2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer vs 2004 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer | 2004 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,081 | 1,304 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 701 | 109 |
| Investigations | 4 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 56 | 58 |
| Fire reports | 31 | 15 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16 | 15–16 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 68,720 mi | 65,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Trailblazer | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 627 | 55 |
| Power Train | 62 | 460 |
| Structure | 23 | 426 |
| Visibility | 28 | 100 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 38 | 76 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 93 | 19 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 39 | 71 |
| Exterior Lighting | 101 | 7 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 48 | 103 |
| Check engine light | 48 | 14 |
| Rust / corrosion | 29 | 33 |
| Loss of power | 11 | 13 |
| Vibration / shaking | 11 | 35 |
| Clunking / rattling | 8 | 57 |
| Hesitation / surging | 7 | 107 |
| Airbag warning light | 7 | 0 |
2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer
2004 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.