Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Full destruction because of fire I was on the way back from a long trip in southern chile (up to ushuaia) over the "carretera austral" and, after about 9'000 km drive without any problem, I saw a white smoke back my vehicle. Oil pressure: normal, motor temperature: normal. This meant immediate stop along the "ruta 40 norte" in argentina (about 100 km north of bariloche, on the way to neuqu). While stopping, I felt the brake pedal just going without immediate reaction but the pression came back. While bringing the gear shift to position parking, I did not feel any sensation, as if it would have no connection; the automatic door blocker connected to the gear shift did not work too, so that we had to unlock the doors manually. After having disconnected the engine, I saw white smoke coming out from the upper left corner of the motor. …
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 cluster would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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.
I have a 2004 Trailblazer with the same problems with the recall that is going on with GM. The instrument cluster is doing the same exact thing as the tahoe, avalanche, and I forgot what the other the car was. The fuel, water, and battery gauges, the airbag light, a long with the battery light stays on. Went to the dealership to find out why there wasn't a recall and they couldn't give me a answer. I feel that if GM is having the same problems with the other cars and haven't look to see if there is complaints on these, why haven't they added them to the recalls. Paying for the repairs and haven't to wait for GM to send out a recall on a VIN type specific car is ridiculous. If they are having the same exact problem they need to check the other cars. …
We have a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, that originally began with the speedometer appearing to be stuck for a few days, would gradually decrease. Followed by the RPM having the same problem. Today, 11/28/08, all gauges lit up, warning bells rang, and then the entire instrument panel shut down. There was a recall for the silverado for the same year, but Trailblazer owners are required to pay the repair bill for a faulty instrument panel. Being unable to know your speed, how much gas you have, or if your running low on vital fluids seems to be pretty dangerous to me. The fact that GM will repair the silverado, but not the Trailblazer despite the fact that they are both in the "truck" category is ridiculous. …
Driving home from vacation on the highway in a snowstorm, we realized the tachometer was no longer showing the correct rpms. It was stuck around 4000 while we were going less than that. A little while later we noticed that while we were slowing down for a red light and traveling probably 10 MPH the speedometer was showing 60 MPH. We quickly stopped for gas, thinking maybe those gauges were malfunctioning as well, but they weren't. When we accelerated again, the speedometer raised from 60 to eventually over 120 MPH. Each time we slowed down the needle stuck, then when we accelerated it went higher. While we were driving in the snowstorm on the highway, we think we were traveling about 20 to 30 MPH, but the speedometer was still over 120 MPH. This was scary because under normal driving conditions we would have been able to judge our speed, but in the snow it was hard to do so. …
Check engine light - for over one year now, and 4 various mechanics, no once can figure out why my check engine light comes on. I have replaced two air sensors (actually 3 - one was bad)... I have spent close to $1,000 to get this fixed - but the dam light continues to go on (intermittently) sometimes it's on for a month - off a day - on two weeks - there is no pattern. The last time the light came on, my car began stalling in traffic and stop signs. Last mechanic spent 5 hours tracing all the codes back - nothing. Next day had another mechanic check codes and the engine running cool as well as a few others showed up. If no one can figure this out - where is the recourse. I feel like I am being scammed over and over. I stalled on rt. 24 slowing down in traffic - and was almost hit by a box truck because I just sat there. …
This vehicle had been parked in the driveway from 7:45 pm, (August 10, 2011). I was awakened at approx. 3:55 am on 8-10-2011 by hearing a muffled boom. At 4:00 am (aug. 11, 2011) I heard a loud bang type noise. I immediately got up and went to investigate. I went outside and found my 2004 Trailblazer (EXT) on fire from the engine bay and just beginning to flame inside the vehicle's passenger compartment at the dashboard..it only took minutes before the vehicle was fully involved. The fire began in the engine bay. The fire marshall report is still pending and I was informed it would take 6 to 8 weeks before it was available. Approx. Two to three months prior, I took the vehicle to a repair garage to fix the low beam headlights (they had failed and changing the bulbs was no help. It turned out that it was a failed relay, which was replaced. …
All gauges on control panel not working, but all service lights come on check engine, ABS seat belt, reduce power, battery lights. Speed and fuel are impossible to know as well as warnings to observe from lights. 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, speedometer will show a faster speed than you moving or will go to 0 while on the freeway. The tach has the same problem. This is a serious safety issue and it should be recalled now. I heard that they had the same issue on pick-ups and they were recalled. Most instrument backlights have burned out preventing the speedometer and other gauges from being seen at night. Very dangerous. Quick search on internet results in a severe epidemic of this problem with all GM SUV's. A class action lawsuit resulted in a nationwide recall for this problem for all similar vehicles but not the Chevy Trailblazer or GMC envoy. This seems to be a criminal act by GM. …
I own a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer that I purchased new in 2004. In 2007, the instrument cluster began to malfunction exhibiting erratic function. I took it to my local dealer where I purchased the vehicle and it was replaced under the warranty. Now, here it is, 2/2010 and the cluster is doing the very same thing the original defective cluster was doing. I have gone online and read where many, many owners of Chevy products from 2003 on are having these comparable issues and that Chevy has some sort of extended warranty they are offering for many GM products with these defective clusters. I am disgusted by the fact that, from what I have read online, Trailblazer owners have been excluded from this extended warranty due to an inadequate number of complaints necessary to warrant coverage. …
Electrical complaints in other Trailblazer EXT years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT?
NHTSA has 145 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, 56% of the model year's 261 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (50 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 5 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.