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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
193Owner complaints

Model-year median: 87.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 193 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 65 reports
  • Air Bags: 33 reports
  • Engine: 21 reports
  • Exterior Lighting: 17 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 12 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    1,466
    2005    1,108
    2006    732
    2007    193
    2008    27
    2009
    Compare all Trailblazer years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    65    Air Bags
    33    Engine
    21    Exterior Lighting
    17    Engine And Engine Cooling
    12
    All reported categories
    Seat Belts
    12    Steering
    11    Electronic Stability Control (esc)
    10    Power Train
    10    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    8    Vehicle Speed Control
    8    Suspension
    7    Service Brakes
    6    Structure
    6    Unknown Or Other
    6    Fuel/propulsion System
    5    Visibility
    5    Tires
    4    Fuel System, Gasoline
    3    Traction Control System
    3    Visibility/wiper
    3    Equipment
    1    Equipment Adaptive/mobility
    1    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Service Brakes, Electric
    1    Wheels
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    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

    Visibility/wiper complaints

    3 reports
    Clear category filter
    185,000 miles · May 17, 2018
    Visibility/wiper

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATED WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CHEVYLAND, 7500 YOUREE DRIVE, SHREVEPORT, LA 71105) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE …

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATED WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CHEVYLAND, 7500 YOUREE DRIVE, SHREVEPORT, LA 71105) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

    NHTSA ODI #11096590

    35,000 miles · Mar 7, 2016
    Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiperFire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THE DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL DOOR MECHANISM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR WA…

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THE DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL DOOR MECHANISM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10840370

    102,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
    Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC PANEL FOR THE WINDOWS WAS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE REAR WINDOWS WOULD ELECTRONICALLY OPEN BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE MAIN ELECTRIC PANEL, IT …

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC PANEL FOR THE WINDOWS WAS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE REAR WINDOWS WOULD ELECTRONICALLY OPEN BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE MAIN ELECTRIC PANEL, IT WOULD REQUIRE THE CONTACT TO MANUALLY CLOSE THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102000.

    NHTSA ODI #10574889

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect 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.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.