ALL GATES FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE IN CASE IT BECOMES THE ONLY WAY OUT IN CASE OF FIRE OR IF SINKING IN WATER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10543549

Incident

Sep 4, 2013

Mileage

126,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE REVEL MOLDING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING, POWER TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR DECK MOLDING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,324. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10513324

Incident

Jan 3, 2011

Mileage

150,000 mi

TODAY DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH IN MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT. WE HEARD A LOUD CLACKING NOISE. AS I TURN AROUND I SEE THE LARGE PLASTIC PIECE OF THE TAILGATE FLY OFF AND THE 3RD TAILLIGHT JUST DANGLING. IN MY SEARCH TONIGHT I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION I AM NOT THE ONLY TRAILBLAZER OWNER WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509013

Incident

Apr 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH STOP LIGHT ABOVE THE LIFT GATE FRACTURED DUE TO ICE IN THE WINTER. THE PART SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND SOMEONE RAN OVER THE PIECE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HIGH STOP LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10504095

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

102,000 mi

CRASHED STRAIGHT INTO THE BACK END OF A VEHICLE DOING 60 WHILE I WAS DOING ATLEAST 80, OR 85, MAYBE MORE, I DON'T REMEMBER. THE FIRST THING I REMEMBER SEEING IS REALIZING I'M ALRIGHT DESPITE THE BLOOD IN THE COCKPIT AND ON MY FACE DESPITE SNEEZING WHICH WAS SPREADING BLOOD. IS THIS A VEHICLE DEFECT OR WHAT? MY MATH SAYS THAT CRASHING AT 85MPH INTO A VEHICLE DOING 60 IS LIKE CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL AT 25MPH. I'VE HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HE SAYS ACCORDING TO HIS OBD-II COMPUTER EVERYTHING IS WORKING FINE (OR WAS ATLEAST) :) ANYWAYS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AGAIN WITH ANY MORE QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10496767

Incident

Feb 7, 2013

Mileage

146,000 mi

MY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THE LEFT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED.....WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG THIS CAR! *TR

NHTSA ID

10478103

Incident

May 16, 2012

Mileage

140,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER NEW IN 2006. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO USE A BUNGEE CORD TO KEEP IT SHUT UNTIL I GOT IT IN TO A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT. I WAS TOLD THAT SOMEHOW WATER GOT INSIDE THE DOOR AND DAMAGED THE COMPONENTS MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO SHUT BUT WARNED ME IF IT WAS OPENED AGAIN IT MAY NOT SHUT SO IT HAS BEEN DUCT-TAPED UP SO MY CHILDREN WON'T INADVERTENTLY USE IT. I NOTICED RUST ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE MOON ROOF VERY EARLY ON. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED GENTLY FROM THE BACK PORTION OF THE HANDLE AS IT APPEARS IT IS GOING TO BREAK OFF IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE REAR HATCH AND ALSO THE GLASS PORTION OF THE HATCH BACK HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNLOCKED A COUPLE TIMES BY PRESSING THE AUTO UNLOCK ON THE KEY REPEATEDLY (MORE THAN 3 TIMES HE SAID) I HAVE NOT BEEN AS FORTUNATE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE REAR QUARTERS NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10427032

Incident

Jun 9, 2010

Mileage

700,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2005 TRAILBLAZER IN AUGUST 2008. IN OCTOBER 2008, THE REAR WINDOW HINGE ADHESIVE WAS SEPARATING CAUSING THE HATCH TO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THIS WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. NOW IN SEPTEMBER 2010 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. THE REAR WINDOW ADHESIVE HAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE HINGE AND THE WINDOW DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND HAS A POSSIBILITY OF COMPLETELY FALLING OFF. WHEN THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR IS OPENED NOW THE HINGE 'POPS' UP AND HITS THE GLASS. THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE ADHESIVE TO MEND THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAY CHEVY WILL NOT PAY FOR ANOTHER GLASS REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE HINGE CONNECTED TO THE GLASS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A FACTORY DEFECT. I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES OF DIFFERENT YEARS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND WORSE WHEN THE DOORS DID FALL OFF OR THE GLASS SCATTERED DUE TO THE POOR ADHESIVE ON THE HINGE. THIS WILL COST OVER $800 TO REPLACE IF THIS CANNOT BE RESOLVED AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THE ADHESIVE ON THE NEW GLASS WILL HOLD AND I WILL HAVE NO RECOURSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10356623

