2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 1,466 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (35% of complaints); the 2003 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1,466 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a second vehicle. During the crash, no air bags in the vehicle deployed. The contact sustained neck, shoulders, and back injuries and was transported to the local hospital. A Police report was filed at the scene but was not available. The vehicle was towed to a local towing yard. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2026
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat belt pretensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,228.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2023
“MY 15 YR OLD DRIVER IN TRAINING,, was leaving town with myself and her father the engine just stopped running causing us to lose all movement of car had to coast to the side of highway { busy with semis} had to call tow truck to come get it ,, it wouldn't start after trying a few times . and also the seat belts lock tight and will not give when pulled on them leaving you strapped tight in the seat you have to unhook them to release them .. very uncomfortable when you traveling”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that after his wife had parked the vehicle at a high school parking lot, a passerby heard a clicking noise and saw smoke coming from the vehicle before the vehicle caught-on fire. The fire started in the engine compartment. The fire department was contacted and arrived and extinguished the fire. The contact was unaware if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a holding lot. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 63,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2022
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2021
“My husband was entering the highway and upon acceleration from roughly 35mph to roughly around 50mph (while taking the entrance slight right) all of the air bags deployed”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2021
“My lights come on and turns off at night sometimes and now My right low beams stopped working. I noticed when I was getting in my car at night.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2021
“The gauges don't work properly and when the gauges are tapped the trailblazer stalls. The vehicle was in motion on a highway.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2021
“I own a 2005 chevrolet trailblazer (bought new) with approximately 79,000 miles. The fuel gauge light is illuminated indicating I am low on fuel however my gas tank is full. I noticed the problem after filling my tank (no light on at the time). After filling the tank, the fuel light came on and the gas gauge bounced back and forth from quarter tank to half tank and now the light stays on with gauge showing empty. I would appreciate any help you can give or recommend any possible action to take.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2020
“While driving down the interstate at night my dim lights went completely out and would not come back on. I had to drive the remainder of the way with my bright lights blinding cars in front of me and in coming. Since the first incident this has continued to happen.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 59 of these complaints and injuries in 59 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Trailblazer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
NHTSA has 1,466 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The most complained-about area is electrical system (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,718 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.