IllustrationVEHICLES STABILITRAC LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY. REPAIR LISTED FOR CODE IS NOT THE PROBLEM. HAD SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2006 TRAILBLAZER. LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY, EVEN WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT LOW RATE OF SPEED. *TR
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
What owners actually said
193 reportsPOWER STEERING LINES CORRODED AND LEAKING AT/FROM RUBBER MOUNT ON L WHEEL WELL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS OVER CHARGING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSIST…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS OVER CHARGING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS HAD TO BE UTILIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS HAD TO BE UTILIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2009. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN ITS HOT AND COLD, DRY OR WET. JUST STARTING THE ENGINE MAKES THEN COME ON. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR 2 YEARS NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND …
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I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2009. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN ITS HOT AND COLD, DRY OR WET. JUST STARTING THE ENGINE MAKES THEN COME ON. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR 2 YEARS NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS HAPPENING AND CAN'T FIX IT. MY VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL NEVER BE FIXED. ?*TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGINE STARTUP, THE EXHAUST BECAME ABNORMALLY LOUD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGINE STARTUP, THE EXHAUST BECAME ABNORMALLY LOUD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FAILURE TO START AFTER A FAILURE IN ENGINE RUN DURING ENTRY TO HIGHWAY. *BF
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPENED AND THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE DOOR PANEL CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD ALSO BECOME I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPENED AND THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE DOOR PANEL CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD ALSO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,458. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/19/2012 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
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.