Check a VIN

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical complaints

Page 5 of 22: complaints 101 to 130 of 627, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Oct 19, 2012 · Electrical · 75,476 miles · KS

After driving my ls trailblazer to the store, I got back in to notice the speedometer was no longer resting at "0". This was before I even started the vehicle. It was sitting at the "55" point! Upon starting the vehicle, the gauge did not move back to zero. So as I drove away, going no more than 10mph, the gauge suggested I was going 65! I was scared driving home because I did not know my exact speed. Upon getting home and shutting off the vehicle, I noticed the gauge rested at the "50" point. So I turned on the vehicle, then quickly turned it off. The speedometer was now resting at "45". I continued to quickly start and then shut off the vehicle, eventually working the gauge back down to zero. But this does not seem like the right thing to do. There is obviously something wrong. In the past, I have had smaller scale incidents with the tachometer gauge. It would zero itself at 1 or 2 rpms, thus indicating my engine was revving higher than it actually was. Moreover, a couple times my fuel gauge was pointing outside of the e to f range! There is something seriously wrong with the electrical system. Gm, you need to recall this and fix it please.

Filed Sep 17, 2012 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · KY

While taking my girls to school my speedometer reading was 50mph faster than I was actually going and my tact was not registering at all. When I stopped the car I turned engine off and restarted the car and neither gauge works at all and hasn't in over a year. I took the vehicle to my local dealership and they want 800.00 to fix it and said it was a malfunction in the cluster and I have checked and it is a severe problem with this make and model. I have been driving without these gauges working and judge my speed with the traffic, but I am a single mom with limited resources and purchased a gm vehicle because of the safety reports. I feel that with all of the other same complaints does it take a loss of life to get this issue resolved.

Filed Jul 23, 2012 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway with my family the speedometer and tach stopped working. We have been calling gm to find a solution with no results. I have come to realize that I am one of many with this same issue with their 2004 trailblazer. We cannot understand how gm can say that this is not a safety issue when this puts our children and families in danger when ever they are in a vehicle that is not producing accurate feedback concerning our speed and performance of the vehicle.

Filed Jul 17, 2012 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · PA

I have the same problem that an earlier blogger as, all my gauges are stuck, the speedometer is stuck, the oil gauge stuck, gas gauge stuck, I think gm needs to take control of their problem and correct it, not just say it's not a problem they will not fix. There needs to be a recall for this problem pin the trailblazer trucks.

Filed Jul 2, 2012 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · PA

Love the vehicle except the fact all my gauges stick.... Gm had told me this has to be safety issue in order to be recalled... I'm pretty sure not knowing how fast I am going on the highway is a safety issue... Especially with little children in the car. This is unacceptable. I refuse to pay for a defect that is happening in many gm vehicles... If I can find all the complaints I'm sure gm can as well. How do we get gm to fix these problems and try to keep customers????

Filed Jun 5, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 79,548 miles · OH

I have a 2004 chevy trailblazer and the cluster is going bad . Finding out that I'm not the only one that has this problem . I had the same problem with my chevy avalanche and it was recalled . I think that this a problem while driving . I think someone should do something before someone gets hurt. Because the gauges go out the on and while driving. It could hurt a young driver that doesn't what to do. Gm knows the problem but will not do anything about it . It the same problem that they did a recall on with the trucks. So I think they should fix this problem. So could you please help before someone gets hurt bad over this problem. Thank you please help!

Filed May 25, 2012 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · NH

This issue needs to be addressed, my speedometer and trans meter on left of speedometer started showing my chevrolet speed was 80 miles an hour even in park. Then while I drive it will move to 100 miles an hour while I'm driving 35, and it moves up and down depending on my speed. Some times it will work other times it will not show the correct speed, or acceleration on trans meter to the left of speedometer. I have went online and seen 1000's of people saying the same thing at the same miles of the chevrolet. 70,000-90,000 most are around 80,000. Shouldn't this have been recalled years ago? And why have this issue been ignored for so long?

Filed Apr 27, 2012 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. While traveling at various speeds, the contact noticed that all of the gauges on the instrument panel failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 101,000 and the failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2012 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact stated that the digital instrument panel failed. The contact was unable to read the speed traveled, mileage or fuel levels. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the instrument panel was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 73,000.

Filed Mar 30, 2012 · Electrical, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · KY

Fuel gauge has been fluctuating wildly for a couple of months, generally reading empty (even after fill up) but occasionally full (when a fill up is needed). Dealer said fuel gauge sensor was bad & that it would be approx $900 to fix. Looking into the problem online I see there are thousands of people with the same problem.

Filed Mar 22, 2012 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · AL

The stepper motors in the instrument cluster have failed. This is an extremely common problem and people are now making a living off of charging for the repairs because gm is refusing to issue a recall.

