2005 Chevrolet Blazer: common problems

Owners of the 2005 Chevrolet Blazer filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 15

What fails most often

1 Fuel system 33% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
3 Fuel/propulsion system 13% of all complaints
4 Air bags 7% of all complaints
5 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
6 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
7 Latches, locks, linkages 7% of all complaints
8 Structure 7% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Fuel system: 5 complaints (33% of all).
Electrical system: 4 complaints (27% of all).
Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (13% of all).
Air bags: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (7% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: RWD, AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 15 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

fuel system, fuel smell5 · 33%
knocking, grinding or other noise2 · 13%
A/C or heater1 · 7%
headlights and tail lights1 · 7%
smoke, burning smell, fire1 · 7%
warning lights, check engine1 · 7%
windows, sunroof1 · 7%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Fuel system	5	0	0
Electrical system	4	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0
Air bags	1	0	0
Engine and cooling	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	1	0	0
Latches, locks, linkages	1	0	0
Structure	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0
Visibility	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

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.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2016-01-17 · NHTSA complaint #10820722
Fuel gauge shows empty no matter how much fuel is in the tank.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2015-04-03 · NHTSA complaint #10703632
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?
Air bags · 2014-11-11 · NHTSA complaint #10654149
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.
Electrical system · 2014-10-20 · NHTSA complaint #10648980
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 !
Electrical system · 2014-09-03 · NHTSA complaint #10630515
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.
Fuel system · 2011-05-02 · NHTSA complaint #10398670
Year : 2005 component : fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump date investigation opened : january 7, 2010 date investigation closed : open.
Fuel system · 2010-12-01 · NHTSA complaint #10368610
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.
Latches, locks, linkages · 2010-06-14 · NHTSA complaint #10336263

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20093
20106
20111
20143
20151
20161

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 9,286 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Blazer has 192 complaints (43 years in the data). This year has 15, below average.

What to check before buying

Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Blazer?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (33%), knocking, grinding or other noise (13%), A/C or heater (7%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Chevrolet Blazer?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2005 Chevrolet Blazer from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2005 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.