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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

Engine complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2022
Engine

I was driving on the highway just reaching 55 mph, that is when all of a sudden, my suv stalled out with no warning no sound nothing. I tried to restart it and sounded as if it was trying to start but wouldn't. after a couple of times of trying that is when a tow truck came and as he was putting my suv on the flat bed I noticed …

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I was driving on the highway just reaching 55 mph, that is when all of a sudden, my suv stalled out with no warning no sound nothing. I tried to restart it and sounded as if it was trying to start but wouldn't. after a couple of times of trying that is when a tow truck came and as he was putting my suv on the flat bed I noticed huge amount oil on the ground. I got it towed to Chevy dealership for service and that is when they told me that the 6th cylinder cracked also a rod went through causing a hole in the engine block. I asked what could have caused it, because I'm on top of my maintenance and my suv only had 94,000 miles on it. That is when he explained to me that it was nothing that I did and that there was nothing that I could've done to prevent it and that there was nothing I did wrong that caused it. So, the leaves me asking, isn't that a manufacturing issue?

NHTSA ODI #11470303

128,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
Engine

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN MY 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS BROKEN NOW THREE TIMES. THE CHEVY DEALER HAS CHANGED THE MANIFOLD TWICE FOR FREE BUT NOW THEY NO LONGER WANT TO PAY FOR IT PLUS I ASKED IF THEY HAVE MADE A CHANGE TO THE CAST IRON MANIFOLD AND THEY TELL ME THE PART NUMBER CHANGED IN 2011 BUT MY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE TH…

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THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN MY 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS BROKEN NOW THREE TIMES. THE CHEVY DEALER HAS CHANGED THE MANIFOLD TWICE FOR FREE BUT NOW THEY NO LONGER WANT TO PAY FOR IT PLUS I ASKED IF THEY HAVE MADE A CHANGE TO THE CAST IRON MANIFOLD AND THEY TELL ME THE PART NUMBER CHANGED IN 2011 BUT MY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN SO I KNOW THE REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD I WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EXHAUST FUMES IN WINTER ENTER THE CABIN.

NHTSA ODI #11397464

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

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

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

28,000 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS PERSI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10861233

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2016
Engine

HAD EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED AT LOCAL GM DEALER UNDER WARRENTY IN 6/26/13 NOW HAVE SAME PROBLUM EXHAUST MANIFOLD MAKING LOUD NOISE. HAD 80112 MILES WHEN FIRST DONE NOW WHEN HAPPENED WAS2/22/16 THE MILES WERE 109482, WITCH IS ONLY 29370 MILES WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS THIS SHOULD BE FIXED AGAIN BY THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10839869

160,000 miles · Feb 17, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10836665

80,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERSISTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST CAM POSITION SOLENOID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERSISTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST CAM POSITION SOLENOID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10819984

85,026 miles · Jun 14, 2015
Engine

EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED,GM KNOWS THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THESE BUT YET WONT FIX IT

NHTSA ODI #10725187

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.