DecodedCars2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 2WD / Ls/Lt, 4dr SUV 4WD / Ls/Lt, Ext 4dr SUV 2WD / Ls/Lt, Ext 4dr SUV 4WD / Ls/Lt
- Engines
- 4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 191.7–207.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,418–5,007 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints207 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 40 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.2L 6-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 192 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,418 lb (4dr SUV 2WD / Ls/Lt).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 11% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 2WD / Ls/Lt | 191.7 in | 74.4 in | 74.4 in | 113 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 4,418 lb | 54/46 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD / Ls/Lt | 191.7 in | 74.4 in | 74.4 in | 113 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 4,594 lb | 54/46 |
| Ext 4dr SUV 2WD / Ls/Lt | 207.9 in | 74.8 in | 77.2 in | 129.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 4,773 lb | 54/46 |
| Ext 4dr SUV 4WD / Ls/Lt | 207.9 in | 74.8 in | 77.2 in | 129.1 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 5,007 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrailBlazer 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -11% | $4,200 | 555 |
| TrailBlazer 4WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -17% | $4,450 | 592 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -17% | $4,450 | 592 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
| TrailBlazer Ext 4WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | -16% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 GMC Yukon | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Electrical System — 78 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Exterior Lighting — 54 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 42 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 117,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other TrailBlazer years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 12 |
| 2025 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 26 |
| 2024 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 36 |
| 2023 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 75 |
| 2022 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 112 |
| 2021 TrailBlazer | 31 | 173.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 197 |
| 2009 TrailBlazer | 17 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 18 |
| 2008 TrailBlazer | 17 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 81 |
| 2007 TrailBlazer | 17 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 255 |
| 2006 TrailBlazer | 16 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 270 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →