IllustrationTHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY GAS TANK NEEDLE WENT DOWN TO EMPTY ON A FULL TANK OF GAS AND WILL NOT COME BACK UP, AND IT STALLS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
8 reportsTHERE'S A PROBLEM AFTER BRAKING WHICH CAUSES A FEW SECOND DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A SLOW SPEED, SUPPOSEDLY PART OF THE STABILITRAK/ABS SYSTEM CAUSED BY A FAULTY SENSOR. I HAVE ALMOST HAD A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS WHEN WAITING TO TURN IN A LEFT TURN LANE.
MY 2008 TRAILBLAZER POWERS DOWN AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ACCELERATION I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS TO CARS BEHIND ME
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…
Read full complaint
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.
ENGINE STARTED CHIRPING, REPLACED IDLER PULLEY AND THE OTHER STATIONARY PULLEY AND BELT, THE AIR CONDITION PUMP WAS REPLACED BEFORE WINTER , WELL WITH THE RECENT WARM UP THIS SPRING I NEEDED TO USE THE AIR, AT AN IDLE IT WORKS ,SOME LIGHT SQUEELING, BUT AS YOU ARE DRIVING IT LACKS ACCELERATION, IT WILL GO IF YOU HIT THE GAS PEDE…
Read full complaint
ENGINE STARTED CHIRPING, REPLACED IDLER PULLEY AND THE OTHER STATIONARY PULLEY AND BELT, THE AIR CONDITION PUMP WAS REPLACED BEFORE WINTER , WELL WITH THE RECENT WARM UP THIS SPRING I NEEDED TO USE THE AIR, AT AN IDLE IT WORKS ,SOME LIGHT SQUEELING, BUT AS YOU ARE DRIVING IT LACKS ACCELERATION, IT WILL GO IF YOU HIT THE GAS PEDEL A FEW TIMES, BUT IT'S PRETTY SCARY, AS SOON AS YOU TURN OFF THE A/C IT DRIVES NORMAL. I SEE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS THAT I HAVE READ IN VARIOUS CAR TRUCK FORUMS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,150 AND THE CURRENT MILE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/16/10 *BF UPDATED 07/27/10
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SSS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. SHE ATTEMPTED TO COAST INTO A PARKING SPACE , BUT THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PARK THE VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRIN…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SSS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. SHE ATTEMPTED TO COAST INTO A PARKING SPACE , BUT THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PARK THE VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,300.
NO CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LAMP ON DASH BOARD. THIS BECOMES A PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE OR NOT, WHICH CAN CREATE AN ACCIDENT WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS TO START TO DECELERATE. *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.