Check a VIN

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer: headlights failing or too dim

100 of the 1,081 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints
100
of this car's complaints
9%
typical repair cost reported
$700
typical mileage
85,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 26 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 8, 2022 · Lights · 189,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights became inoperable. After a while, the headlights became operational. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Lights · 146,577 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the low beam headlights went out without warning. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure; however, they replaced the front panel switch and connector. The failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 146,577.

Filed Mar 30, 2019 · Lights · 130,000 miles · NY

All lights stopped working, except when switching to high beams. Front lights and brake lights do not work. When using the high beams, the front lights operate on high only. The car cannot be safely driven at night.

Filed Aug 12, 2018 · Lights · 170,000 miles · NY

Driving conditions dark, 11pm, unlit, stars visible paved country road with hills, curves and 2-5 foot ditches. Weather wet but drying. Visibility good. Vehicle in motion near legal speed limit 80 km/hr. Occasional oncoming traffic, so occasionally switching between low and high beams. Noticed low beam headlights flickered occasionally. Effect was only visible after oncoming traffic had passed, before switching back to high beam headlights. I had attributed the effect to my eyes adjusting after the oncoming headlights. On one occasion, after the oncoming vehicle had passed, I switched back to low beam setting, but the low beam headlights were not illuminating the road at all. All I could see was a small amount of yellowish light off to the sides of the vehicle from the other running lights, including yellow lights on the side-view mirrors. There was insufficient light to see any distance down the road, so I ceased to depress the accelerator pedal, and covered the brake applying gentle braking. I still had my fingers on the lever and was able to switch back to high beams after several seconds. Fortunately the high beams still worked. I brought the vehicle to a stop at the next available safe opportunity, to assess what had happened. All other lights, including the fog lights were working. I drove at reduced speed alternately using the fog lights and high beams. The low beams occasionally started working again. By the time I was home, they had ceased to work. I replaced the gm hdm module, and the low beams worked for a year or so until that module failed. There is a recall to replace gm hdm 15016745 with gm hdm 13506836 but the recall apparently does not apply to my 2004 model year. The federal safety agency recall no. : 15v‑519 manufacturer recall no. : 14291 I consider this to have been a severe life threatening event.

Filed Aug 8, 2018 · Lights · 160,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. While operating the vehicle, the low beam headlights and the brake lights randomly stopped illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the light bulbs, circuit boards, and fuses; however, the failures continued. When replacing the brake lights, the bulbs melted into the circuit board. The local dealer was not notified of the failures. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed May 6, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 104,060 miles · MA

The low beam headlights burn out while driving the vehicle. This has happened 3 times in the last 6 months. All 3 times both low beam bulbs burn out at the same exact time while traveling on a rural road in nh..

Filed May 12, 2017 · Lights · 162,500 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving 30 MPH, the headlights failed and independently turned off without warning. The contact was able to turn the headlights back on, but the failure recurred several more times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 162,500.

Filed Oct 21, 2016 · Lights · GA

On june 11 2016 at 5:00am while driving my headlights went out, I used my high beam to return home from by pass highway 15miles. Once home tried the manual switch to see if lights would come on . No low beam but high beam worked. Couple of days later at dealership they could not find anything. I notice on occasion the low beams were not on when driving with the daylight running lights when I pull behind a car I would switch to high beam which did work. On 18oct 2016 time 7:45 the lights low beam did not come on when starting my truck. I tried the high beam and it worked. Had to drive 10 miles on city street to get home on high beam. After getting home I played with switch switching from manually to running the low beam came on afte I turned the car off and back on with light on the manually position. Please help dealer can't find the issue or duplicate it neither can I.. I travel alone and female I can't have this happening. I have to get repaired. On.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · TX

3rd time replacing low beam light only high beam works now low beam out again

Filed May 22, 2016 · Lights · 103,000 miles · TX

Low beam head lights turn off while vehicle in motion on city street. High beam head lights still work. Turn motor off and let vehicle set for a few minutes, then low beam head lights will work again.

Filed Apr 29, 2016 · Lights · 153,000 miles · NC

As I'm driving down the highway I noticed that my headlights would blink. Then another time they keep cutting on and off. So the other day as I was driving they cut off and would never cut back on even when I would turn the knob for them to cut back on. I would have to cut on my bright lights in order to see.

Filed Mar 26, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

Driving on hwy 178 at about 9 pm and the front head lights and turned completely off. I moved light switch on and off and my light would not go back no on.....also while driving the kern canyon hwy 178 taking the curves my ingine shut off and steering and brakes locked up this has happened several time while driving at 20 mile speed.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: turn signalReported May 5, 2005 · 286,478 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the driver wishing to signal a turn by moving the directional signal lever, (up or down) may cause the front marker/turn lights and rear turn lights to flash in a manner similar to hazard warning, rather than flashing on the desired side only.
Risk
The driver may not be able to clearly signal their intentions to turn, change travel lanes, or potentially warn others of an impaired vehicle operating condition increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the suspect flasher modules with a new flasher module designed with sealed relays and more durable contact material inside of the relays free of charge. The recall began on august 4, 2005. Isuzu began mailing owner letters on august 4, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, and oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.

Recall number 05V198000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lightsReported November 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative.
Risk
An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on november 22, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 04V527000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlights

Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

100 of 1,081 owner complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer (9%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2005.

How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

There are 2 recalls and 26 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Fuel gauge 98Check engine light 62Fuel smell 36Stalling 34No deployment 28Fire or smoke 27Fuel leak 26Loss of power 18ABS 17Adaptive cruise 14Warning lights 11Fuel pump 10Wipers 10Won't start 10Tire blowout 9Transmission failure 8Airbag light 7Ball joint 7Grinding brakes 7Door locks 7Slipping 7Brake failure 6Knocking 5Overheating 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

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