IllustrationHAD TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO CRACK. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trailblazer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
2125–50K
4250–75K
3675–100K
27100–150K
18150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
12 reports2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FAILURE TO START AFTER A FAILURE IN ENGINE RUN DURING ENTRY TO HIGHWAY. *BF
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES. * JS
ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH ERROR CODE P0449(EVAPORATIVE EMMISION SYSTEM VENT/VALVE SOLENOID CIRCUIT. *TR
WITH ONLY 55,000 MILES, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. SEEING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND TALKING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFAULT PART. CHEVY SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE. MY MECHANIC HAD TO ORDER THE PART THROUGH THE DEALER AND THEY HAD THE REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD IN STOCK. EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE NOT NORMALLY STOCK …
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WITH ONLY 55,000 MILES, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. SEEING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND TALKING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFAULT PART. CHEVY SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE. MY MECHANIC HAD TO ORDER THE PART THROUGH THE DEALER AND THEY HAD THE REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD IN STOCK. EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE NOT NORMALLY STOCK ITEMS UNLESS THERE IS A REAL HIGH NEED TO REPLACE THEM....... *TR
2008 TRAILBLAZER WITH A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR
2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AT 62,000 MILES QUOTED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE $600-700. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY OCCURRENCES OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THIS BAD MANIFOLD??? *TR
THE GM LS2 ENGINE INSTALLED IN THE TRAILBLAZER SS MODELS HAS A KNOWN OILING ISSUE WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BE STARVED FOR OIL AND THUS, SPINS A ROD BEARING. BEING THAT THE TRAILBLAZER SS IS A LIMITED PRODUCTION VEHICLE, GM HASN'T LIFTED A FINGER TO RECALL OR REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE PROBLEM ONLY EXISTS IN THE TRAILBLAZER…
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THE GM LS2 ENGINE INSTALLED IN THE TRAILBLAZER SS MODELS HAS A KNOWN OILING ISSUE WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BE STARVED FOR OIL AND THUS, SPINS A ROD BEARING. BEING THAT THE TRAILBLAZER SS IS A LIMITED PRODUCTION VEHICLE, GM HASN'T LIFTED A FINGER TO RECALL OR REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE PROBLEM ONLY EXISTS IN THE TRAILBLAZER SS (NOT CORVETTE OR GTO TO MY KNOWLEDGE) DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PAN. *TR
2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS WITH 63,000 MILES DEVELOPED A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SIMILAR INCIDENTS ONLINE. GM SHOULD LOOK INTO A RECALL. *TR
HELLO, I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS OF CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON GMC SUV'S. I HAVE ONE AND HAVE BEEN READING WAY TOO MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS CAUSED BY WHAT 2 MECHANICS SAY IS A BAD DESIGN AND CHEAP PARTS. FOR A $30+ TRUCK, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE A 2008 TRAILBLAZER LT, WITH 50K MILES…
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HELLO, I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS OF CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON GMC SUV'S. I HAVE ONE AND HAVE BEEN READING WAY TOO MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS CAUSED BY WHAT 2 MECHANICS SAY IS A BAD DESIGN AND CHEAP PARTS. FOR A $30+ TRUCK, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE A 2008 TRAILBLAZER LT, WITH 50K MILES. THE COST TO FIX IS AVERAGED AT AROUND $600-$700!!!!! MANY HAVE TO TRY AND TACKLE THIS PROJECT ON THEIR OWN SINCE THAT TYPE OF MONEY ISN'T REALLY JUST LAYING AROUND FOR MOST PEOPLE AND WHAT HAPPENS IS BROKEN BOLTS AND THEN A WHOLE SEPARATE ISSUE. ALSO BEEN PROBLEMS WITH O2 SENSORS BECAUSE OF THE LEAK, SEEMS THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS IF NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A FACTORY/MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF, AT NO COST TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. OR I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR MONEY I NEED TO SPEND TOWARD FIXING IT SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD TO NOT HAVE IT IN DRIVING CONDITION. PROMPT ACTION TO THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. STILL A TRUE GM BELIEVER!!!! BUT COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP HERE AS MANY OTHERS DO. *TR
Official recalls
0No 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
1RQ17002 · 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.