FaultScore

FaultScore report

2005 Chevrolet Blazer problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Blazer with NHTSA between 2009 and 2016. The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion. Across this model's run it ranks 22 of 22 worst.

A

FaultScore 21/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Blazer.

How this is worked out

The numbers

18

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

75,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

9%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 2 vs 50 Severity 57 vs 50 Early failure 15 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 2
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Blazer. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 57
11.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 15
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2005 compares with every other Chevrolet Blazer

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2005 Chevrolet Blazer

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Fuel & Propulsion 7 38.9%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Electrical System 4 22.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 75,000 mi

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 5.6%

Median failure at 132,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 5.6%
Lights 1 5.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 5.6%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 5.6%

Median failure at 132,000 miles

Airbags 1 5.6%
Engine & Cooling 1 5.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 9.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 9.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 18.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 5 45.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 18.2%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 2009 peak 3 Jan 2016

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 77,333 miles Glendora, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS RETURNING FROM LAS VEGAS ON A RUFF PAVED DESERT HWY IN MY 2005 5 SPEED 2 DOOR CHEVY BLAZER WHEN I NOTICE A SLIGHT SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SMOKE. I TURNED ON THE DOME LIGHT AND NOTICE THE TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH ARM BOUNCING A LOT WITH SOME SMOKE COMING OUT THERE AT THE COLUMN ! I SLOWED FROM 65 TO 40 WITH MY FLASHERS ON, PROBLEM SOLVED . GOT BACK ON A SMOOTH FREE WAY AT 65 WITH NO SMOKE. THE SWITCH ARM GOT SLOPPIER OVER TIME BUT STILL WORKED FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS. THEN ONE DAY I TURN RIGHT WITH MY SIGNAL ON, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES, & THE SMOKE WAS BACK (MUCH STRONGER ) WHILE DRIVING SLOW! I THEN PULLED INTO A AUTO PARTS PARKING LOT, SHUT IT OFF, & TOOK OUT THE KEYS! TO MY SHOCK THE WIPERS, & SMOKE KEPT GOING! I THEN OPENED THE HOOD, UNPLUGGED THE WIPER MOTOR, & AGAIN PROBLEM SOLVED ! THEN CAME A RAINY DAY SO I HAD TO PLUG BACK IN THE WIPERS, THINGS STILL ALL OK! BUT THEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL ON! THE EVEN STRONGER SMOKE WAS BACK PLUS MY ASTHMA ATTACK (USED MY INHALER ) ! I THOUGHT ABOUT STOPPING IN THE STRONG RAIN BUT I TURNED ON THE A/C ON FULL THEN GOT VERY MAD ! I YANKED ON THE PLASTIC SWITCH ARM PULLING IT TO THE LEFT, & IT POPPED OFF IN MY HAND! PROBLEM SOLVED EXCEPT NOW MY WINDSHIELD SPRAY, & WIPER DELAY DON'T WORK! I STILL GET SOME SMOKE ON RUFF ROADS! THE WHOLE TURNING SIGNAL WITCH PART COST $599.95 AT CHEVY PLUS $330.00 LABOR ! TO RICH FOR ME! I TOOK THE SMALL COLUMN DASHBOARD PANEL OFF, PUT A KILL SWITCH ON THE WIPER MOTOR POWER WIRE JUST IN CASE, & A LIGHT WEIGHT WOOD 6" CUT OFF STAINED BROOM HANDLE ON THE 4" METAL SWITCH ARM ( DRILLED A 5\16 HOLE 4" DEEP)! I AVOID BAD ROADS, USING TURNING SIGNALS, & I CLEAN MY WINDSHIELD BY HAND OFTEN ! PROBLEM SOLVED FOR NOW! IF THE AIR BAD GOES OFF FROM THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING I WILL PROBABLY HAVE A HEART ATTACK, & DIE!

NHTSA complaint #10630515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Uniondale, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2005 CHEVY BLAZER WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S HOME AND JUST WENT UP IN A BLAZE OF FIRE CONSUMING MOST OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAD ABOUT 35K MILES ON IT. THIS WAS A POLICE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10325454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

St.louis, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

GAS GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS EVERY TIME I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID NO PROBLEM I THINK IT IS THE FUEL FILTER IN THE FUEL TANK AND TO FIX THAT IT WILL COST ME ABOUT 1000.00 TO FIX. MY SON AND A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM JUST DIDN'T SEEM WRIGHT CAR ONLY 5 YRS OLD AND THAT GOES WRONG FOR FIVE YRS I JUST FILL MY TANK AND GO ABOUT 250 MILES THEN FILL UP AGAIN. PLEASE TRY TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN IT RAINS THIS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #10820722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

St.louis, MO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS EVERY TIME I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID NO PROBLEM I THINK IT IS THE FUEL FILTER IN THE FUEL TANK AND TO FIX THAT IT WILL COST ME ABOUT 1000.00 TO FIX. MY SON AND A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM JUST DIDN'T SEEM WRIGHT CAR ONLY 5 YRS OLD AND THAT GOES WRONG FOR FIVE YRS I JUST FILL MY TANK AND GO ABOUT 250 MILES THEN FILL UP AGAIN. PLEASE TRY TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN IT RAINS THIS IS ANOTHER PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #10820722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,657 miles Antioch, TN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY NO MATTER HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10703632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Palm Beach, FL

AIR BAGS

I WAS NOTIFIED A WHILE BACK ABOUT DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS IN 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZERS AND I WOULD BE CONTACTED ON WHAT PROCEDURES TO TAKE IN ORDER OF CORRECTING AIR BAG. NO ONE EVER CONTACTED ME, GIVING ME INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO TAKE MY TRAILBLAZER RE: AIRBAG TO HAVE IT CORRECTED. DID I RECEIVE THE NOTIFICATION IN ERROR? THE DATE ABOVE (INCIDENT DATE) IS NOT CORRECT,..COMPLAINT COULD NOT BE SUBMITTED WITHOUT ENTERING A DATE.

NHTSA complaint #10654149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cadiz, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

AS OF OCTOBER 20,2014 I HAVE YET TO SEE THE 1999 CHEVORLET S_10 LS OR THE 2005 CHEVORLET BLAZER S-T 4X4 MY HUSBAND HAS TESTED BOTH OF THESE IGNITION SWITCHES AND THEY ARE THE SAME. HE THEN CALLED A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HIM TO NOT PUT ANYTHING HEAVY ON THE KEY RING. WE ARE GETTING THE SAME SPILL FROM GM AS EVERYONE ELSE.WHY HASN'T THE S-10'S AND BLAZERS BEEN INSPECTED, THEY HAVE THE SAME IGNITION SWITCH FROM THE 1999 S-10 TO THE 2005 BLAZER 4X4 AND ARE VERY EASY TO KNOCK IN TO ACCESSORY POSITION. BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO INFORMATION PUT OUT ABOUT OUR IGNITION SWITCHES, WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS AS WELL. WHY HAVE THESE VEHICLES BEEN OVERLOOKED NOT INSPECTED AND SILENCED? NOONE HAS SAID THE S10 OR THE BLAZERS IGNITION SWITCHES ARE SAFE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTIONS IN OUR MIND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCHES ARE THE SAME AS ALL THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND FAULTY AND POSSIBLY THE AIR BAGS AS WELL. PLEASE,PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS I HAVE A DAUGHTER COMING OF DRIVING AGE AND WE NEED TO KNOW OUR VEHICLES ARE SAFE FOR HER TO EVEN STEP IN.

