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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

What owners actually said

193 reports
15,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 4WD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE STABILITRAK SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. SHE STATED THAT THE STABILITRAK DOES NOT WORK WHILE DRIVING OVER AN ICE PATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE WHO RESET THE LIGHT. THE VEHIC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 4WD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE STABILITRAK SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. SHE STATED THAT THE STABILITRAK DOES NOT WORK WHILE DRIVING OVER AN ICE PATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE WHO RESET THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM TWO WHEEL TO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT. OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER AND EVENTUALLY THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378140

56,000 miles · Nov 4, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE GM LS2 ENGINE INSTALLED IN THE TRAILBLAZER SS MODELS HAS A KNOWN OILING ISSUE WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BE STARVED FOR OIL AND THUS, SPINS A ROD BEARING. BEING THAT THE TRAILBLAZER SS IS A LIMITED PRODUCTION VEHICLE, GM HASN'T LIFTED A FINGER TO RECALL OR REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE PROBLEM ONLY EXISTS IN THE TRAILBLAZER…

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THE GM LS2 ENGINE INSTALLED IN THE TRAILBLAZER SS MODELS HAS A KNOWN OILING ISSUE WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BE STARVED FOR OIL AND THUS, SPINS A ROD BEARING. BEING THAT THE TRAILBLAZER SS IS A LIMITED PRODUCTION VEHICLE, GM HASN'T LIFTED A FINGER TO RECALL OR REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE PROBLEM ONLY EXISTS IN THE TRAILBLAZER SS (NOT CORVETTE OR GTO TO MY KNOWLEDGE) DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364025

63,000 miles · Nov 4, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER LS WITH 63,000 MILES DEVELOPED A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SIMILAR INCIDENTS ONLINE. GM SHOULD LOOK INTO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363959

51,254 miles · Sep 14, 2010
SuspensionTraction Control System

TRACTION CONTROL AND REPAIR LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355474

50,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

HELLO, I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS OF CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON GMC SUV'S. I HAVE ONE AND HAVE BEEN READING WAY TOO MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS CAUSED BY WHAT 2 MECHANICS SAY IS A BAD DESIGN AND CHEAP PARTS. FOR A $30+ TRUCK, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE A 2008 TRAILBLAZER LT, WITH 50K MILES…

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HELLO, I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS OF CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON GMC SUV'S. I HAVE ONE AND HAVE BEEN READING WAY TOO MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS CAUSED BY WHAT 2 MECHANICS SAY IS A BAD DESIGN AND CHEAP PARTS. FOR A $30+ TRUCK, THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE A 2008 TRAILBLAZER LT, WITH 50K MILES. THE COST TO FIX IS AVERAGED AT AROUND $600-$700!!!!! MANY HAVE TO TRY AND TACKLE THIS PROJECT ON THEIR OWN SINCE THAT TYPE OF MONEY ISN'T REALLY JUST LAYING AROUND FOR MOST PEOPLE AND WHAT HAPPENS IS BROKEN BOLTS AND THEN A WHOLE SEPARATE ISSUE. ALSO BEEN PROBLEMS WITH O2 SENSORS BECAUSE OF THE LEAK, SEEMS THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS IF NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A FACTORY/MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF, AT NO COST TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. OR I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR MONEY I NEED TO SPEND TOWARD FIXING IT SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD TO NOT HAVE IT IN DRIVING CONDITION. PROMPT ACTION TO THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. STILL A TRUE GM BELIEVER!!!! BUT COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP HERE AS MANY OTHERS DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351290

74,233 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Traction Control System

MY 2008 TRAILBLAZER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349505

5,012 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STABILITY TRACK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STABILITY TRACK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WOULD FEEL ABNORMALLY SOFT AND SPONGY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER SIX TIMES YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,012 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ODI #10345945

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

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2010
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD SEAT BELT EXTENSIONS TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SHE NOTICED THERE WAS NO BUCKLE TO SNAP THE SEAT BELT INTO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE SEAL BELT BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD SEAT BELT EXTENSIONS TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SHE NOTICED THERE WAS NO BUCKLE TO SNAP THE SEAT BELT INTO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE SEAL BELT BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A NEW BUCKLE INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 08/12/10 *BF UPDATED 08/17/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10339663

21,200 miles · Jun 16, 2010
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS,FRONT WHEELS WENT INTO A SPEED WOBBLE,I LIGHTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND IT BECAME WORSE. I TOOK THE TRAILBLAZER TO THE MICHELIN TIRE DEALER AND HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BALANCE OR RUN-OUT ON THE TIRES,SO I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336595

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.