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2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Trailblazer years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 87.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

169 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports11 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

65 reports
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92,082 miles · Oct 17, 2015
Electrical System

ON )9/16/15, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 CHEV TRAILBLAZER ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND THE THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND WAS TOWED BY GLENN'S TOWING SERVICE FARIBAULT MN 55021 TO HARRY BROWN'S SERVICE CENTER FARIBAULT MN 55021. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CHARGED $3…

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ON )9/16/15, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 CHEV TRAILBLAZER ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND THE THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND WAS TOWED BY GLENN'S TOWING SERVICE FARIBAULT MN 55021 TO HARRY BROWN'S SERVICE CENTER FARIBAULT MN 55021. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CHARGED $389.25. I'M CONCERNED IF THEY PUT IN THE SAME SWITCH WITH A DEFECT OR ONE THAT HAS BEEN IMPROVED TO ELIMINATE THE DEFECT AS CHEVROLET HAS BEEN RECALLING IGNITION SWITCHES ON OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT THE TRAILBLAZER. I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T GET HIT WHEN THE TRUCK STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI #10783113

76,000 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Electrical System

THE DRIVER DOOR MODULE DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT RAINS. I TOOK THIS TO A DEALER AND AFTER THEY TESTED IT TOLD ME IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED $500. FOR PART PLUS LABOR THAT THEY COULD NOT QUOTE. I CHECKED ON LINE TO FIND OUT IF GM HAD RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND FOUND THAT THEY DID 2004 - 2007 MINE IS A 2008 EXPERIENCES THE EXACT ISS…

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THE DRIVER DOOR MODULE DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT RAINS. I TOOK THIS TO A DEALER AND AFTER THEY TESTED IT TOLD ME IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED $500. FOR PART PLUS LABOR THAT THEY COULD NOT QUOTE. I CHECKED ON LINE TO FIND OUT IF GM HAD RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND FOUND THAT THEY DID 2004 - 2007 MINE IS A 2008 EXPERIENCES THE EXACT ISSUES THAT THE OTHERS HAD BUT GM CAN'T HELP ME BECAUSE MY VIN # IS NOT LISTED. WHY DID GM NOT TRY TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE? WHEN OVER 184,000 VEHICLES WHERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO SEE IF I CAN GET HELP TO REPLACE THIS? I WOULDN'T ASK BUT I FEEL ITS ONLY RIGHT TO REPLACE IT AFTER ALL THOSE VEHICLES WHERE RECALLED AND MINE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS APPARENTLY IT LEAKS IN THE DOOR SOME HOW AND IT GETS WET AND WANT WORK IT CONTROLS SEAT HEAT, ALL DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS AND DRIVER WINDOW. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2014 AND IT HAS DONE IT EVERY SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT BY THE TIME IT GETS BACK TO THE DEALER ITS WORKING AGAIN. USUALLY A DAY OR SO AND IT WILL WORK. THIS TIME ITS NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #10780601

89,471 miles · May 5, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION BACK TO THE OFF POSITION AND OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE HEAD LAMP DRIVING MODULE RELAY ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTING…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION BACK TO THE OFF POSITION AND OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE HEAD LAMP DRIVING MODULE RELAY ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCESSORY BOARD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,471.

NHTSA ODI #10714751

79,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THE TRUCK WAS DEAD. IT HAS SINCE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AT 82,000. THE NUMBER 4 POSITION ON THE BLOWER DOES NOT WORK. THE STABILTRAK LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DON…

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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THE TRUCK WAS DEAD. IT HAS SINCE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AT 82,000. THE NUMBER 4 POSITION ON THE BLOWER DOES NOT WORK. THE STABILTRAK LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705981

25,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. WILL NOT COME ON NOW! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR SAFETY REASONS. I AM 73 YEARS OLD AND AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND ALSO DAYTIME WITH NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SOLUTION SO I CAN HAVE DEALER GET IT FIXED. LOYAL …

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WHILE DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. WILL NOT COME ON NOW! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR SAFETY REASONS. I AM 73 YEARS OLD AND AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND ALSO DAYTIME WITH NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SOLUTION SO I CAN HAVE DEALER GET IT FIXED. LOYAL CHEVROLET CUSTOMER FOR 50 YEARS THAT NEEDS DESPERATE HELP. THANK YOU! *TR ## VIN PASSED ## CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT2 2008 ##

NHTSA ODI #10695072

65,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT. WE REPLACED BULBS, THEY WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME. LOW BEAMS WENT OUT TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER. WENT TO LOCAL GARAGE, THEY REPLACED WIRE FROM BATTERY TO LIGHTS AS THEY WERE NOT GETTING ANY POWER. LIGHTS WORKED FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. TRAILBLAZER WAS IN SHOP FOR A WEEK, UNABLE TO FIND ISSUE. CALLED CHE…

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LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT. WE REPLACED BULBS, THEY WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME. LOW BEAMS WENT OUT TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER. WENT TO LOCAL GARAGE, THEY REPLACED WIRE FROM BATTERY TO LIGHTS AS THEY WERE NOT GETTING ANY POWER. LIGHTS WORKED FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. TRAILBLAZER WAS IN SHOP FOR A WEEK, UNABLE TO FIND ISSUE. CALLED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A 2007 WHICH HAS A RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. FOUND IT WAS A 2008, NO RECALL. FOUND BAD/BURNT/EXPLODED FUSE LABELED 15016745. HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683377

56,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD A BAD IMPACT SENSOR. HAD TO REPLACE TO PASS INSPECTION. SUV ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667838

61,553 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,553. UPDATED 02/24/15*LJ UPDATED 06/10/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10667570

89,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsInjury

WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, BOTH CURTAIN SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT SAME TIME. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, SO I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE PUSHED ME OVER SO HARD THAT IT BROKE MY CENTER CONSOLE. MY LOWER BACK STILL HURTS, BUT I AM HOPING THE PAIN WIL…

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, BOTH CURTAIN SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT SAME TIME. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, SO I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE PUSHED ME OVER SO HARD THAT IT BROKE MY CENTER CONSOLE. MY LOWER BACK STILL HURTS, BUT I AM HOPING THE PAIN WILL GO AWAY. MY LEFT EAR IS STILL RINGING AND HAS NOT RETURNED TO NORMAL HEARING YET CAUSED FROM THE EXPLODING NOISE FROM THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. BOTH OF THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL NOT WORK AND THE DASHBOARD HAS SO MANY LIGHTS GOING OFF, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SAID THE DAMAGES COULD RUN AS MUCH AS $4000.00 WHICH I DO NOT HAVE AND MY INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER THIS SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED THIS. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. ALSO SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY VEHICLES DOING THIS. AFTER RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ALOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659356

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

MY FAN BLOWER QUIT WORKING ON SOME SETTINGS (0-5 AVAILABLE, ONLY 1,2, AND 3 MAKE FAN WORK). I BOUGHT A NEW BLOWER RESISTOR TO REPLACE IT, AND WHEN I TRIED TO DISCONNECT THE OLD ONE, I DISCOVERED WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAD FUSED THE HARNESS TO THE RESISTOR. I WAS ABLE TO BREAK THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE RESISTOR, B…

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

NHTSA ODI #10648586

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

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.