Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While operating the vehicle, smoke emitted from the hood. The contact pulled over and discovered flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to a failed GM/ac delco transmission coolant line fitting, which caused transmission coolant to leak out onto the catalytic converter and exhaust system. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
My 2005 Trailblazer instrument panel constantly fails - the speedometer stops working which is a safety issue. The gas gauge has been fixed once already and is now broken again. The vehicle has power surges which is another safety issue. The transmission shifts the car up and down when trying to slow down causing power surges. This is another safety issue. The following are other issues which this model vehicle: stereo cd player stopped working, the check engine light comes on when the gas cap light, the lights flicker also. I ought this vehicle used and with a cracked front bumper which the dealer didn't fix (dealer stuck a little bondo on area and repainted it so I thought it was a new bumper when I accepted the car after repair. It cracked in a matter of days) and I know this was caused due to the surges in power. A severe safety issue. …
Tl* - on November 11, 2006 the contact was driving at 5-10 MPH on wet road conditions when the contact lost control of the vehicle. There were no warning indicator lights displayed on the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The vehicle started spinning, the contact's vehicle hit a cement median,and the vehicle spun around again. The left front tired looked shredded. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed away. The drive shaft was replaced. The contact stated that once the vehicle was repaired the tire was rubbing on the frame. The contact took the vehicle to another repair shop and was told that the drive shaft had been installed incorrectly, causing the tire to rub on the frame. The first dealer did not tell the contact they replaced the drive shaft. The vehicle's drive shaft has been ordered and the contact is still driving the vehicle. …
I parked a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer rented from budget rent a car in the hotel parking lot where myself and my fiance were checking in to. I removed the key from the ignition and went inside. Approximately 30 sec later the car rolled down the hill in a large ARC (due to the steering wheel being locked) and collided with another vehicle. The car was in neutral. At that point I put the key back into the ignition and found that the key could be removed while in neutral, which caused the car to roll. The police arrived and also were able to remove the key while it was in neutral. This is included in the police report. I was not cited since the police officer found the car to be defective. Budget rent a car replaced the vehicle without question, however are now seeking me to pay for the damage, which is obviously being contested.
Crashed straight into the back end of a vehicle doing 60 while I was doing atleast 80, or 85, maybe more, I don't remember. The first thing I remember seeing is realizing I'm alright despite the blood in the cockpit and on my face despite sneezing which was spreading blood. Is this a vehicle defect or what? My math says that crashing at 85mph into a vehicle doing 60 is like crashing into a brick wall at 25mph. I've had a local mechanic check it out and he says according to his OBD-ii computer everything is working fine (or was atleast) :) anyways, please feel free to contact me again with any more question you May have. [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle shifted abruptly into second gear, and from second gear into third gear. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The first and second shift sensor in the transmission were replaced. The failure recurred, and the second and third shift sensor were replaced but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
I was driving on the highway going straight no turns in my 05 Chevy Trailblazer going about 60mph and all of a sudden I heard a low click sound and I was not able to accelerate or keep my current speed it was beyond unsafe so I pulled to the side of the highway engine running still I put it in every gear to see if it would move it did not I tried r,d,3,2&1 gears and the truck only rev'd up and did not move .it was no signs of the transmission going out or going bad it still shifted smooth it just went out all of a sudden on the highway which is very dangerous I feel like the transmission has to be cheaply made .
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle, crashed into another vehicle and swerved off of the road. Prior to the crash, the contact heard a loud banging noise near the rear end of the axle. The front drive axle and the drive train connected to the rear axle were destroyed. The vehicle was towed to his residence and it was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that they were unable to offer him any assistance with the failure. A police report was not filed. The failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 06/17/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. When the contact shifted the gearshift in reverse, the vehicle failed to drive. In addition, when depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would only increase one gram RPM. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the forward gear was locked in with the loss of park and reverse and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 163,672.
When I accelerate from 45 to 60 miles per hour my whole truck vibrates and it feels like the engine is seizing but if I accelerate more or reduce my speed it goes away. I was researching online and found out I wasnt the only one in the country that has this problem. I was just thinking of everyone's safety including my own.
Transmission complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 3% of the model year's 1,466 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 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 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.