2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system
  6
• Engine
  3
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  1
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  422%
• 25k–50k
  16%
• 50k–75k
  422%
• 75k–100k
  211%
• 100k–150k
  633%
• 150k+
  16%

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. …

Vehicle's reduced engine power light comes on, and vehicle loses power in dangerous places. Lost of problems consist of several parts having to do with acceleration. This problem happened suddenly, andnis a danger to himan safety because of it happening several times including o n the highway.

While driving on the highway there was a boom under the hood. Two minutes later the car started decreasing power and I had to pull over. Before I could get out to lift the hood, fire was shooting from under neath.

01/27/04,09/28/05,11/18/05 took vehicle in for service engine soon lights, 04/26/06 took vehicle in for metallic rattle sound suspecting heat shield on exhaust manifold. Dealership stated front backing plates were contacting steering knuckle. 04/21/06 began drive from okc, OK to vanouver, washington, midtrip noted same noise. On trip noise became extremely louder. Stopped at cheyenne wy dealership couldn't get appt for several days. Husband removed heat shield in evanston wy on 8/23 and discovered cracked exhaust manifold. 41000 miles on vehicle. 2 dealerships in evanston wy would not touch us for several days. Contacted GM customer assistance who contacted dealership in slc,ut who would look at vehicle. Drove there but because over 36K, warranty did not cover and they would not fix vehicle under warranty and could not fix same day. …

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. …

I own a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT. Took the vehicle in October 2009 for a oil change & a exhaust leak was told the exhaust manifold needed to be replaced, after searching on the internet found out it is a known problem that GM when manufacturing the vehicle used bolts that were to long therefore the exhaust manifold wasn't properly torque/tightened which made the manifold vibrate until it broke and prior to its breaking it leaked the manifold becomes loose and that leads to it cracking. After having the vehicle repaired at the cost of $319.50 & having it back for a month & driving it 3 times my speedometer went haywire registering a sitting still speed of 45 MPH. Once again looked on the internet and found numerous complaints about the instrument panel cluster they have issued recalls for the Chevy trucks and yukon GMC for the same issue but no recall so far about the Trailblazer. …

I own a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT. Took the vehicle in October 2009 for a oil change & a exhaust leak was told the exhaust manifold needed to be replaced, after searching on the internet found out it is a known problem that GM when manufacturing the vehicle used bolts that were to long making the manifold get to hot and therefore leads to it cracking. After having the vehicle repaired at the cost of $319.50 & having it back for a month & driving it 3 times my speedometer went haywire registering a sitting still speed of 45 MPH. Once again looked on the internet and found numerous complaints about the instrument panel cluster they have issued recalls for the Chevy trucks and yukon GMC for the same issue but no recall so far about the Trailblazer. This repair will cost me $516.33, both of these repairs are due to faulty manufacturing & should be listed as a recall. …

Starting about a few weeks ago my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer EXT has reeked of unspent gasoline, and this smell consumes the entire interior and exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle also has small leak below reservoir which appears to be leaking unspent fuel. Chevy offered a "special coverage" to correct this issue (corrosion on top of fuel tank reservoir), however it only covers vehicles under 10 years of age and under 120K miles. My vehicle is under that mileage, however this repair will not be covered due to age of vehicle (mine was assembled in March). This issue is a major safety concern, as any small spark could cause this vehicle to ignite. I cannot continue to drive my vehicle, and feel this needs to be rectified before it causes catastrophic loss (either building or personal).

Not sure what to file this under, so I put it under unknown and other. About 4 months ago my service engine soon light came on. It stayed on for a few days then went off, a few days later it was back on, then a few days later went off, then it came on for a longer period of time and do the same thing, eventually it stayed on. Took it to the Chevy dealership where I bought it and they said the gas tank had a crack in it and needed to be replaced. Said it was probably from the gas nozzle hitting the tank when filling it up. Don't see how that is possible, when it is only me or my husband filling it up & how hard would you have to hit it for it to crack? Had it replaced the next month. Now the service engine soon light is doing the same thing. Haven't taken it back in yet.

Engine complaints in other Trailblazer EXT years