Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext air bags problems

77 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext cite air bags, 5% of all 1,703 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
77
5% of all complaints
Crashes
47
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
58
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a second vehicle. During the crash, no air bags in the vehicle deployed. The contact sustained neck, shoulders, and back injuries and was transported to the local hospital. A Police report was filed at the scene but was not available. The vehicle was towed to a local towing yard. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11754385
“The airbags failed to deploy In a significant collision where hood, radiator, grill/number and both headlights were damaged. GM has been contacted and fail and refuse to do an inspection stating the issue is time barred to 10 years to original warranty of vehicle and are failing to acknowledge manufacturer defect or issue a recall. There were no warning signs/lights prior to notify that the airbags would fail to deploy in an accident. The vehicle has not inspected, even a request has been made on multiple occasions, with getting the runaround and claim closed. The lack of safety puts other drivers/owners of the 2005 Trailblazer and or similar vehicles at risk, at time they will need it the most to find out airbags are defective and will not work. Injuries and lives are at risk only for GM to run a cover up and not stand up to do what is right. Police report number [XXX] Adams Co Sheriff's Office, could not upload.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11578840
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat belt pretensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 186,228.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2023Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11557452
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated she fell asleep while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle graced two trees, and crashed into the third tree on the front driver-side bumper. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained a fractured rib on her left side, a lesion on her right leg, and a lesion on her chest and abdomen due to the seat belt. The contact did seek medical attention. The police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The police towed the vehicle to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11492695
“My husband was entering the highway and upon acceleration from roughly 35mph to roughly around 50mph (while taking the entrance slight right) all of the air bags deployed”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2021Air bagsODI 11428570
“LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. ON 4 14 2019 WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON 101 FREEWAY IN THOUSAND OAKS CALIFORNIA, A PICKUP TRUCK VEERED INTO MY LANE. WHEN I MOVED OVER TO AVOID THE PICKUP BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS WENT OFF WITH A BANG FILLING CAR WITH POWDERY CLOUD. MY LEFT EAR POPPED FROM THE LOUD BANG BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF ON THE SHOULDER. CALLED 911 AND CA HIGHWAY PATROL CAME OUT AND DID A REPORT. BOTH OFFICERS HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE CAR AND THE CHP TOOK MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE EXTERIOR. MILAGE ON THE CAR AT TIME OF ACCIDENT WAS 117,873 . CHP CUTAWAY THE AIRBAGS AND MY FATHER CAME OUT AND DROVE IT HOME AND THEN TO AUTO SHOP TO EVALUATE. SEAT BELT ALSO STOPPED WORKING NOW THAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. REALLY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2019Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11196449

Showing 6 of 77 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.