Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Electronic throttle body? No throttle control, motor will only idle, turn ignition switch off, then restart it will run. Reduced Engine Power light comes on. Happens for no apparent reason. Very unsafe situation.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 40 MPH, flames appeared under the front end of the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and was deemed destroyed. The fire and police departments filed reports. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was undetermined. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 08/16/16 consumer stated the driver behind him notified him that the fire was coming front underneath of the vehicle. There was no signal or indication that the vehicle was on fire. Updated 6/12/18
Our family was driving from columbus, ohio to louisville, ky. We had just crossed the state line going up I-75 hill near florance. When my wife said she seen smoke out her side mirror. I looked in rear view mirror and seen a little myself. I was in fast lane running speed limit, all gauges showed all was OK. I put turn signal on to begin finding a place to stop. Other cars near us began blowing horns and pointing at front right side of car. Once we got pulled off side of road, we turned vehicle off. I pulled the hood release of our 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. The fire was already flaming out the front of the hood where you could not touch it to open the hood up. Flames were also very bad on the front wheel area. My family exited the vehicle and got safely away. It is now being investigated by GM. Was suppose to hear a update by August 31st on investigation. …
Our 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer with approx 40,000 miles caught fire while driving approximately 40 MPH. We noted smoke behind the car and before we could pull over other drivers were yelling to us that the car was on fire. We immediately got to side of road, turned off engine and a large fire was coming from the hood. A good samaritan ran up with a fire extinguisher and put out the fire that was approx 4 feet high from the hood. All passengers safely exited the car as soon as stopping and due to the fire being extinguished quickly no other damage was done. This vehicle was running fine with no recent issues or service on the vehicle prior to this event. We have never had the car serviced by anyone other then Chevrolet dealerships. We were informed by the tow truck company that they have many 2004 Chevy trailblazers towed that have caught fire. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the reduce engine power warning indicator illuminated. The engine began to vibrate and the vehicle stalled. The contact merged to the side of the road and shut off and restarted the vehicle. The warning indicator went off and the vehicle drove normally; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The vehicle was purchased new in 2004. Since that time the water pump has been replaced twice yielding a total of three water pumps. As of this writing the vehicle has been solely used for private use not commercial use. We currently have 85,000 miles on it. Three water pumps in 85000 miles is wrong as there is no longevity to the part. The problem was noticed in motion and could have caused severe engine/transmission damage if not stopped iimmeadiately.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that an abnormal noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the exhaust manifold was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available...updated 05/14/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, smoke was coming from the engine. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was overheating without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 125,000.
Engine started misfiring on random cylinders,misfire does not stay on same cylinders. Has dramatic loss of power. Diagnostic code says random misfire. Dramatically decreased fuel economy. Bad vibration. Service engine light flashes during misfire. Does not have a constant misfire, it comes and goes.
2004 Chevy Trailblazer keeps getting cam position sensor fault. Causing check engine light to come on. Seems to be a common problem with this model. We have replaced this part three to four times on our truck. Truck began to run rough engine knocked and had reduced power.
Engine complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 5% of the model year's 1,081 complaints. The component named most often is engine (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 7 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.