IllustrationFRAME ROTTING OUT - HAS ROT HOLES - UNSAFE - REMAINDER OF TRUCK IS GOOD BUT WITHOUT A SOLID STRUCTURE THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND USELESS. MANY TRAILBLAZER FRAMES DO NOT LAST AND ROT OUT FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING. BAD PRODUCT GM.
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
Structure complaints
6 reportsI 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THE DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL DOOR MECHANISM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE AND THE DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL DOOR MECHANISM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TEMPERATURE ACTUATOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED CORROSION ON THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED CORROSION ON THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WAS LOST ON DRIVERS DOOR. WINDOW REMAINS OPEN. SIDE MIRRORS,HEATED SEATS,DOOR LOCKS AND INTERIOR LIGHT IS NOT WORKING ON THIS DOOR. *TR
THE LIFTBACK EMBLEM ON THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THE EMBLEM ON THE FRONT BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR. I DON'T HAVE ANY REASON IT JUST STARTED. PEOPLE AND MECHANICS HAVE BEEN TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE BAD AND THE REPLACEMENT WAS HIGH. *TR
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.