2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review: An Affordable Mid-size SUV with a Steep Maintenance Bill

The 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a tempting purchase with prices averaging under four grand, but add the cost of fuel and maintenance into the equation and it’s a whole new story. It’s a pretty good extended mid-size SUV, but the cost of ownership may have you considering a compact.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer a Good Used SUV?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – The Trailblazer offers plenty to like, but is ultimately just another mid-size SUV from a model year with more mid-size SUV options than anyone needs.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – The only complaint regarding the interior is the cheap-feeling trim. Other than that, this is a bedroom on wheels.
• Reliability 7/10 – Expect the transmission and engine to go the distance, but prepare for lots of little fixes for various switches, racks, hoses, belts, and gaskets.
• Safety 7/10 – Onboard safety tech may be dated by now, but it’s adequate for a twenty year old SUV.
• Gas Mileage 5/10 – Even by the standards of a 2004 mid-size SUV, the Trailblazer is outmatched by more efficient models from Toyota, Ford, and Honda.
• Value 7/10 – The sticker price is pretty low, but the day-to-day cost of ownership is pretty high.

What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

Consumer Reports found the Trailblazer roomy and comfortable, praising the third row’s hiproom for actually seating three adults. Slow acceleration, lousy fuel economy, wimpy brakes and sloppy handling all earned red marks.

Kelley Blue Book users report that the Trailblazer has proven reliable over the years, and the roomy interior is great for the family. But the consensus is that the acceleration is pretty weak, and interior materials feel cheap.

Edmunds liked the strong engine performance and comfortable ride, they didn’t like the numb steering and low-grade interior materials.

What Common Problems Does the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Have?

Electrical issues make up an overwhelming majority of the problems the 2004 Trailblazer has on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, comprising 780 of 1,367 total complaints. Issues range from glitchy instrument clusters to throttle body failure.

There are 125 complaints on file for the fuel system. This is a lower rate of incidence than the electrical issues, but potentially more worrying, with reports of cracked fuel necks and busted check valves. This can lead to fire hazards at the worst, and wasted fuel at the least.

Powertrain complaints are thankfully scarce, with more electrical issues on file than mechanical issues. If you’re having trouble shifting or you’re losing power on the road, check the throttle body before you assume that the transmission is shot.

In total, the Trailblazer has just two recalls on file with the NHTSA. But, with so many complaints having been registered, maybe the SUV could use a few more recalls.

How Long Will the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Last?

Drivers typically report that the Trailblazer is still running strong well past the 200,000 mile mark. You should expect to get around 250,000 miles on the odometer before the more serious problems start to stack up. Under 200,000 miles, the concern is less with the engine and transmission and more with recurring electrical issues.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost around $524, with the most expensive common fix being a new timing chain tensioner, starting at around $1,952. At that price it might make more sense to scrap the Trailblazer and buy another vehicle.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer is pretty generous considering the model year. Entry level models come with a CD player, and some models even have a DVD player in the back.

Safety technology is good for an SUV this old, but dated by modern standards. Anti-lock brakes and full airbags were about as fancy as it got in 2004, but these days that’s what passes for adequate.

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer a Good Value?

The 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a pretty good value for what you’re getting and for the vehicle’s longevity. If you’re buying an entry level LS with around 160,000 miles on the odometer, that will typically list for around $3,857, and will usually last another hundred thousand miles.

Be that as it may, maintenance and fuel costs might eventually outweigh what you saved on the sticker price. For that reason a used Trailblazer is great for a weekend getaway vehicle, but pretty lousy as a daily driver.

What are the Different Models of the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

The Trailblazer is available in two trim levels, the base LS and the high-end LT. Both trims are available in standard two-row and extended three-row models.

The entry-level LS features:

• Heater and defogger
• Premium cloth bucket seats
• CD player
• Manual dual-zone air conditioning

With the top-of-the-line LT you’re adding:

• Heated mirrors
• Remote keyless entry
• Fog lights

What Engines Come In the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

• In the standard Trailblazer you’ll find a 4.2L inline-six delivering 275 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is paired to a 4-speed automatic and configured in rear wheel drive, averaging 16/21 miles to the gallon.
• Extended Trailblazers can be equipped with a 5.3L Vortec V8 delivering 290 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is four wheel drive capable and paired with a 4-speed automatic, averaging 16/20 miles to the gallon.

What Colors Does the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

The 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer is about as comfortable as it gets outside of the luxury market. You’ve got about 58 inches of hiproom which should be enough to seat most adults three to a row. And if not, you’ve got so much floorspace you could throw some pillows down and take a nap.

Suspension complaints are remarkably scarce, with just 14 on file with the NHTSA. This means that the shocks and struts have held up pretty well over the years, so you should expect the ride to be as smooth now as it was twenty years ago.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Have?

In a standard Trailblazer you’ve got 43.7 cubic feet of cargo space, 80.1 with the seats down. In the extended model, 23.4 with the seats up, and 107.4 with the seats down. Pretty much anything you need to move, if it doesn’t require a box truck or a moving van, you can move it in an extended Trailblazer.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2004 Trailblazer was the third year of the first generation for the nameplate, graduating from an S-10 trim level to its own line.

2002: The Trailblazer launched with four wheel drive, a detachable towing hitch, and independent front suspension.

2003: Chevy upgraded the gas tank to 22 gallons for 2003, and the EXTs were equipped with child-seat anchors.

2004: The LTZ trim level was dropped in 2004, streamlining the list down to the standard and extended LS and LT models.

2005: Chevrolet gave the Trailblazer a fresh new look for 2005, revising the badging and adding some chrome accents along the interior. The seats were improved, as well.

2006: A new sound insulation system helped to address road noise complaints, and the front and rear fascias received a visual redesign.

2007: Dual zone air conditioning became a standard in the LT trim level, and fuel efficiency was improved by 5%.

How Does the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer Compare to the Competition?

The Toyota 4Runner frequently tops best-of-2004 lists. It’s more fuel efficient than the Trailblazer and delivers comparable performance with the 4.7L engine cranking out 245 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. It also costs about three thousand dollars more, on average.

A 2004 Ford Explorer lacks an extended model to compete with a V8 Trailblazer, but it shows comparable performance and longevity as a standard Trailblazer, costs about the same, and runs a little cheaper, averaging an extra mile or two to the gallon.

A Trailblazer might be the most affordable extended mid-size SUV available on the market today. But, if you’re looking for something that will be cheap to maintain and refuel, you might want to reconsider whether you need an extended SUV in the first place.

Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer?