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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

What owners actually said

193 reports
77,000 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Air BagsCrash

WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH AND WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WAS ON A CITY STREET WITH A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT. GOING STRAIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11143666

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2018
Air Bags

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED THE DEALER. BROUGHT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. THEY SCANNNED CODES (OUR TPS) LIGHT HAD BEEN ON. FAULTY PPS AIR BAG MODULE $1150.00 TO FIX IT. TOLD THEM GO AHEAD. WHAT COULD I DO, THIS IS THURSDAY. THERE WAS NO SENSOR TO BE FOUND, THEY SAID GM HAD A BACK ORDER OF THIS PART, WENT HOME (SLO…

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MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED THE DEALER. BROUGHT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. THEY SCANNNED CODES (OUR TPS) LIGHT HAD BEEN ON. FAULTY PPS AIR BAG MODULE $1150.00 TO FIX IT. TOLD THEM GO AHEAD. WHAT COULD I DO, THIS IS THURSDAY. THERE WAS NO SENSOR TO BE FOUND, THEY SAID GM HAD A BACK ORDER OF THIS PART, WENT HOME (SLOWLY) THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME ON FRIDAY. CALLED THE DEALER SAID THEY LOCATED ONE IN KENTUCKY. I ASKED IF THEY COULD GET IT OVERNIGHT, TO WHICH THEY SAID NO. MY CONCERN IS IF AIRBAGS ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR 'SAFETY" PARTS READILY AVAILABLE PARTS SHOULD BE WITHIN A 24HR RANGE. SAFTETY IS MY CONCERN. TOLD THE DEALSHIP THAT WE WERE VERY SCARED AND UNHAAPPY. MAYBE ITS TIME TO LOOK AT OTHER CARS THE GMC IS NOT WHAT THEY USED TO BE. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT WITHOUT AN AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI #11133585

143,339 miles · Sep 5, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING (LOSING PROPULSION, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC.) AND THE KEY WILL NOT RESTART WHEN TURNED FORWARD (IN NEUTRAL), WHILE COASTING, BUT WILL RESTART WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED BACK AND THEN FORWARD AGAIN. IN THIS CASE, COASTING DOWN AND BRAKING AND TURNING RIGHT, POSSIBLY WITH RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON. DIED RIGHT BEFO…

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ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING (LOSING PROPULSION, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC.) AND THE KEY WILL NOT RESTART WHEN TURNED FORWARD (IN NEUTRAL), WHILE COASTING, BUT WILL RESTART WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED BACK AND THEN FORWARD AGAIN. IN THIS CASE, COASTING DOWN AND BRAKING AND TURNING RIGHT, POSSIBLY WITH RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON. DIED RIGHT BEFORE STARTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH. IT WAS A CLEAR DRY 100 DEGREE AFTERNOON, ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT. WE LIVE ON A BUMPY DIRT ROAD THAT IS JUST OVER A QUARTER OF A MILE LONG TO REACH OUR HOUSE. SIMILAR TO OTHER GM IGNITION KEY / NO AIR BAG RECALL PROGRAMS FOR SIMILAR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, SUCH AS THE HHR. THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THIS HAPPEN TO? ANY DEATHS, YET? I DON'T BELIEVE THE AIR BAGS MAY HAVE WORKED, SHOULD WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO INFORMATION SHOWN IN THE DIVER INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAY (DIC) AND THERE WERE WARNING LIGHTS ON IN THE DASHBOARD, TO INDICATE THAT THE POWER WAS ON TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (IC), BUT THAT THE MOTOR WAS OFF. I COULD NOT SELECT BRAKES AND STEERING AS BEING AFFECTED, BUT WITH NO MOTOR, THERE IS NO VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTING GOING ON, AND NO POWER STEERING EITHER.

NHTSA ODI #11124643

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2018
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH BIG O BIG FOOT X/T TIRES, SIZE: 245/65R/17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE LOST TREAD WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG O TIRES WHERE IT WAS CONFIRM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EQUIPPED WITH BIG O BIG FOOT X/T TIRES, SIZE: 245/65R/17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE LOST TREAD WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIG O TIRES WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE, DOT NUMBER, AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11098745

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 …

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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

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2018
Tires

TIRE BLEW OUT AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO GUARD RAIL. I HAD TO PULL OFF EXIT IN UNFAMILIAR CITY IN A BAD AREA AND CALL EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. EVERY TIRE HAS LEAKED AIR SINCE PURCHASING AND HAS HAD TO BE RESEALED AND SIDEWALLS ALL LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE CRACKING APART. I HAVE CONTACTED COOPER SEVE…

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TIRE BLEW OUT AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO GUARD RAIL. I HAD TO PULL OFF EXIT IN UNFAMILIAR CITY IN A BAD AREA AND CALL EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. EVERY TIRE HAS LEAKED AIR SINCE PURCHASING AND HAS HAD TO BE RESEALED AND SIDEWALLS ALL LOOKED LIKE THEY ARE CRACKING APART. I HAVE CONTACTED COOPER SEVERAL TIMES TO GET NO SOLUTION AND A [XXX] RESPONSE. THEY ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MATTER FOR 2 AND HALF YEARS NOW! THE STORE WERE PURCHASED SAID I HAD TO CONTACT COOPER NOT THEM. EVERY TIRE IN THIS LINE HAS BEEN RECALLED EXCEPT THIS SIZE! NOW I GET TO SPEND ANOTHER $1000 ON NEW TIRES WHEN THESE AREN'T EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY BUT COOPER WON'T DO ANYTHING EVEN THO MY MECHANIC SAYS THEY ARE FAULTY. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11092405

13,586 miles · Feb 28, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE AIR BAG IS THE ISSUE IT SAYS IT NEEDS SERVICED NOT FOR SURE IF ANYTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11075553

38,000 miles · Feb 17, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

SMELLED GAS ODOR FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. CRAWLED UNDER AND FOUND GAS TANK LEAK AT THE CONNECTION OF FILLER PIPE TO TANK/CHECK VALVE. UNDERSTAND THIS WAS KNOWN DEFECT ON EARLIER YEARS AND TANKS WER COVERED BY A SPECIAL COVERAGE PLAN 14423. ANY EXTENSIONS FOR LATER (2008) MODEL YEARS?

NHTSA ODI #11073407

111,567 miles · Nov 30, 2017
Engine

NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING WHEN I REACH SPEEDS OF ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH IT LOSES POWER, THE TACH. EVEN DECLINES IN IT'S READING. IT'S LIKE SOMEONE IS BEHIND ME WITH A ROPE, AND STEPPING ON THEIR BRAKES, SLOWING ME DOWN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M GOING STRAIGHT DOWN A STREET, MAKING N…

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NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING WHEN I REACH SPEEDS OF ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH IT LOSES POWER, THE TACH. EVEN DECLINES IN IT'S READING. IT'S LIKE SOMEONE IS BEHIND ME WITH A ROPE, AND STEPPING ON THEIR BRAKES, SLOWING ME DOWN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M GOING STRAIGHT DOWN A STREET, MAKING NO TURNS, AND LET IT BASICALLY IDLE ROLL DOWN THE STREET. ALL THE WHILE, IT IS IN GEAR, ENGINE RUNNING, AND IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET

NHTSA ODI #11051403

142,000 miles · Nov 20, 2017
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SIDE AIR BAGS JUST DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #11047425

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.