Is the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT a bad year?
261 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Trailblazer EXT years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT are in line with other Trailblazer EXT years. Electrical system and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Trailblazer EXT owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 63,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 145 (56%) | 47k–83k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 46 (18%) | 54k–98k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 17 (7%) | 42k–78k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 13 (5%) | 36k–119k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 (5%) | 35k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (3%) | 25k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (3%) | 26k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 63,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 261 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Apr 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT: 1
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 68
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Loss of Headlights
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Brake lamp failure
Neighbouring years
2003 Trailblazer EXT: 313 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2006 · All Trailblazer EXT years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT a bad year?
261 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Trailblazer EXT years. At 63,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (145), fuel system (46), transmission and drivetrain (17), engine (13), exterior lighting (13).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 04V-527). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.