Filed Mar 14, 2012 · Electrical, Visibility · OH

The driver's side window relay switch is bad. I have had several quotes from dealerships and looks like the cost is around $400.00. (for them to replace and reprogram). There is a huge safety issue if you cannot roll down your window on the driver's side and roll down and lock or unlock any of the doors or windows from the driver's side as well. I have read many complaints on various websites from consumers with the same problem. With the majority of these switches going bad, they need to recall this, as it is very costly andnot at all safe. Especially if an officer needs to approach you and you have to open your door first. That could lead to an unsafe incident toward yourself as well as any law enforcement agent. If you can please address this issue, it would be greatly appreciated. I have researched any recall on this and have not had any luck. Thank you for your time in addressing this issue.

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Electrical · IL

One day when I was driving I stopped my vehicle and the speedometer read 60 MPH at a standstill. As I continued to accelerate it increased until it reached well past 120 MPH. Each time the vehicle is stopped the speedometer sometimes goes back but never to 0. The RPM does not function at all, and not sure when that stopped working. The speedometer did fix itself and then started again a month later. The second time is when the problem started with the RPM not functioning. I have seen multiple incidents with people complaining of these same issues and have saved the issues. I contacted the dealer and they are stating that this is not a manufacturers defect and stated it is $300 to replace a "internal fault in the dash cluster." this is what I was told by someone in the service department at a chevrolet dealership.

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · KS

The speedometer in my 2004 trailblazer regularly becomes stuck while I'm driving.

Filed Feb 28, 2012 · Electrical · MO

Speedometer and tach works erratically. Speedometer works approx. 25% of the time.

Filed Feb 28, 2012 · Electrical · MD

Instrument panel stopped working. First the tachometer - then the speedometer.

Filed Feb 25, 2012 · Electrical · PA

Instrument panel gauges malfunction and show improper readings. For instance tachometer shows 5000 RPM at idle. Alternator gauge is off the scale. Temperature gauge is also showing false reading. Oil pressure gauge is also false. Incident date is approximate. Individual gauges failed over time.

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · MA

Speedometer does not register proper speed. Reads at 0 MPH when going 65mph or any other MPH for that matter. At no time is the speedometer ever accurate.

Filed Jan 29, 2012 · Electrical · 53,000 miles · NY

My 2004 chevrolet trailblazer 4x4 v6 is experiencing some instrument panel cluster problems. This is the second time as I had the instrument panel cluster entirely replaced once already. The fist time, the tachometer stopped working and the speedometer malfunctioned showing incorrect speeds at different times, including showing 80mph when sitting still in the driveway. Now the instrument panel has malfunctioned again. Now my battery gauge, fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, and temp gauge stopped working and and are at zero as if the car is off. Most of my warning lights are on also. The ABS, seatbelt, battery, and parking brake lights stay on. Also, the gear indicator light telling me if I am in p,r,n,d, etc no longer highlights the gear I am in and the cruise control light doesn't come on when I engage the cruise control. However, I would say once out of every 15-20 times I drive the car the instrument panel and gauges work flawlessly. Obviously this time it is not the motors of the gauges that are the problem, but something power and/or electrical. I'm worried about knowing how much gas I have left and, more importantly, what my speed is, whether the engine temp is ok, and whether the oil pressure is normal.

Filed Jan 18, 2012 · Electrical · 48,264 miles · CO

Speedometer gauge, fuel gauge, temp. Guage not working. Only the RPM and temp gauge working at this time.

Filed Jan 17, 2012 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · PA

The speedometer on my 2004 trailblazer operates very erratically. At times it does not work at all at times it registers way slow or way fast. This to me is a major safety issue. If driving on snowy roads you can not tell how fast your wheels are spinning and this could cause loss of control of the vehicle. Or another scenario, traveling on the interstate and the miles per hour is registering between 5 and 10 MPH less that you are actually traveling. This could pose a rear end collision problem as those traveling behind you may not notice that your speed is slower. A properly functioning speedometer is a vital part of being able to drive the vehicle in a safe manner, not only for your safety but for those around you. In searching the internet this seems to be more of a "common" problem than what one might realize. General motors should be held accountable for this problem, as a properly functioning speedometer is an important safety feature. The same as brakes failure, throttle sticking, fire hazard or any other myriad of items on a vehicle are related to the proper and safe operation beyond the operators control. Please look into this. Thank you

Filed Jan 10, 2012 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. While at a stop light, the contact noticed the speedometer was providing a speed reading of 60 MPH. The reading of the other gauges on the instrument panel also fluctuated erratically. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 02/14/12*lj updated 02/17/12

Filed Jan 10, 2012 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact noticed that the instrument panel readings began to fluctuate erratically. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2012 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact stated that all of the instrument panel gauges failed. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told there were no recalls for the failure and that entire instrument panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.

