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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

Air Bags complaints

33 reports
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92,557 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF A CITY STREET AT ONLY 30 MPH BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS STARTLED BUT QUICKLY LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF I HAD HIT ANYTHING OR HAD BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. I WAS STILL MOVING FORWARD AND AS SOON AS SAFELY POSSIBLE PULLED THE CAR OVER AND GOT OUT TO INSPECT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. T…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF A CITY STREET AT ONLY 30 MPH BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS STARTLED BUT QUICKLY LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF I HAD HIT ANYTHING OR HAD BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. I WAS STILL MOVING FORWARD AND AS SOON AS SAFELY POSSIBLE PULLED THE CAR OVER AND GOT OUT TO INSPECT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION WITH ANY OTHER OBJECT OR CAR AND THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN ON AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT AND REQUESTED A TOW. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS SINCE DETERMINED THAT SINCE THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISION THAT THE CAUSE MUST BE FROM A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE BODY SHOP HAS RUN THE CODES FROM THE ON BOARD COMPUTER AND THEY ARE B0051,B0058,B0062,B0065,B0070, AND U7300. EXCEPT FOR THE U7300 THE REST ARE STATING THE OBVIOUS THAT THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT TENSIONERS HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A SECTION OF ROAD THAT WAS CURVED I DO NOT THINK THAT I COULD HAVE MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543828

69,525 miles · May 21, 2013
Air Bags

DRIVING AT 45MPH AND HIT A POTHOLE, BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THE TECH SAID THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO TIRES, WHEELS OR SUSPENSION SO THAT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. IT WILL HAVE TO BE AN INSURANCE CLAIM BECAUSE YOU WERE DRIVING AT THE TIME. TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID THERE ARE SCUFFS ON THE TIR…

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DRIVING AT 45MPH AND HIT A POTHOLE, BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THE TECH SAID THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO TIRES, WHEELS OR SUSPENSION SO THAT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. IT WILL HAVE TO BE AN INSURANCE CLAIM BECAUSE YOU WERE DRIVING AT THE TIME. TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID THERE ARE SCUFFS ON THE TIRES AND RIMS AND IT WAS ENOUGH JOLT TO SET OFF THE AIRBAGS SO THEY WERE WORKING AS DESIGNED. IT WILL HAVE TO BE AN INSURANCE CLAIM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513020

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2013
Air Bags

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED EARLY IN THE MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK. AS I WAS DRIVING, I CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND MADE MY RIGHT HAND TURN LIKE I ALWAYS DO. I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND MY SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES. IT SCARED ME & MY DAUGHTER SO BAD, AND IT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND HIT THE CURB ON THE LEFT SID…

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THE INCIDENT HAPPENED EARLY IN THE MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK. AS I WAS DRIVING, I CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND MADE MY RIGHT HAND TURN LIKE I ALWAYS DO. I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND MY SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES. IT SCARED ME & MY DAUGHTER SO BAD, AND IT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND HIT THE CURB ON THE LEFT SIDE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DEPLOYED LIKE THEY DID. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!! IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BY THE FACTORY!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505729

50,000 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TWO SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TWO SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10499537

47,000 miles · Feb 17, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. AS A RESULT THE SEAT BELTS NO LONG FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498407

104,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Air BagsSeat Belts

ON MAY 24, 2012- I WAS TRAVELING OUT OUR MILE LONG GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. HALF WAY DOWN THE DRIVEWAY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH- THEY JUST CAME OUT. I CONTACTED GM. THEY FINALLY SENT OUT A 3RD PARTY INVESTIGATOR TO INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A ROLL-OVER E…

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ON MAY 24, 2012- I WAS TRAVELING OUT OUR MILE LONG GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. HALF WAY DOWN THE DRIVEWAY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH- THEY JUST CAME OUT. I CONTACTED GM. THEY FINALLY SENT OUT A 3RD PARTY INVESTIGATOR TO INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A ROLL-OVER EVENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL-OVER. GM TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN INSURANCE ISSUE. INSURANCE COMPANY SAYS IT IS A MECHANICAL ISSUE AND WAS GM'S PROBLEM TO FIX. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE STILL SITS WITH BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS OUT AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELTS ARE LOCKED IN PLACE. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472374

