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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

8 reports
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101,985 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A CUL DE SAC ONE MORNING THAT WAS ON A STEEP SLOPE I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR IN THREE STAGES LIKE IT WAS CATCHING ON SOMETHING AND THEN WOULD RELEASE AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. ONCE I GOT THE VEHICLE STRAIGHTENED …

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WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A CUL DE SAC ONE MORNING THAT WAS ON A STEEP SLOPE I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR IN THREE STAGES LIKE IT WAS CATCHING ON SOMETHING AND THEN WOULD RELEASE AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. ONCE I GOT THE VEHICLE STRAIGHTENED OUT TO GO DOWN THE STEEP HILL IT FELT LIKE IT DOES WHEN A ROTOR GETS WARPED. ONCE I GOT CLOSE TO THE BOTTOM I TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET THAT WAS FLAT AND I STOPPED AND PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND THE BRAKES AND STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE LIGHTS COMING ON HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (LISTED IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO FOLLOW). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454750

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

48,337 miles · Jan 27, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AFTER STOPPING ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT COULD NOT MOVE. APPEARED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKES WERE LOCKED. TRIED CHANGING GEARS BUT NO CHANGE. NO WARNING LIGHTS. FINALLY TURNED ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445626

5,012 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STABILITY TRACK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STABILITY TRACK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WOULD FEEL ABNORMALLY SOFT AND SPONGY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER SIX TIMES YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,012 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ODI #10345945

38,000 miles · May 18, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10330956

13,800 miles · May 16, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SS WITH 13800 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON CITY STREETS WHEN MY BRAKES APPLIED THEM SELVES AND BEGAN TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL HEAVILY SO THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH VEHICLES TURNING…

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I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER SS WITH 13800 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON CITY STREETS WHEN MY BRAKES APPLIED THEM SELVES AND BEGAN TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL HEAVILY SO THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH VEHICLES TURNING AHEAD OF ME AND ALSO VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I GOT TO A SAFE AREA AND PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE GAS PEDAL WAS FIRM AS CAN BE AND WOULD NOT LOOSEN UP, I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THE BRAKES DISENGAGED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY WHERE UN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME WITH NO REPAIRS COMPLETED. I ASKED THEM TO DOCUMENT THIS IN CASE IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND CAUSES A CRASH SO THEY CAN BE HELD LIABLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OPERATING MY VEHICLE ANYMORE KNOWING THAT AT ANY TIME MY BRAKES MIGHT TURN ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330602

24,000 miles · Mar 24, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE THE BRAKES BY SHIFTING GEARS AND APPLY CONSTANT, STEADY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE BRAKE RELEASED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE THE BRAKES BY SHIFTING GEARS AND APPLY CONSTANT, STEADY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE BRAKE RELEASED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED. HE ABRUPTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A POTENTIAL CRASH. HE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING BOTH FAILURES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,225 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #10321715

5,272 miles · Apr 28, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT ON A SLIGHT HILL. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I TRIED TO MOVE AHEAD AND ALL 4 BRAKES HAD LOCKED UP AND I HAD NO FORWARD MOTION. I PUSHED HAD ON GAS PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO CREEP AT ABOUT 1 MPH TO A DRIVEWAY. WHEN I ENTERED DRIVEWAY I HEARD A "CLINK" AND BRAKES RELEASED.THIS VEH HAS 5200 MILES AND IS A 2008 T…

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I WAS STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT ON A SLIGHT HILL. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I TRIED TO MOVE AHEAD AND ALL 4 BRAKES HAD LOCKED UP AND I HAD NO FORWARD MOTION. I PUSHED HAD ON GAS PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO CREEP AT ABOUT 1 MPH TO A DRIVEWAY. WHEN I ENTERED DRIVEWAY I HEARD A "CLINK" AND BRAKES RELEASED.THIS VEH HAS 5200 MILES AND IS A 2008 TRAILBLAZER SS AWD. THIS IS THE 1ST INSTANCE OF THIS TYPE.I TOOK IT TO MY SERVICING CHEVY DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THAT "MECHANICALLY " IT WAS FINE. THEY CONTACTED CHEVROLET TAC AND WERE TOLD THIS HAS NEVER EVER HAPPENED IN THE WHOLE DATA BASE FOR GM AND NO REPAIRS AUTHORIZED TILL IT CAN BE REPLICATED FOR THEM TO SEE. THERE WERE NO CODES STORED . THIS HAPPENED 0N 4-25-09. I WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 4-28-09 AND THE AGAIN CALLED TAC TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYONE WHO HAD INFO ON THIS TYPE OF FAILURE OF THE BRAKES....BUT AGAIN NO LUCK. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE DOING MORE THAN LIP SERVICE.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267152

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.