Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Ran out of fuel stuck on highway, fuel gauge anomaly, I see that this is a common problem for GM SUV vehicles form 2006-2009, can put family is a dangerous situation with children I car at a remote location. Scary....please help us. [redacted]
" Takata recall" GM said my recall had expired on the fuel sensor in 2015..I had it replace twice...2007 and 2009...so many recalls could not remember until going through files and found I did have these replaced
The air conditioning on my 2006 Chevy Trailblazer EXT stopped working. The problem was the blower motor resistor module and resistor module connector. The parts had melted together, causing the wires to become loose at the connection. Apparently this is a common problem with my Chevy model. There are many online postings indicating that the problem could cause a fire. Chevrolet company refused to even look at my vehicle until I paid a $110.00 diagnostic fee. The service technician immediately knew what the problem was and explained that it was a common problem with my model and the tahoe. The gas gauge also stopped working recently which I was told by the technician that it too was a common problem. There are numerous complaints on these parts as well as the brake light circuit boards, which also went out on my vehicle. The technician once again said that it was a common problem. …
The issues started about a month ago when I had two unexpected stalls due to empty fuel tank. The needle was indicating that fuel was still available, though near empty. Then finally the mystery was solved on November 15 when the fuel level sender finally failed. I filled the tank normally but when I started the vehicle, the needle stayed at empty, low fuel light came on and low was displayed in the range speedo display. After a quick search, I realized the source of all my problems. Another faulty Trailblazer fuel level sender. I purchased the part from my local dealership and replaced my part (no need to replace the entire pump assembly). However at close inspection, I see that GM has changed the design of the metal "wipers" the slide along the resistor segments on the sender. Clearly they realized at some point that the design needed improvement. …
2006 Trailblazer EXT; fuel level sensor, sending unit, etc. At 34,000 miles around sept, 2009 right after filling up, the fuel gauge went to "empty' and the light went on with the warning bell sounding 5 times upon starting the vehicle. The check engine light also illuminated, but did go off by itself after 1 day. The gauge stayed at empty for approximately 50 miles after which it began to function properly, and then below about a third of a tank it went to zero again. Over time the portion of time the gauge functions properly has decreased. Now it registers about a quarter tank for only about 25 miles worth of driving, typically from 50 to 75 miles after filling it up. I've been aware of the preponderance of similar complaints, and have put off getting it fixed...just using the odometer...so far the odometer still works. …
Vehicle bought aug 2010 with 76, 014 miles on it. About one month after the purchase the gas gauge starting acting erratic. ( could have been that way when we bought it but didn't notice.) when you would fill it up it would still read e until you drove about 50 miles off from it then it would bounce around sometimes reading correct other times not. I ran out of gas on I-69 one time fortunately for me no one was behind me because I the whole vehicle starting jerking and eventually just shut off. The vehicle still read that it had gas at that point. In February 2011 the gas gauge just quit working all together would read e even when you filled it all the way up. Had to use gallons used to tell how much fuel was in it. May 2011 the check engine light started coming on and off. …
Bought 2006 Chevy Trailblazer EXT used from the dealer in 2009 for commute to and from work. Upon reaching 63,000 miles began to have problems with fuel gauge reading half full them empty even after just having filled up the tank at the station. As a result check engine light activated and when it came time to inspect the vehicle no one at the local dealerships were willing to drop the gas tank and fix the problem so I could pass inspection. Penna state emissions would not pass the vehicle until the fuel system was repaired, hence cannot pass inspection. I will no longer use the vehicle on long trips where I have to guess how much gas I have in the tank, or take it on busy highways like 95 or 83 near washington close to where I live. Problem description seems to be consisent with this model year. …
I bought a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer in January 2009. Once I reached about 40,000 miles, I stopped to get gas and after I filled up, my light indicating I needed gas came on (it was not on prior to getting gas). I knew I had gas so I kept driving; my engine light then came on. Both of them have now been on for over a year. In order to replace the sensor, I need a $500 part! I keep track of my mileage and fill up every 250 miles. Last week, my car just shut down, while traveling down a hill with my two children, I was apparently out of gas. We nearly crashed into multiple vehicles! I have seen that there are hundreds of the same problems in this vehicle and I believe it should definitely be recalled. I learned what can happen when someone thinks there is gas in the tank and there is not... I had to turn on my 4 ways and honk the horn because I had no brakes, no steering, etc... …
My wife was going approximately 60 MPH on the highway. The fuel gauge read that the tank had a little over a 1/2 of a tank left. The vehicle stalled and she almost crashed into the ditch. When she started the vehicle back up the tank read empty. My wife and kids had to wait by the side of the road in over 100 degree weather for over an hour until I was able to get away from work and take her fuel. We went directly to the gas station and put in $50 of fuel and the gauge still read empty. We have continued to put in fuel and the needle moves back and forth and always settles back on empty and the no fuel light always come on. I have no idea how much fuel there really is at this point. I am afraid to let my wife drive the vehicle any longer. This could have been a real bad situation. …
After getting gas and getting back in truck, I noticed the fuel gauge read e. After driving 100 plus miles the gauge would slowly drift up to half, then fall back to e. Over time it got worse until the fuel gauge read e all the time. I finally convinced the dealership this was under ca emission warranty and they agreed to fix it. When they were doing the repair, they noticed the main connector for the fuel pump got hot and melted and was ready to short out. So they replaced the entire fuel pump assy. Also they noticed the clips that hold the fuel line to the tank were never installed by the manufacturer. So they installed those as well. The service dept knew about this problem right away, which tells me this has been a on going problem and they just do the repair under warranty to avoid any recalls. …
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than…
Fuel System complaints in other Trailblazer EXT years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT?
NHTSA has 129 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, 68% of the model year's 189 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, though it has 6 recalls 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 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
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.