2006 Chevrolet
TRAILBLAZER EXTProblems & recalls

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

Recorded closure: Mar 29, 2021

On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V-406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The recall remedy requires the inspection and repair or replacement of the master power window switch, which GM refers to as a driver door module (DDM). At the same time, GM implemented a special coverage program to replace failed DDMs for vehicles registered outside of these states. ODI was not satisfied with GM's exclusion of non-salt belt vehicles and continued its investigation. On June 13, 2013, GM submitted a related recall notification (13V-248) to reclassify the initial special coverage program into a safety recall for vehicles that were not previously repaired under special coverage.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis EA12-004 on June 11, 2012 to further investigate allegations of DDM thermal incidents in model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. Thermal incidents involve cases where fire-related events such as smoke and melt are present. ODI has received 170 reports alleging a thermal event occurred. Complainants stated that the DDM melted and in some cases produced odor and/or smoke. Fourteen of these incidents led to a fire where visible flames were reported or the damage extended significantly beyond the DDM. In addition to the 170 reports listed above, ODI received 63 reports alleging the DDM acted erratically or became inoperative. In response to ODI's Information Request (IR), GM provided 619 unique consumer complaints that related to the alleged problem. Seventy-seven of those reports led to a fire with flame, and 4 reported injuries of smoke inhalation and/or slight burns from contact with hot switches. GM also submitted 20,400 warranty claims for replacement of the DDM, most of which involved inoperative switches. The problem condition is caused by fluids, such as rain water, entering the driver's door module and subsequently causing corrosion that could result in an electrical short in the printed circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. However, the electrical short may also cause overheating that could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke or in some cases fire with flame. The circuit board was redesigned and GM implemented the new design into vehicle production on May 14, 2007. All failures cited above occurred in vehicles produced before this build date (i.e., with the original design DDM). GM also reported that all MY 2006-2007 GMT360/370 platform vehicles and MY 2005 SAAB 9-7x vehicles utilized the same DDM and therefore ODI expanded the subject population to include these vehicles.This investigation is closed on the basis of GM's announcement of safety recalls 12V-406 and 13V-248. The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID, see the attached list for ODI numbers.

Recorded closure: Jun 21, 2013

Campaign reference in the source: 13V248000

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on February 9, 2012 in response to complaints alleging driver door module melting and/or burning in MY 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers. In response to ODI's Information Request letter, General Motors presented 167 reports and 698 warranty claims that related to the alleged problem. ODI has received a total of 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative. Twenty-eight of the reports received have led to driver door fires, some of which allege the vehicle was keyed off and unattended. Based on the agency's current analysis, ODI has upgraded its investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA12-004) to determine whether the subject vehicles contain a defect that presents an unreasonable risk to safety.The vehicle models and production dates of affected vehicles will be evaluated, particularly other GMT360 vehicles. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10247838, 10260600, 10274337, 10275626, 10284010, 10396958, 10406203, 10409023, 10414691, 10417938, 10423865, 10426281, 10434446, 10445657, 10447754, 10447757, 10447770, 10447788, 10447813, 10447831, 10447865, 10447880, 10447892, 10447938, 10447994, 10447996, 10447997, 10448028, 10448086, 10448138, 10448176, 10448201, 10448337, 10448455, 10448464, 10448478, 10448540, 10448900, 10448941, 10449150, 10449166, 10449169, 10449236, 10449722, 10450055, 10450202, 10450284, 10451584, 10451878, 10451918, 10452197, 10452301, 10452586, 10452743, 10452895, 10453161, 10453227, 10453261, 10453578, 10453746, 10453951, 10454196, 10454211, 10454539, 10454673, 10455122, 10455150, 10455279, 10455469, 10456285, 10456529, 10457116, 10457644, 10457811, 10458224, 10458485, 10458599, 10458743, 10458846, 10460062, 10460141, 10460732, 10460843

Recorded closure: Jun 11, 2012

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 what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

Recorded closure: May 23, 2011