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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving vehicle turn it off turn back on drive somewhere and turn it off and go swimming for an hour came back go to go start it and would not start I believe it's the anti-theft system as we replaced the ignition switch and the ignition cylinder but my illumination selector for my gear selector nor my tachometer works nor do my front two windows or locks
On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at approximately 11:30 a.m. While my husband and I were driving on the west side of the standing rock sioux reservation my 2006 Trailblazer ext caught on fire. We both smelled smoke, parked (didn't turn off the ignition) and flames began to shoot out from underneath the front driver's side of the vehicle. We got out and ran to the west side of the roadway as the fire engulfed the entire front motor area. My purse was still in the burning vehicle and I told my husband he ran back to the burning vehicle to retrieve it. He sustained burns to his hands, face, legs and feet. In addition he received smoke inhalation to a degree of a "black out" stage. …
We were traveling from spokane, wa to portland, or, when we got to richland, wa the check engine light came on. We stopped and scanned the computer and gave us a code for a faulty pedal sensor. We erased the code and turned the Trailblazer on and it came back on in about 10 minutes. We read online that other people that have Trailblazer ss are having this issues and there was a recall on the sensor and they are getting theirs replaced. I talked to autonation Chevrolet and camp Chevrolet here in spokane, wa and they both have heard of the recall and the issue but since it won't show up under my VIN number they will not honor the recall. They won't 100 to 150 to diagnose when it took me 5 seconds and they want us to pay about 600+ dollars for an repair that should be free. I read about the sensor and our truck is doing everything it says it will do. …
After fueling the vehicle with 12 gallons of gas, (filling it up from half a tank) the fuel gauge read empty and the out of fuel / low fuel indicator light was on. The vehicle stalled twice while in traffic driving it home, but did not result in an accident as traffic was light at the time. After calling the dealership they told me this is a common problem that happens every 50K miles "give or take" and that I need to have my fuel level sensor and fuel pump replaced. In looking online, I find that this is indeed a very common problem that has resulted in crashes and other safety issues and has been ignored by GM and the NHTSA for several years now despite the constantly growing number of claims. The dealer stated it would cost "somewhere around $900" to have this fixed. I told them what I thought of that, bought the delphi replacement unit myself for $200 and made the repairs on my own. …
For months I have been having issues with my vehicle. It was taken in to Chevrolet for a recall repair and now it seems to have all sorts of problems! My fuel gauge in the tank is no longer working, my A/C was working one day but not the next, the check engine light turns on and off, it's dumping fuel, the thermostat had to be replaced...when do the problems end? Now come to find out after having my blower motor replaced the connector for the electrical has had a little bit of melting issue which potentially could have caught fire!!! Of course general motors wants and arm and a leg to replace it!!!! I don't think I will ever buy another Chevy again, this is ridiculous! If it had caught fire which I am sure if people can't afford or don't get their vehicles properly checked there will be one that happens to, it could kill someone! Seems like a liability waiting to happen!
I've been having issues with the fuel gauge indicating empty after a fill up although its not... I had this problem happen about two years ago, I spent $900.00 (at the time) on an acdelco fuel sending unit and replaced the part... It worked for sometime, however, here we are two years later and its happening again...I don't have $900.00 to replace the part again. This time I was driving to work on the highway (luckily it wasn't to busy, but busy enough at the time of 9:30 am in the morning on a Monday) doing about 55mph, give or take, and the engine just shut off, the lights came on and it would not start. Luckily for me, I was able to get the cooperation of a state trooper to sit with me until someone could bring me gas. Sure enough it was a gas issue due to the sensor not working properly and the truck started right up once I put a few gallons in the truck..
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel gauge would not display the proper fuel level reading. As a result, the vehicle stalled while driving 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the fuel system was repaired. The failure recurred approximately five years later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for repair. The contact also stated that the control panel on the front driver's side, which controlled the windows, was not functioning. The contact also smelled a burning odor when she attempted to control the windows. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 10,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer ls. The contact stated that while rolling down the front drivers side window, smoke began to rise from the door panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the control module in the front drivers side door melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge would display improper readings after refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the fuel sending unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 93,600.
Vehicle was serviced for a faulty fuel level float sensor, which was registering that there was no fuel in the gas tank when the tank was full. 7 days later, while driving on a busy freeway, all of the gauges on the gauge cluster started spinning out of control and the vehicle lost complete power while driving 65 MPH. I had to merege across 4 lanes on the freeway in heavy traffic and nearly got run over. No power to the engine at all - it just died while I was driving. Of course, OnStar and the Chevrolet dealer that performed all of the service on the vehicle were no help. While waiting for OnStar, my vehicle was towed off the freeway.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 10 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the driver's side door panel. He pulled over and turned off the vehicle, which caused it to stop smoking. A mechanic stated that the control fuse box caught fire. The contact took his vehicle to the dealer, but they did not have the necessary parts for the repair. In addition, the contact was experiencing fuel gauge issues. When he filled up the vehicle with gasoline, the gauge indicated that it was empty. The failure mileage was 47,500. Updated 07/28/09 updated 07/30/09.
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 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 607 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 55% of the model year's 1,108 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though it has 8 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 8 fires and 6 injuries and 12 deaths to fuel & propulsion system 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.