Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet trail blazer. While driving approximately 25 MPH and engaging the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated, spun out of control and rolled over down a hill. The consumer suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. A police has a report is available if needed. The Chevrolet manufacturer stated that there were no related incidents. The failure mileage was 56,000. Updated 01/08/10 the consumer also stated the air bags did not deploy and it felt as though the gas pedal was stuck. Updated 01/12/10.
Dt*: the contact stated at various speeds, the vehicle would lose power and stall. This occurred with no warning. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic for this problem. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power and hit a guard rail then rolled over. The airbags did not deploy. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but sustained minor injuries. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, but there has been no inspection for these problems.
I have 2004 Trailblazer in jan my tach and speedometer have not worked properly ...I cannot afford the 500 dollar plus fix on this vehicle. I have read many complaints in regards to the same situation. Apparently no one has taken care of this problem. Ifrom my understanding there have been recalls on most other vehicles with the same problem, I do not understand why there isn't one for the Trailblazer.please advise what to do.
Speedometer and tachometer. Both have not worked properly for a few months now... Un safe will be getting it fix unfortunately its going to cost alot of money but will save lives...I have heard many complaints about this same issue did some research and there were quiet alot of ppl w same problems.. Something needs to be done to prevent any and all safety issues.
Gear shift locked into the parked position while vehicle still moving and in drive. Brake pedal also locked.my autistic son was in the vehicle with me. GM knows about this issue as far back as 2002 . Do they care about the impact ? I am the 3rd owner ,bought this vehicle because of safety rating and that it has less than 92000 miles on it. I have owned it for 5 years.
While making a left turn, the vehicle accelerated from 5 to 50 MPH, full pressure applied to the brakes did not stop the vehicle. Driving into a curb was the only way to stop the vehicle. Resulting in tire and wheel damage. No personal injury was caused.
While driving the vehicle it began to smoke. The car wouldn't accelerate so I stopped the car shut it off, popped the hood, and it was engulfed in flames. I grabbed my 2 children out of the car and called 9-1-1 the car was a total loss!
My first complaint came after the warranty expired and my water pump suddenly went out. I got that fixed and then I started hearing a noise on the passenger side near the right front tire. We still have not been able to figure out what this is. Now I am having trouble with the RPM and speedometer just jumping and going out of whack. I got it fixed in lumberton nc at the Chevy dealer and before I got home the same thing was happening again. I am scheduling an appointment to take it back in again and this time they say they will have to replace the gauge which will cost approximately $350. This is ridiculous considering I have only had the vehicle a year and some months. I talked to a friend of mine which had a GMC yukon and she had the same problems with the rpms and speedometer. She finally got rid of her and she said she had the same noise problem. …
Driving on dry pavement, clear day. Took freeway offramp, when I reached 40mph, the brakes locked up, went past stop sign into other highway missing other vehicle passing in front of offramp. Happened twice at same speed, brakes lock up, and I pass through the stop sign. Loud grinding noise coming from wheel well area, brakes recently changed about 3 months ago, noise occurs at 25-30 MPH, sounds like dragging something underneath. Service man checked, nothing visible. Has occurred 5 times in less than 2 months. Interior lights dim on vehicle then brighten constantly. Door ajar light constantly coming on, back hatch window constantly opening on own driving down road. Instrument panel knobs, panel itself and window and door buttons on doors extremely hot to touch. Various lights on instrument panel quit working and then resume on their own. Reported tach/odometer not working already. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The throttle body failed while the contact was at a stop light causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle restarted immediately and there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a mechanic where they inspected and replaced the throttle body at her expense for $200. The dealer was also called and informed her to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing but she informed them that she would take the vehicle to another mechanic and they will replace the throttle body. The manufacturer was called, filed a claim and was also informed to contact NHTSA and file a claim. The failure mileage was 121,000. Updated 12/8/10. The consumer stated the throttle body failed many times and the last time it failed, the consumer was approaching a red light and the vehicle completely stalled. Updated 12/13/10
Acceleration complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 4% of the model year's 1,081 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though it has 2 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 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.