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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

Equipment Adaptive/mobility complaints

1 reports
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56,000 miles · Feb 6, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Equipment Adaptive/mobilityService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING THE 2008 TRAILBLAZER I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE TRAVEL GOING ALL OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WITH HARDLY ANY BRAKING FUNCTION OR STOPPING ACTION. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND WOULD NOT HAPPEN MORE THEN ONCE OR TWICE AT FIRST. THEN WHEN I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND I HIT A …

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WHILE DRIVING THE 2008 TRAILBLAZER I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE TRAVEL GOING ALL OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WITH HARDLY ANY BRAKING FUNCTION OR STOPPING ACTION. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND WOULD NOT HAPPEN MORE THEN ONCE OR TWICE AT FIRST. THEN WHEN I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND I HIT A CEMENT DIVIDER DAMAGING THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. YOU WOULD BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND STEP ON THE BRAKES AS YOU WOULD BE COASTING INTO OR COMING UP TO A STOP. YOU WOULD LET UP ON THE PEDAL THEN HIT IT AGAIN, THE 2ND TIME LOOSING ALL BRAKE PRESSURE AND FUNCTION. I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE GM DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THERE WERE NO FLUID LEAKS, OR ANY TYPE OF BRAKE ROTOR DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP CAME BACK SAYING THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS ON A CHEVROLET TRUCK, 4X4 THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HEAVY DUTY OFF ROAD CAPABLE PACKAGE. GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNDER ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY CLAIM. THE REPAIR COST ME CLOSE TO $800, AND LOSS OF VEHICLE USE, ALONG WITH THE BUMPER DAMAGE. I HAVE OWNED OVER A DOZEN GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES TO DATE OVER A 30 YEAR PERIOD. I HAVE NEVER, EVER HAD A MASTER CYLINDER FAIL ON ANY OF THEM. THIS IS A POOR QUALITY CONTROLLED COMPONENT AND I WANT G.M. TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPAIRS AND DAMAGES. I HAVE RAISED THIS ISSUE THROUGH THE GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446927

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.