When I shift the gear from PARK to DRIVE & step on the GAS, the vehicle hesitates to DRIVE. I have to turn off my vehicle, play with the gear shift, then shift again to get it to move. The other day I put my vehicle in DRIVE and it rolled back and REVERSED. Nobody can figure out what’s wrong with my vehicle. The check engine light comes on then goes off. Nobody can get the problem to duplicate. A ticket to GMC was submitted and from them, my vehicle seems fine on paper. This is a safety hazard. I’ve taken my vehicle to a Chevy dealer and also to a GMC dealer multiple times.
Chevrolet Trailblazer hesitation problems
25 of the 7,174 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Trailblazer describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 37,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 12Check engine light 5Fuel gauge 4Loss of power 2Fire or smoke 2Adaptive cruise 2Wipers 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0171 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine fans were activated however, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the engine thermostat as faulty. The thermostat was replaced, and the failure was remedied. Also, while driving the vehicle would jerk and hesitate while changing gears. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure was a transmission issue. No further information was available. Also, while driving 27 MPH, the service brake system failure" message suddenly displayed, and the brake pedal was hard while pressed. The parking brake was activated. Moments later the message "power steering failure" displayed and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake master cylinder was faulty and needed to be replaced. The brake master cylinder was replaced, and the braking and steering failures were remedied. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,051.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 chevrolet trailblazer. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate, made an abnormal noise, and stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failures continued and there was difficulty shifting gears. The contact was able to drive home. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000. The VIN was invalid.
B lazer hesitates when driving and notice a gas smell when I turn on blazer at the beginning and I noticed a leak inside but was not sure where its coming from. I contacted chevorlet dealer on possible recall they stated its not on there system and I would have to pay for diagnose and because of the mileage maybe they may not be able to fix this. Why would I have to pay for diagnose if its something on their end and its online as a recall on blazers. I think this can be a hazard to be smelling gas that flows in to air system of the blazer while driving.
Starting up my car last wednesday morning,I went to roll my window down on the drivers side and there was a hesitation then it stopped and I smelled something burning.from that point forward I was no longer able to roll my window down or up and lost all functions from that contact pad....in looking thru the varies recalls for this vehicle I noticed the recall for the drivers door module in 2006,2007. If this recall initiated with the 2005 trailblazer in 08/12, why is this model not included in the recall???? Why will I have to pay the $400 in repairs somehow this doesn't seem ethical. Especially if you knew this was happening in the 2005 chevy trailblazer...I am sure I am preaching to the choir but maybe you can provide me with incite as to the logic!!!!!!!!
On november 16,2012 I stopped to get gas. After getting gas my low fuel light was on and the fuel gauge registered as if the vehicle was out of gas. Having known better I started the vehicle which hesitated to start. It finally started but sputtered its way out of the gas station. As I finally cleared the gas station the vehicle stalled and came to a complete stop without any warning and I was hit from behind.
Gas gauge stopped working then would operate intermittently although incorrectly. Researched this issue on the internet and found that this was a common problem for 2005 trailblazers. Contacted dealership and found there is a special "secret" policy covering this problem. I have included the response from the service department: "I hope you are having a great day. I do see that your vehicle does fall under the special policy 10054 which extends the warranty with a 50/50 split until 3/30/2016 or 120,000 miles on the fuel level sensor. If the issue you are experiencing is being caused by the sensor gm would pay for half the repair and you would be responsible for the other 50% of the cost which your portion would be around $200-$250.00. We would have to diagnose the issue first but if the cause is the sensor covered by the special policy you would only owe the aforementioned 50% of the repair. If you would like to set an appointment you can either reply to this email or call us direct at 414‑425‑7180. If you should have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to let me know." they want $99 for a diagnosis to determine if I qualify for a 50/50 split on repairs for their design problem. This is a ripoff.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet trailblazer. The contact stated that the vehicle stability and tire pressure warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact also experienced engine failures as well as the illumination of the check engine warning light that was causing a hesitation in the vehicle. The contact diagnosed and repaired the temperature gauge as well as updated the vehicle software. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 88,500. The VIN was not available.
Fuel gauge drops to empty with low fuel light coming on, no matter how much gas is in vehicle. Sometimes it fluctuates back and forth. Never sure how much gas is in vehicle. Which this creates a big problem since I transport handicap people in my vehicle. Also driver side window operates very slow, sometimes it hesitates on rolling up. I have to let it set for a while, then try rolling it up again. After several times doing this, it has finally rolled up all the way. I think the dealer should fix these problems, without consumer paying for any of it. Especially since these seem to be ongoing problems. I have been lucky reference my door panel hasn't caught fire yet, which could cause a serious traffic accident. Also my slick, skid control lights come on very easily when I take off and stay on till I can shut the car off and restart it, and hope doesn't come back on when I start to drive.
The RPM gauge stopped working today. The car hesitated and is acting not right. I have read of numerous people having the exact same issue. Gm needs to do a full recall on this issue.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
- Risk
- These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
- Remedy
- Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537, or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.
Recall number 03V075000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high speed gear engagement.
- Risk
- If the gear is not engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in "park" and a crash could result without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the transfer case control module calibration to increase gear engagement. Owner notification began november 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 01V334000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles (4 wheel-drive). Some of these vehicles were built with a range shift collar in the transmission transfer case that contains cracks.
- Risk
- This condition could result in a complete fracture of the range shift collar and subsequent loss of vehicle forward and reverse gears, and the inability to maintain "park" position. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash resulting from unintended movement of a parked vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transfer cases and update the control module calibration. Owner notification began september 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 01V283000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Trailblazer hesitation
Which Chevrolet Trailblazer years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (6 complaints), 2002 (5 complaints) and 2004 (4 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history