32,000 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Air Bags

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE WITH AN ADULT OF 120 POUNDS SITTING IN IT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND CHANGES WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY CHEVY AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT I MUST SIT PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. I ALWAYS WEAR MY SEATBELT. I AM 5'7' AND WEIGH 120 LBS. IF I CROSS MY LEGS OR PUT MY FEET CLOSE TO THE S…

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THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE WITH AN ADULT OF 120 POUNDS SITTING IN IT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND CHANGES WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY CHEVY AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT I MUST SIT PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. I ALWAYS WEAR MY SEATBELT. I AM 5'7' AND WEIGH 120 LBS. IF I CROSS MY LEGS OR PUT MY FEET CLOSE TO THE SEAT (RATHER THAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME) THE AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT DISENGAGE. OFTEN, THE AIRBAG DOES NOT ENGAGE EVEN THOUGH I AM SITTING "PROPERLY." I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SEE A CODE. I SHOULD ALSO SIT CLOSER TO THE FRONT OF THE SEAT. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED AT ABOUT 32,000 MILES AND WAS FIXED. NOW I HAVE ABOUT 62,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THERE IS NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN, SO APPARENTLY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WOULD LIKE IT LOOKED INTO AND RESOLVED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454876

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2010
Air BagsService Brakes, ElectricCrash

I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE INTO THE RIGHT TURN LANE AND THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT ENGAGE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, TRAVELING SEVERAL YARDS UNTIL THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND ONSTAR DID NOT ACTIVATE. *…

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I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE INTO THE RIGHT TURN LANE AND THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT ENGAGE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, TRAVELING SEVERAL YARDS UNTIL THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND ONSTAR DID NOT ACTIVATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345288

1,066 miles · Mar 26, 2009
Air BagsSeat Belts

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH MY FALSE AND DELAYED SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, REPORT DATE OF MARCH 25, 2009. I JUST DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT SYSTEMS MUST BE REPLACED. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS LIMP. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS SO TIGHT IT NOT ONLY BROKE TOP OF THE BELT HOUSING ON TOP OF THE SEAT…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH MY FALSE AND DELAYED SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, REPORT DATE OF MARCH 25, 2009. I JUST DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT SYSTEMS MUST BE REPLACED. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS LIMP. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS SO TIGHT IT NOT ONLY BROKE TOP OF THE BELT HOUSING ON TOP OF THE SEAT (PIECES), THE BELT IS SO TIGHT IT IS DEFORMING THE SEAT. I CANT IMAGINE WHAT THIS WOULD HAVE DONE TO A PASSENGER, HAD I HAVE HAD ONE IN THAT SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263133

1,065 miles · Mar 17, 2009
Air Bags

SIDE WINDOW AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, DEPLOYED VIRTUALLY SECONDS AFTER I MADE A SUDDEN ABRUPT MANEUVER (IN AVOIDANCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE). I WAS NORMALLY PROCEEDING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROADWAY AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED RAPIDLY AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DRIVERS SIDE DEPLOYED VERY SLOWLY AS IF IN SLOW MOTION. I…

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SIDE WINDOW AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, DEPLOYED VIRTUALLY SECONDS AFTER I MADE A SUDDEN ABRUPT MANEUVER (IN AVOIDANCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE). I WAS NORMALLY PROCEEDING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROADWAY AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED RAPIDLY AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DRIVERS SIDE DEPLOYED VERY SLOWLY AS IF IN SLOW MOTION. IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEE TO TURN LEFT I CONTACTED A CURB AND RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE (RIGHT FRONT). THESE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AND ESPECIALLY MOMENTS AFTER MY MANEUVER. G.M. HAS CONCLUDED THAT I EXPERIENCED A NEAR ROLLOVER SITUATION, AND THAT ALL SENSORS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. G.M. HAS DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE ON THE AIRBAG AND HEADLINER (AS A RESULT OF DEPLOYMENT) REPLACEMENT, THAT IS THE ONLY EXISTING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WITH 1066 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS SITTING AT THE DEALER WITH ITS ESTIMATE OF $4000.00 TO RESET ALL. I AM SURE THAT THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY THAT THIS WILL RE-OCCUR. NOBODY CAN OR WILL ANSWER OR ADDRESS MY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE THAT, NOT ONLY ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED, BUT SUBSTANTIALLY LATE IN THE MATER OF ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENT. I AM CONSIDERING CANCELING MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AS I MAY NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE THROUGH THE COURSE OF ITS MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AS A RESULT OF THIS UNNERVING EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262132

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.