Incident

Sep 16, 2010

Mileage

77,103 mi

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO MY CONCERN. I OWN A 2005 TRAILBLAZER. SINCE DAY 1 I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEALS ON THE DOORS - ESP BACK DOORS. FOR THE MOST PART THIS HAS BEEN AN INCONVENIENCE UNTIL THE OTHER DAY. THROUGHOUT THE OWNERSHIP OF MY VEHICLE, AT ABOUT EVERY 10 - 15,000 MILES I WAS HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE DOOR SEALS. WITHOUT FAIL, THEY CONTINUE TO COME OFF. THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND WAS WONDERING WHAT THAT RUBBING NOISE WAS. THE DOOR SEAL FROM MY DRIVER'S REAR DOOR WAS HANGING DOWN INTO MY WHEEL AXLE. THE SEAL GOT WORN DOWN TO THE METAL CORD THAT IS ON THE INSIDE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HUGE DANGER SHOULD THIS HAVE FALLEN DOWN ANY FURTHER AND GOT TWISTED INTO MY WHEEL AXLE. ONE THING IT DID DO FOR SURE IS IT DESTROYED MY NEWER TIRE! THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE DOOR SEALS ON TRAILBLAZERS ARE A POOR DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT THEY ENCOUNTER A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR SEALS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10282368

Incident

Aug 15, 2009

Mileage

77,000 mi

NO REAL EVENTS, THE HINGE BECAME UNGLUED FROM THE REAR WINDOW, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO BECOME UNHOOKED FROM THE BODY OF THE TRAILBLAZER. BECAUSE THIS THEN RAISES THE WINDOW ABOVE THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE THE WIND CAN CATCH IT AND PULL IT COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10277996

Incident

Jul 10, 2009

Mileage

58,000 mi

THE NUMBERS ON THE SELECTION FOR THE RADIO AND CD PAINT HAS PEELED OFF AND I HAD THE RADIO REPLACED ONCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10261940

Incident

Mar 15, 2009

Mileage

30,000 mi

HEADLIGHTS DIM INTERMITTENTLY, HEAT LOOSES POWER AT THE SAME TIME, NOW GETTING FLICKERING OF INTERIOR LIGHTS. WASN'T ABLE TO FIX IT. BUMPER WARPING. GETTING 10 MILES TO THE GALLON! PAINT ON BUTTONS WEARING ON RADIO. SUN ROOF LEAKED PROFUSELY, HAD IT FIXED. REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER DOESN'T WORK. HEAD LINER SAGGED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232911

Incident

May 1, 2006

Mileage

10,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLAMPS FLICKER OR DIM WHILE DRIVING, SIMILAR TO A POWER SURGE. THE DEALER WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. WHEN THE FAILURE WAS ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A REPAIR. AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER OF 2007, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A SPARKING SOUND AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE ONCE MORE. ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2007, THE RADIO AND ALL THE COMPONENTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED FOR THEM TO EVENTUALLY OPERATE AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE DOME LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCHES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR HATCHBACK LATCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE KEY BUZZER WOULD CONTINUE TO SOUND. ON JANUARY 25, 2008, THE REAR WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND FAILED AGAIN ON MARCH 4, 2008. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,182 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMBLEM ON THE REAR TAILGATE LOOSING COLOR, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE WORN. UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10221191

Incident

Feb 28, 2005

Mileage

70 mi

WHILE OPENING THE REAR HATCH OF OUR 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LT THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED IN TO A MILLION PIECES. THE LOUD EXPLOSION SCARED MY WIFE AS IF SOMEONE HAD SHOT THE GLASS OUT. THERE WAS NO EXCESSIVE FORCE USED, THE WEATHER WAS COLD ~34 F, THERE WAS NO SNOW OR ICE ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10216795

Incident

Feb 3, 2008

THE PART ABOVE THE BACK HATCH (RIGHT ABOVE WINDOW) BLEW OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE-HE STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL TRAILBLAZERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10208586

Incident

Jun 15, 2007

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE LOADING LUGGAGE INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, BOTH STRUTS ON THE TAILGATE FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE ORDERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10166710

Incident

Aug 26, 2006

Mileage

22,100 mi