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KLUNK
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2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer has 1,731 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (787 complaints) and electrical (728 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Trailblazer, consider the 2025 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200226150347323306
200325839469370130
20041572283928069
20051432772878746
20061362234180443
2007861032334914
2008361594419
2009112141
20215726234330
20223211122026
2023101212189
202484893
202531735

By Category

Engine
787
Electrical
728
Body
143
Transmission
46
Brakes
27

By Severity

1
846
2
785
3
6
4
93
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to operate as needed and the vehicle nearly crashed. Additionally, the contact reported that the rear of the vehicle lifted significantly and made a popping sound while driving. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with brake line failures, ABS malfunction, and severe structural deterioration of the undercarriage and the sub frame. The contact had recently purchased the vehicle and was informed that the vehicle was in good condition. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,124.

3mo ago
Engine 2

Fuel gauge intermittently reports empty when vehicle was just fully filled with fuel

5mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wipers activated unintendedly, and the washer fluid was continuously sprayed on the windshield. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with the windshield wiper control module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V046000 (Visibility), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was filed, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 151,000.

7mo ago
Electrical 4

My airbags didn’t go off in crash

13mo ago
Electrical 4

The airbags failed to deploy In a significant collision where hood, radiator, grill/number and both headlights were damaged. GM has been contacted and fail and refuse to do an inspection stating the issue is time barred to 10 years to original warranty of vehicle and are failing to acknowledge manufacturer defect or issue a recall. There were no warning signs/lights prior to notify that the airbags would fail to deploy in an accident. The vehicle has not inspected, even a request has been made on multiple occasions, with getting the runaround and claim closed. The lack of safety puts other drivers/owners of the 2005 Trailblazer and or similar vehicles at risk, at time they will need it the most to find out airbags are defective and will not work. Injuries and lives are at risk only for GM to run a cover up and not stand up to do what is right. Police report number [XXX] Adams Co Sheriff's Office, could not upload. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

28mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

32mo ago
Electrical 2

FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. NOW, THEY ARE MOSTLY OFF WHICH MEANS I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT ANYMORE UNLESS I WANT TO BLIND PEOPLE OR GET STOPPED. I HAVE CHANGED HEADLAMPS, RELAYS AND FUSES TO NO AVAIL. NOW, I SEE THAT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SUV HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR MODEL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN WE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. IF YOU WILL ISSUE A RECALL FOR ONE YEAR MODEL HAVING A PARTICULAR ISSUE, WHY WOULD YOU NOT DO THE SAME WITH ALL YEAR MODELS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE? COME ON CHEVROLET AND NHTSA, LET'S GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED TO SAVE SOME LIVES. IT IS VERY SCARY TO BE DRIVING AND HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND A MAJOR PAIN TO HAVE TO BE SURE YOU ARE HOME BY DARK OR NOT BE ABLE TO GO OUT AFTER DARK BECAUSE YOUR HEADLAMPS ARE OR MAY STOP WORKING.

43mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated she fell asleep while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle graced two trees, and crashed into the third tree on the front driver-side bumper. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained a fractured rib on her left side, a lesion on her right leg, and a lesion on her chest and abdomen due to the seat belt. The contact did seek medical attention. The police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The police towed the vehicle to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.

44mo ago
Engine 2

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

49mo ago
Engine 4

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.

53mo ago
Body 1

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

53mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH with a fully loaded pull behind 6X12 U-Haul trailer hitched to the vehicle on the highway, a tractor trailer drove by at 70 MPH, and the wake turbulence from the tractor trailer caused the U-Haul trailer to fishtail, the vehicle and trailer did a 180-degree skid, spun around, and then jackknifed; causing damages to the U-Haul trailer and the vehicle. There were no injuries sustained. The contact was concerned about the safety of the design of the U-Haul trailer. The contact stated that the U-Hauler trailer was not designed with the proper wheel and axle configuration which caused the trailer to be unsafe while driving over bumps or depressions on the roadway. The contact stated that he was advised by the South Carolina State Patrol to file a Collision Report. The contact had not yet contacted U-Haul to report the failure. The vehicle was still drivable and was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 208,000.

53mo ago
Electrical 1

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

60mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

61mo ago
Electrical 2

THE GAUGES DON'T WORK PROPERLY AND WHEN THE GAUGES ARE TAPPED THE TRAILBLAZER STALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY.

67mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

68mo ago
Electrical 1

MOST RECENT, I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT. NOTHING ELSE, JUST THE MAIN HEAD LIGHTS. ALL.OTJER LIGHTS STAY ON. HIGH BEAMS WORK, PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS IS NOT SAFE!!!

68mo ago
Electrical 1

LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF SETTING STILL

69mo ago
Engine 1

FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY CONSTANTLY, EVEN WHERE THERE IS HALF A TANK. ONLY 5-10% OF THE TIME IT SHOWS HOW MUCH FUEL THERE REALLY IS. THIS HAPPENS WHILE TRAVELING AND WHILE STOPPED.

69mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

70mo ago

1731 total

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