NHTSA complaint #10648980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,333 miles Glendora, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS RETURNING FROM LAS VEGAS ON A RUFF PAVED DESERT HWY IN MY 2005 5 SPEED 2 DOOR CHEVY BLAZER WHEN I NOTICE A SLIGHT SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SMOKE. I TURNED ON THE DOME LIGHT AND NOTICE THE TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH ARM BOUNCING A LOT WITH SOME SMOKE COMING OUT THERE AT THE COLUMN ! I SLOWED FROM 65 TO 40 WITH MY FLASHERS ON, PROBLEM SOLVED . GOT BACK ON A SMOOTH FREE WAY AT 65 WITH NO SMOKE. THE SWITCH ARM GOT SLOPPIER OVER TIME BUT STILL WORKED FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS. THEN ONE DAY I TURN RIGHT WITH MY SIGNAL ON, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES, & THE SMOKE WAS BACK (MUCH STRONGER ) WHILE DRIVING SLOW! I THEN PULLED INTO A AUTO PARTS PARKING LOT, SHUT IT OFF, & TOOK OUT THE KEYS! TO MY SHOCK THE WIPERS, & SMOKE KEPT GOING! I THEN OPENED THE HOOD, UNPLUGGED THE WIPER MOTOR, & AGAIN PROBLEM SOLVED ! THEN CAME A RAINY DAY SO I HAD TO PLUG BACK IN THE WIPERS, THINGS STILL ALL OK! BUT THEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL ON! THE EVEN STRONGER SMOKE WAS BACK PLUS MY ASTHMA ATTACK (USED MY INHALER ) ! I THOUGHT ABOUT STOPPING IN THE STRONG RAIN BUT I TURNED ON THE A/C ON FULL THEN GOT VERY MAD ! I YANKED ON THE PLASTIC SWITCH ARM PULLING IT TO THE LEFT, & IT POPPED OFF IN MY HAND! PROBLEM SOLVED EXCEPT NOW MY WINDSHIELD SPRAY, & WIPER DELAY DON'T WORK! I STILL GET SOME SMOKE ON RUFF ROADS! THE WHOLE TURNING SIGNAL WITCH PART COST $599.95 AT CHEVY PLUS $330.00 LABOR ! TO RICH FOR ME! I TOOK THE SMALL COLUMN DASHBOARD PANEL OFF, PUT A KILL SWITCH ON THE WIPER MOTOR POWER WIRE JUST IN CASE, & A LIGHT WEIGHT WOOD 6" CUT OFF STAINED BROOM HANDLE ON THE 4" METAL SWITCH ARM ( DRILLED A 5\16 HOLE 4" DEEP)! I AVOID BAD ROADS, USING TURNING SIGNALS, & I CLEAN MY WINDSHIELD BY HAND OFTEN ! PROBLEM SOLVED FOR NOW! IF THE AIR BAD GOES OFF FROM THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING I WILL PROBABLY HAVE A HEART ATTACK, & DIE!

NHTSA complaint #10630515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Toleod, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING TO COLUMBUS, OHIO AND RAN OUT OF GAS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE ON FULL. THIS IS A 2005 BLAZER. WAS A YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WANTED $800 DOLLARS TO TAKE THE FUEL TANK. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, SO WHERE IS THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10398670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Mount Vernon, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GM 05 TRAILBLAZER FUEL SENDING UNIT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: DP10001 N/A MAKE: CHEVROLET MODEL: TRAILBLAZER MANUFACTURER : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. YEAR : 2005 COMPONENT : FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED : JANUARY 7, 2010 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED : OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10368610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,000 miles Sutton, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TOOK A RIGHT HAND TURN AND MY DRIVERSIDE BACK SEAT DOOR FLEW OPEN NARROWLY MISSING AN ON COMING WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY 11 YEAR OLD SON. IF MY SON WAS IN THE CAR AND DID NOT HAVE HIS SAFETY BELT ON HE COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND EVEN IF HE DID HE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF THE ON COMING CAR HIT THE OPEN DOOR. I REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY AND IT WAS A REAL JOKE TO THEM. WHAT THEY SAID IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL THEY WILL DO NOTHING AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED. I GUESS SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE KILLED BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE AN ACTION.

