IllustrationDIM HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BRIGHT LIGHTS WORKED, BUT NO DIMS.
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
What owners actually said
193 reportsTHERE'S A PROBLEM AFTER BRAKING WHICH CAUSES A FEW SECOND DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A SLOW SPEED, SUPPOSEDLY PART OF THE STABILITRAK/ABS SYSTEM CAUSED BY A FAULTY SENSOR. I HAVE ALMOST HAD A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS WHEN WAITING TO TURN IN A LEFT TURN LANE.
REAR HATCH LICENSE PLATE LAMPS BLOWING OUT, FLICKERING ALSO HATCH LOCK CLICKS REPEATEDLY, WITHOUT TOUCHING ELECTRIC LOCK BUTTONS. WHEN OPENING THE HATCH THE LICENSE LIGHTS GO ON/OFF ON/OFF. THE HATCH LOCK CLICKS REPEATEDLY. THE HATCH WIRE HARNESS COVERED WITH A 'RUBBER BOOT/SLEEVE', WHEN MOVED CAUSES LOCK CLICKING AND PLATE LIGH…
Read full complaint
REAR HATCH LICENSE PLATE LAMPS BLOWING OUT, FLICKERING ALSO HATCH LOCK CLICKS REPEATEDLY, WITHOUT TOUCHING ELECTRIC LOCK BUTTONS. WHEN OPENING THE HATCH THE LICENSE LIGHTS GO ON/OFF ON/OFF. THE HATCH LOCK CLICKS REPEATEDLY. THE HATCH WIRE HARNESS COVERED WITH A 'RUBBER BOOT/SLEEVE', WHEN MOVED CAUSES LOCK CLICKING AND PLATE LIGHTS FLICKERING. THE HATCH LOCK INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK. VEHICLE USUALLY PARKED. OBVIOUSLY UNABLE TO SEE LICENSE LAMPS WHEN IN MOTION.
MY 2008 TRAILBLAZER POWERS DOWN AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ACCELERATION I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS TO CARS BEHIND ME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CRASHED AND REAR ENDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AT 53 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEVERE CONCUSSION & ALMOST BIT HIS TON…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CRASHED AND REAR ENDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AT 53 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEVERE CONCUSSION & ALMOST BIT HIS TONGUE OFF WITH HIS HEAD SMASHING INTO THE WINDSHIELD. HE ALSO SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES ON HIS LOWER BODY AND LEGS AND A BRUISED NECK. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED WITH THE WHOLE FRONT SMASHED IN UP TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *LN*JB
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THE CODE IS: B0026 DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DEPLOY.
I WENT TO CLOSE MY HATCHBACK ON MY 2008 TRAILBLAZER YESTER AND AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR A FEW SECONDS LATER THE GLASS EXPLODED. SOME ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND SOME ON THE OUTSIDE. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE A CUT ON MY FINGER THAT MAY NEED STITCHES. I HEAR THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS.
WHILE TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS STABILITRAK ACTIVATES SHUTTING POWER OFF TO THE WHEELS ONCE YOU RELEASE GAS PETAL FOR 5-10 SECONDS STABILITRAK WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AND ALLOW POWER BACK TO WHEELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOU PULL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANY STREET AND YOU LOOSE POWER, YOU COULD GET HIT
LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE WEEKS NOW LOW BEAMS RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. AIRBAG SENSOR KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF AND THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE AIRBAG SENSOR SEEMS TO COME ON MORE ON LONGER TRIPS AROUND THE CITY WITH MORE TURNS…
Read full complaint
LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE WEEKS NOW LOW BEAMS RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. AIRBAG SENSOR KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF AND THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE AIRBAG SENSOR SEEMS TO COME ON MORE ON LONGER TRIPS AROUND THE CITY WITH MORE TURNS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FASTEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT, HE NOTICED THAT THE BELT WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FASTEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT, HE NOTICED THAT THE BELT WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
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.