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2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXTProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 261 owner complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Trailblazer EXT median · #2 of 4 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints26115 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage63kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 17, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT has problems

261 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system1453
Fuel system, gasoline290
Power train171
Engine and engine cooling162
Exterior lighting130
Fuel/propulsion system90
Vehicle speed control90
Fuel system, other80
Equipment81
13 other systems469

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 04V-527 · Nov 1, 2004 · 871,473 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

63kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 122 electrical system complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles110under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Electrical system

16 owners mentioned a cost

$525median

Middle half: $295 – $700

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Trailblazer EXT year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Trailblazer EXT median. How we score

'02'03'04'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT safety ratings

2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE LAMP FAILUREEA04021 · closed Nov 4, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-527
  2. FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINEEA07009 · closed Aug 28, 2008
    No recall
  3. Loss of HeadlightsRQ17002 · closed Mar 29, 2021
    No recall
In owners' words

What Trailblazer EXT owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

INSTRUMENTAL PANEL/ GAGE CLUSTER. ALL GAGES CONTINUE TO FAIL SPIKING ALL OVER THE PLACE PRIOR TO FAILING. AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK ON THEN OFF RANDOMLY
Complaint 11056230 · Dec 23, 2017 · 157,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL…
Complaint 10819715 · Jan 12, 2016 · 98,000 miles
WHEN HAD THE CRASH WHICH WAS VERY HARD LOUD AND SCARY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY NOR DID THE AIR BAGS ON THE SIDE OF SEAT. THE CRASH WAS VERY SERIOUS AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND POWERTRAIN TO WINDOWS. *TR
Complaint 10626575 · Aug 20, 2014 · 47,000 miles

Own a 2004 Trailblazer EXT?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.