The problem
On certain sport utility vehicles, vibration and heat May cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb May flicker and eventually become inoperative.
The risk
An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on November 22, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, Buick at 1-866-608-8080, or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 04V-527 (04V527000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 04087 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Component | Exterior lighting › Brake lights |
| Report date | November 1, 2004 |
| Owners notified | November 22, 2004 |
| Vehicles affected | 871,473 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
- 2004 Buick Rainier
- 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
- 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
- 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
- 2002 GMC Envoy XL
- 2003 GMC Envoy XL
- 2004 GMC Envoy XL
- 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
- 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
- 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
Owner complaints about the lights
- 2004 Buick Rainier headlight problems 22
- 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlight problems 144
- 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlight problems 78
- 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer headlight problems 104
- 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT headlight problems 10
- 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT headlight problems 23
- 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT headlight problems 13
- 2002 GMC Envoy XL headlight problems 11
- 2003 GMC Envoy XL headlight problems 16
- 2004 GMC Envoy XL headlight problems 12
- 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada headlight problems 11
- 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada headlight problems 1
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 04V-527 repair free?
Yes. Buick dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies, and if necessary, replace them. The recall began on November 22, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, Buick at 1-866-608-8080, or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 871,473 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.