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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
160,000 miles · Sep 10, 2017
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY LIGHTS JUST WENT OFF. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME BACK ON. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS STILL WORKED AND I DROVE HOME WITH MY BRIGHTS ON. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TURNE…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY LIGHTS JUST WENT OFF. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME BACK ON. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS STILL WORKED AND I DROVE HOME WITH MY BRIGHTS ON. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE CAR I TRIED THEM AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY CAME ON NORMALLY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AT NIGHT THAT THEY JUST WENT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11022567

184,000 miles · Jul 10, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 83073848929. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT OFFERING A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 83073848929. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT OFFERING ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 184,000. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #11004062

150,000 miles · Jun 29, 2017
Electrical System

MY SON AND I WERE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE.... CAR JUST DIED, NO WARNING. I HAD TO VEER SUDDENLY TO THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE RAMP OR TAKE A CHANCE ON THE SHOULDER. SINCE THIS FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS ALSO NOT WANTED TO START. I THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ALARM LOCKING ME OUT , BUT IT APPEARS IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE …

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MY SON AND I WERE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE.... CAR JUST DIED, NO WARNING. I HAD TO VEER SUDDENLY TO THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE RAMP OR TAKE A CHANCE ON THE SHOULDER. SINCE THIS FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS ALSO NOT WANTED TO START. I THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ALARM LOCKING ME OUT , BUT IT APPEARS IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAR HAS ON MULTIPLY TIME DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I'VE TRIED REACHING OUT TO CHEVY AND GM BUT, EACH IS WANTING ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON THIS. I DON'T WANT TO DIE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THEIR FAULTY IGNITION. PLEASE HELP US.

NHTSA ODI #11002371

100,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THIS EFFECTED BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND LOW BEAMS. HIGH BEAMS ARE STILL OPERATIONAL. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE EASILY SHOWS THAT THE ISSUE IS A FAULTY HEADLIGHT RELAY. I EVEN TRIED TO REPLACE BOTH BULBS AND CHECKED ALL FUSES TO VERIFY. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF F…

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WHILE DRIVING BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THIS EFFECTED BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND LOW BEAMS. HIGH BEAMS ARE STILL OPERATIONAL. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE EASILY SHOWS THAT THE ISSUE IS A FAULTY HEADLIGHT RELAY. I EVEN TRIED TO REPLACE BOTH BULBS AND CHECKED ALL FUSES TO VERIFY. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF FREI CHEVROLET IN MARQUETTE MICHIGAN AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN TELL ME IF THEY HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME THAT I DEAL WITH THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10993731

100,000 miles · Apr 21, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED TO DROP, THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED TO DROP, THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND HAD INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10979761

75,000 miles · Dec 12, 2016
Electrical System

75K ON 2008 TRAILBLAZER.... INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND AUDIO DISPLAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO COLD TEMPS? THEY ARE OFF AT STARTUP BUT AS SUV IS DRIVEN AND WARMS UP... THE AUDIO DISPLAY APPEARS. THE RADIO/CD PLAYER WORK EVEN WHEN THE DISPLAY IS OFF. JUST STARTED HAPPENING THIS FALL (2016). ALSO.. THE LOW TI…

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75K ON 2008 TRAILBLAZER.... INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND AUDIO DISPLAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO COLD TEMPS? THEY ARE OFF AT STARTUP BUT AS SUV IS DRIVEN AND WARMS UP... THE AUDIO DISPLAY APPEARS. THE RADIO/CD PLAYER WORK EVEN WHEN THE DISPLAY IS OFF. JUST STARTED HAPPENING THIS FALL (2016). ALSO.. THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON ONLY IN COLD TEMPS BUT GOES OUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10934897

76,000 miles · Nov 21, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL GAUGE IS FLUCTUATING FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND THE EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES NOW OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. THE ISSUE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION, IF THE VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS UNKNOWINGLY DUE TO THIS INACCURATE GAUGE CONDITION. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESEARCH SOME DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE O…

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THE FUEL GAUGE IS FLUCTUATING FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND THE EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES NOW OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. THE ISSUE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A STALL CONDITION, IF THE VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS UNKNOWINGLY DUE TO THIS INACCURATE GAUGE CONDITION. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESEARCH SOME DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE ON NHTSA, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ANY SOLUTION BEING OFFERED BY GM.

NHTSA ODI #10927262

120,000 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

I HAVE HAD MY 2008 TRAILBLAER FOR A YEAR NOW. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS INCLUDING MY BATTERY LIGHT AND OTHER POPPING UP RAMDONLY AND MY TRUCK NOT WANTING TO DRIVE OR RUN RIGHT. NOW MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS COMPLETELY CRACKED THRU,

NHTSA ODI #10925060

85,000 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS BURNT OUT AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10919181

110,000 miles · Oct 10, 2016
Electrical System

TAKATA RECALL, MY 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT AND FOR THE PAST YEAR IT SEEMS THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTH. EVERY NOW AND THEN MY CAR WONT START AND I HAVE TO GET A BOOST OFF TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK MY SUV TO GET THE BATTERY AND ALTERNA…

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TAKATA RECALL, MY 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT AND FOR THE PAST YEAR IT SEEMS THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTH. EVERY NOW AND THEN MY CAR WONT START AND I HAVE TO GET A BOOST OFF TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK MY SUV TO GET THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED GREAT. THEN AFTER THAT I NOTICED THAT MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE GOING HAYWIRE WITH BLINKING LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF AND THE CAR WAS NOT ON. AFTER I NOTICED THE BLINKING LIGHTS, I WENT TO TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT WAS DEAD. ALSO, MY FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MOTOR WENT OUT , SO THE WINDOW WONT GO UP OR DOWN.. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF THERE ARE RECALLS ON ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10915092

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.