NHTSA complaint #10336263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,000 miles Sutton, MA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TOOK A RIGHT HAND TURN AND MY DRIVERSIDE BACK SEAT DOOR FLEW OPEN NARROWLY MISSING AN ON COMING WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY 11 YEAR OLD SON. IF MY SON WAS IN THE CAR AND DID NOT HAVE HIS SAFETY BELT ON HE COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND EVEN IF HE DID HE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF THE ON COMING CAR HIT THE OPEN DOOR. I REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY AND IT WAS A REAL JOKE TO THEM. WHAT THEY SAID IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL THEY WILL DO NOTHING AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED. I GUESS SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE KILLED BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE AN ACTION.

NHTSA complaint #10336263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,396 miles Chula Vista, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,396.

NHTSA complaint #10332412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Uniondale, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2005 CHEVY BLAZER WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S HOME AND JUST WENT UP IN A BLAZE OF FIRE CONSUMING MOST OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY HAD ABOUT 35K MILES ON IT. THIS WAS A POLICE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10325454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Halifax, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2005 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS A BAD SPEEDOMETER. IT FAILED WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. IT WILL READ 120 MILE AN HOUR SITTING STILL, THEN IT WILL READ 30 MILE AN HOUR, WHILE I AM GOING 60. IT IS TROUBLING AS TICKETS ARE EXPENSIVE IF I RECEIVE ONE. ON THE INTERSTATE, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. GM SAYS $800.00 PLUS TO FIX IT. ONLY HAS 39000 MILES ON IT NOW. THOUSANDS OF THESE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. COMPLETELY UNSAFE. THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10321035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elyria, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL LEVEL SENSOR QUIT WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10301723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belfair, WA

VISIBILITY

REAR WINDOW HAS SHATTERED 3 TIMES IN LAST 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10287049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Vinalhaven, ME

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS REPEATEDLY, TO FIND OUT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE FUEL PUMP AT THE GAS TANK WAS SHORTING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10260053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Brownsboro, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 4WD 1. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY 2. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WILL DIM AND/OR FLASH ON AND OFF. 3. WHEN STOPPED THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY REV WHICH HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND FORTUNATELY I PRESSED THE BRAKE IN TIME OR I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED SEVERAL VEHICLES. 4A. THE GAUGES ON MY VEHICLE ARE COMPLETELY HAYWIRE. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL AT TIMES NOT MOVE AT ALL OR GO ALL THE WAY PAST 120 MPH, AT OTHER TIMES IT WILL STICK ON WHATEVER SPEED I MIGHT BE GOING AT THE MOMENT AND NOT MOVE. OTHER TIMES IT WILL STICK AT WHATEVER SPEED I WAS GOING AND THEN PROCEED TO MOVE WHICH MAY SHOW I'M GOING 10, 20 30, .... MILES FASTER THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED I'M TRAVELING. 4B. THE OIL GAUGE HAS GONE ALL THE WAY OVER AND NO LONGER MOVES. THESE ARE ALL VERY DANGEROUS INCIDENTS WHICH SHOULD BE RECALLED

NHTSA complaint #10258680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Brownsboro, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 4WD 1. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY 2. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WILL DIM AND/OR FLASH ON AND OFF. 3. WHEN STOPPED THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY REV WHICH HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND FORTUNATELY I PRESSED THE BRAKE IN TIME OR I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED SEVERAL VEHICLES. 4A. THE GAUGES ON MY VEHICLE ARE COMPLETELY HAYWIRE. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL AT TIMES NOT MOVE AT ALL OR GO ALL THE WAY PAST 120 MPH, AT OTHER TIMES IT WILL STICK ON WHATEVER SPEED I MIGHT BE GOING AT THE MOMENT AND NOT MOVE. OTHER TIMES IT WILL STICK AT WHATEVER SPEED I WAS GOING AND THEN PROCEED TO MOVE WHICH MAY SHOW I'M GOING 10, 20 30, .... MILES FASTER THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED I'M TRAVELING. 4B. THE OIL GAUGE HAS GONE ALL THE WAY OVER AND NO LONGER MOVES. THESE ARE ALL VERY DANGEROUS INCIDENTS WHICH SHOULD BE RECALLED

NHTSA complaint #10258680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.