Filed Jan 1, 2012 · Electrical · TN

My 2004 chevy trailblazer instrument gauges started going haywire. Everything that I have read says the whole panel needs replaced. The oil, battery, temp and gas clusters stopped working then all of a sudden while driving down the road start working again. Then the speedometer and tach stopped and started and now nothing is coming on. I have no idea how much fuel that I have and all of the warning lights are all lit up. Waiting for the whole thing to blow. I currently have it at a gm dealer and they said that it will cost me 500 bucks to replace the panel. I told them to go ahead because I don't feel safe driving like that. I have to have this vehicle to work and I want gm to pay for this to be fixed. Major safety concern for me!

Filed Dec 28, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · NY

When I first purchased this vehicle I thought I had a great SUV. Little did I know that within the first month of owning it did I make a huge mistake. I am a single mother of 2 kids. I checked out the crash ratings and they were great!! I liked everything about my tb. Looking back, after the 4th problem within that first month. I should have ran away screaming from it, as I do now daily. The lights flicker when you drive at night. The headlights constantly go out. The check gauges light is constantly coming on. The oil pressure gauge drops for no apparent reason. The tach goes crazy. The "bell" for the lights (when you have the keys out and the lights are still on, or when you have the keys in and the drivers door open) works when it wants to. The battery gauge works when it feels like it. The gas gauge hasn't had a problem lately. I am wondering...doesn't all of that constitute as a safety problem?? I have had the lights looked at and am told there isn't anything that can be done..really?? I am going to have to have the gauges looked at now and from what I see it will cost about $600-$800. Where other chevy vehicles have had this covered under a recall. There are many other problems I've had, the o2 sensor, temp gauge, other lighting issues that I have taken care of but this is getting to be a bit much. I see many others have had this problem. It can't be from normal wear on the vehicle. Please do something about this before someone's family really gets hurt, if they haven't already.

Filed Dec 17, 2011 · Electrical · 55,380 miles · WV

Speedometer said I was doing 100 miles a hour tack does not work gas hand goes way pass full and when I stop and put $25 of gas in you know it is not full so not for sure if oil pressure & temp gauge is right but it is not over heating guess I will know when steam comes out from under the hood gm recall some of the cluster why not the trailblazer.

Filed Dec 14, 2011 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · HI

Bought vehicle used in 2005, had 56,000 miles on it at the time. At 76,000 miles the speedometer went out completely had to be replaced. Replaced the speedometer $500.00 cost. In 2007, the dashboard and all the gauges started going crazy, had it checked at a chevy dealer they confirmed it was an electrical problem that was not covered under my warranty and was gonna cost way to much to fix. Later in 2009 the alarm system decided it wouldn't work anymore, or it would set itself. (got locked in the car for at least 20 minutes or more, wouldn't start either to reset the process), the remote key wouldn't work as well. Had it inspected again, full diagnostic done by the chevy dealer & also by firestone, every issue that the car has is related to the electrical system failing constantly. Headlights go off and on when they feel like it, hit them they come back on sometimes, tail lights have gone out, no need to replace bulbs that is not the issue. Full diagnostic cost money, I have called the better business bureau to see what I could do to make chevy pay for this disfunctioning vehicle but, of course it is a bunch of red tape and political bull crap. I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone too much money will be lost and still no results. Currently my vehicle has over 100,000 miles on it and the gauges still go out every now and then, the headlights still go out and the alarm still sets itself when it feels like it. I pray over this vehicle everytime I get in it.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Electrical · 179,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact was driving 75 MPH when the instrument panel gauges failed to provide accurate readings. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who confirmed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 179,000 and the current mileage was 179,500.

Filed Nov 28, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 76,000 miles · FL

I have a 2004 chevy trailblazer; while driving on the highway; all gauges, lights, etc. Abruptly stopped working and continue to not work. I researched on line and found it could be what is called the "cluster board". I took my vehicle to a local chevy dealer in daytona beach fl. They insisted it was the ignition switch. They replaced that mechanism for just under $300. The following week (this occurred in 2010); the exact same situation recurred; so I brought it back to the dealer and they then agreed it was the cluster board which would now cost me close to $700.00. In order to avoid being ripped off to the tune of almost $1k; I purchased a GPS unit so I could at least monitor my speed. The speed/rpms never register correctly; however, so far the other gauges seems to be ok (except for the oil pressure, it goes out of whack frequently so I just bring it in quickly to make sure I have sufficient oil and that it's clear/clean). Most recently my headlights just go out without warning; I am able to use the high beams, but of course that puts me in jeopardy of getting a ticket. There are so many complaints on the 2004 chevy trailblazer - I do not understand why there has not been a recall on the cluster board and the electrical issues (lighting). I cannot afford to have all the repairs completed and would like to see chevrolet take on some responsibility for the cost of these flaws in the manufacturing of this vehicle.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history