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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
50,000 miles · May 24, 2015
TiresWheels

OUR TRAILBLAZER IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ONE EXCEPTION. THE TIRES LEAK AIR AT THE RIMS. WE HAVE HAD THE TIRES REMOVED FROM THE RIMS TO HAVE THE RIMS RESEALED AND THAT LASTS FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. WE HAVE ALUMINUM RIMS. IT IS OUR UNDERSTAND THAT THE RIMS HAVE DEVELOPED SPURS DUE TO USE. OUR TRAILBLAZER HAS APPROXI…

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OUR TRAILBLAZER IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ONE EXCEPTION. THE TIRES LEAK AIR AT THE RIMS. WE HAVE HAD THE TIRES REMOVED FROM THE RIMS TO HAVE THE RIMS RESEALED AND THAT LASTS FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. WE HAVE ALUMINUM RIMS. IT IS OUR UNDERSTAND THAT THE RIMS HAVE DEVELOPED SPURS DUE TO USE. OUR TRAILBLAZER HAS APPROXIMATELY 67000 MILES. IT IS HOUSED IN A GARAGE AND USED DAILY. MY HUSBAND OFTEN HAS TO FILL THE TIRES BEFORE WE CAN LEAVE HOME. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS HE HAS TO FILL THEM IF WE TAKE A 2 1/2 HOUR TRIP OR IF IT SITS OVERNIGHT IN COLD. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AND REMAINS FRUSTRATING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10721232

105,000 miles · May 10, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10715506

89,471 miles · May 5, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION BACK TO THE OFF POSITION AND OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE HEAD LAMP DRIVING MODULE RELAY ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTING…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION BACK TO THE OFF POSITION AND OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE HEAD LAMP DRIVING MODULE RELAY ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCESSORY BOARD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,471.

NHTSA ODI #10714751

79,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THE TRUCK WAS DEAD. IT HAS SINCE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AT 82,000. THE NUMBER 4 POSITION ON THE BLOWER DOES NOT WORK. THE STABILTRAK LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DON…

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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THE TRUCK WAS DEAD. IT HAS SINCE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AT 82,000. THE NUMBER 4 POSITION ON THE BLOWER DOES NOT WORK. THE STABILTRAK LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705981

997,164 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Air Bags

DURING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE SIDE AIRBAGS AND FRONT SEATBELT DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. AFTER A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC BY GM THEY CONCLUDED THE COMPUTER SENSED A ROLLOVER AND THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED ON COMMAND. PROBLEM IS THAT THE TILT OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT REACH OR EXCEED 20 DEGREES (ONLY 2 DEGREES) AND THEREFORE THE SYSTEM SHOU…

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DURING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE SIDE AIRBAGS AND FRONT SEATBELT DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. AFTER A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC BY GM THEY CONCLUDED THE COMPUTER SENSED A ROLLOVER AND THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED ON COMMAND. PROBLEM IS THAT THE TILT OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT REACH OR EXCEED 20 DEGREES (ONLY 2 DEGREES) AND THEREFORE THE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY GM'S OWN REPORT YET THEY DENIED ANYTHING WAS WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704769

25,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. WILL NOT COME ON NOW! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR SAFETY REASONS. I AM 73 YEARS OLD AND AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND ALSO DAYTIME WITH NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SOLUTION SO I CAN HAVE DEALER GET IT FIXED. LOYAL …

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WHILE DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. WILL NOT COME ON NOW! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR SAFETY REASONS. I AM 73 YEARS OLD AND AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND ALSO DAYTIME WITH NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SOLUTION SO I CAN HAVE DEALER GET IT FIXED. LOYAL CHEVROLET CUSTOMER FOR 50 YEARS THAT NEEDS DESPERATE HELP. THANK YOU! *TR ## VIN PASSED ## CHEVY TRAILBLAZER LT2 2008 ##

NHTSA ODI #10695072

95,000 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE LOW AIR PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ALTHOUGH THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES WAS NORMAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE LOW AIR PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ALTHOUGH THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES WAS NORMAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A TRACTION CONTROL ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 4/16/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10691060

65,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT. WE REPLACED BULBS, THEY WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME. LOW BEAMS WENT OUT TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER. WENT TO LOCAL GARAGE, THEY REPLACED WIRE FROM BATTERY TO LIGHTS AS THEY WERE NOT GETTING ANY POWER. LIGHTS WORKED FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. TRAILBLAZER WAS IN SHOP FOR A WEEK, UNABLE TO FIND ISSUE. CALLED CHE…

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LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT. WE REPLACED BULBS, THEY WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME. LOW BEAMS WENT OUT TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER. WENT TO LOCAL GARAGE, THEY REPLACED WIRE FROM BATTERY TO LIGHTS AS THEY WERE NOT GETTING ANY POWER. LIGHTS WORKED FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. TRAILBLAZER WAS IN SHOP FOR A WEEK, UNABLE TO FIND ISSUE. CALLED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A 2007 WHICH HAS A RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. FOUND IT WAS A 2008, NO RECALL. FOUND BAD/BURNT/EXPLODED FUSE LABELED 15016745. HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683377

125,000 miles · Jan 27, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL ON BLACK ICE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE TRAILBLAZER HIT A TREE.THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS BENT. THE SUV WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE PICKED UP A LITTLE MORE SPEED WHILE ON THE ICE, BUT NO MORE THAN 30 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679071

92,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Power Train

LEAVING MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, I MADE A LEFT TURN ON TO THE ROAD. WHILE IN THE TURN, MY SUV BEGAN TO STALL.THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON. I MANAGED TO COAST ON TO SOMEONE'S PROPERTY. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND SAT THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THEN, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND MANAGED TO GET HOME. I USED A…

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LEAVING MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, I MADE A LEFT TURN ON TO THE ROAD. WHILE IN THE TURN, MY SUV BEGAN TO STALL.THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON. I MANAGED TO COAST ON TO SOMEONE'S PROPERTY. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND SAT THERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THEN, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND MANAGED TO GET HOME. I USED A SCANNER TO GET THE CODE FOR THE POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION. THE MALFUNCTION WAS LISTED AS P2135, WHICH READ, IN PART "THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH A/B VOLTAGE CORRELATION". THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS CITED IN NHTSA: ACTION NUMBER: 10047220 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 340852., FOR THE MODEL YEAR 2008. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP AND GM, HAVE STATED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. THIS IS A GREAT SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION. WITH THE HUNDRED OF THOUSAND OF VEHICLES THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED BY GM FOR A MULTITUDE OF DEFECTS, SOMEHOW THE MODEL YEAR 2008, IS A MODEL OF PERFECTION. FORTUNATE FOR ME, THAT I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671008

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.