2005 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER EXT 370 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
237 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 200 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 69 of 237 complaints (29.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 25 | 10.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 8.9% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 5.9% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 3.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 69 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 67 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 32 |
| Fuel System, Other | 13 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
Electrical System: 69; Fuel System, Gasoline: 67; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 32; Fuel System, Other: 13; Exterior Lighting: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Air Bags: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 40 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 65 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 54 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 40; 50,000 to 74,999: 65; 75,000 to 99,999: 54; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (65). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 70 |
| 2011 | 61 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2005: 5; 2006: 6; 2007: 12; 2008: 12; 2009: 24; 2010: 70; 2011: 61; 2012: 9; 2013: 9; 2014: 11; 2015: 7; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 25 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10185963 · 2007-03-23 (March 23, 2007)
I STARTED NOTICING THAT MY GAS NEEDLE WOULD FLOAT AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME I STOPPED ONE DAY TO FILL THE GAS TANK THINKING I WAS ON EMPTY. AS I PULLED OFF THE NEEDLE WENT TO E AGAIN AFTER STOPPING ON FULL BEFORE I TURNED ON THE ENGINE. A GENTLEMAN AT THE GAS STATION KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY CAR AS HE WAS DRIVING A CHEVROLET PICKUP AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON THING WITH CHEVROLETS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE GAS GAUGE WIRE. I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO FIND OUT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10185963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233702 · 2008-07-09 (July 9, 2008)
THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE TRUE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. AFTER TALKING WITH CHEVROLET OWNERS AND DOING RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME. THE GAS GAUGE INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS EITHER EMPTY AFTER BEING RECENTLY FILLED OR ONLY SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE "E" ON THE GAS GAUGE. IT TAKES ABOUT TWO DAYS OR 12 STATUTORY MILES BEFORE THE GAS GAUGE BEGINS TO DISPLAY AN ACCURATE READING, IF THAT IS EVEN TRUE! ON 30 APRIL 2008, DURING A FAMILY ROAD TRIP, THE GAS GAUGE BEGAN TO DISPLAY THAT THE GAS TA…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184743 · 2007-03-11 (March 11, 2007)
2005 TRAILBLAZER. MIDDLE OF HIGH WAY ENGINE STOPPED AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT CRAZY. SOME TIME LATER IGNITION KEY WORKED AGAIN. I CHANGED BATTERY BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO START THE ENGINE, SOMETIMES IS WORK AND SOMETIMES ID DOESN'T. THE DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS FEE MY CAR IS 46000 OUT OF WARRANTY AND AS I CHECK INTERNET FORUM SOME PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME TROUBLE AND DEALER COVERED THE MONEY HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY WITH THE ENGINE STOPPING IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY!!!!!!!! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,999 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206809 · 2007-10-24 (October 24, 2007)
GAS GAUGE FAILED AT 40,000 MILES. THE NEEDLE WILL NOT MOVE OFF OF "E". FOR A SHORT TIME IT WOULD ACTUALLY READ 1/4 FULL WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL NOW IT DOESN'T MOVE. THE WARNING DING GOES OFF PERIODICALLY. IN ADDITION TO THE GAS GAUGE PROBLEM THE BLOWER ON THE HEATER/AC NO LONGER WORKS ON THE HIGH SETTING. THIS CAR IS BARELY TWO YEARS OLD, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR POOR QUALITY IN AMERICAN MADE CAR'S! OF COURSE THESE ITEMS FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. AT 15,000 MILES THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT CONTROLS THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. ENGAG…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165615 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTERWARD, THE ENGINE EASILY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 09/12/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329228 · 2010-05-06 (May 6, 2010)
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER HAS STOPPED WORKING. IT HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I FILLED THE GAS TANK. ONCE I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE FUEL NEEDLE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE. NOW IT STAYS ON EMPTY & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I HAD A REPORT RUN ON MY VEHICLE & FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR CONNECTION IS BAD OR NEEDS REPLACED THIS IS A CONCERN BECAUSE I HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN & TO DRIVE IT COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, STALLING, OR BEING REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10329228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171417 · 2006-10-20 (October 20, 2006)
ON SEPTEMBER 28TH 2006 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT DOWN THE ROAD BETWEEN 55 AND 60 MPH. IT HAD STARTED RAINING ABOUT 5 MINUTES EARLIER. I STARTED UP THE HILL AND WAS APPROACHING THE OTHER ROAD I NEEDED TO TURN ON AND GENTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES. AS SOON AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND GET THE VEHICLE BACK INTO CONTROL BUT HAD NO LUCK. I THEN CROSSED THE CENTER LINE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE GUARD RAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER I HIT THE GUARD RAIL I BOUNCED OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,866 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193946 · 2007-06-21 (June 21, 2007)
BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT ON 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT HAVE FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS SINCE LEASING THIS NEW CAR ON 9/15/2004. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 6/15/2006, WHEN THE PASSENGER BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND WAS NOTICED BY A POLICE OFFICER WHO GAVE AN INFORMAL WARNING. IT WAS REPAIRED ON 6/16/2007 BY THE DEALER WHO IS NOW OUT OF BUSINESS. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED TODAY, JUNE 21, 2007 WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND WAS NOTICED BY ANOTHER DRIVER. IT WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TOMORROW.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202126 · 2007-09-06 (September 6, 2007)
I PARKED THE 2005 TRAILBLAZER IN THE GARAGE AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO PICK UP A NEIGHBORS CHILD. TWO HOURS LATER WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR TO TAKE THE CHILD HOME, MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED ( IT COULD BE TURNED AND TURN THE WHEELS) TRANS WAS LOCKED. I READ ON ONLINE FORUMS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS, ONE GUY SAID THAT HE WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK ON HIS SHIFTER AND TURN THE KEY AT THE SAME TIME. THIS DID NOT WORK FOR ME AS THE TRANS SHIFTER WAS LOCKED. RESULT, TOW, AND REPLACE SWITCH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10202126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10368062 · 2010-11-28 (November 28, 2010)
I HAVE AN 05 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 4.2L WITH 90000 MILES AND LAST MARCH THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING BUT NOT BEFORE WE RAN OUT OF FUEL 2 TIMES NOT KNOWING THAT THE GAUGE WAS GIVING A FALSE READING.THE OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE ON A BUSY STREET. VERY SCARY WHEN YOU HAVE THREE INNOCENT LITTLE GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 3 THAT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. FROM DOING MY RESEARCH I SEE THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND A DANGEROUS ONE AT THAT BECAUSE WHEN THE TRUCK STOPS RUNNING YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BREAKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140521 · 2005-10-23 (October 23, 2005)
BRAND NEW 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER TRANSMISSION WONT DOWNSHIFT BACK INTO LOW GEAR UPON COMING TO A STOP. DEALER SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED (AT 600 MILES) BY REPLACING A SENSOR. IT HAS JUST NOW STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN (AT 2,100 MILES). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276331 · 2009-07-10 (July 10, 2009)
I HAVE A 2005 TRAILBLAZER EXT PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 05. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR HAD REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON THEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. IT STARTED BACK UP AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD BUT HAD TO ENDURE THIS THE ENTIRE TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS I WAS TOLD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AFTER HAVING THAT REPAIRED I DROVE HOME AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN THEY NOTIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,186 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276331 at NHTSA ↗