2008 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
193 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
74,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 169 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 57 of 193 complaints (29.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 31 | 16.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 22 | 11.4% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 4.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 57 |
| Air Bags | 28 |
| Engine | 21 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 |
| Seat Belts | 11 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
Electrical System: 57; Air Bags: 28; Engine: 21; Exterior Lighting: 17; Seat Belts: 11; Steering: 11; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 42 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 36 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 42; 75,000 to 99,999: 36; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 18
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (42). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 6; 2009: 8; 2010: 18; 2011: 10; 2012: 18; 2013: 19; 2014: 34; 2015: 22; 2016: 13; 2017: 7; 2018: 10; 2019: 12; 2020: 7; 2021: 5; 2022: 2; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 22 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10267152 · 2009-04-28 (April 28, 2009)
I WAS STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT ON A SLIGHT HILL. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I TRIED TO MOVE AHEAD AND ALL 4 BRAKES HAD LOCKED UP AND I HAD NO FORWARD MOTION. I PUSHED HAD ON GAS PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO CREEP AT ABOUT 1 MPH TO A DRIVEWAY. WHEN I ENTERED DRIVEWAY I HEARD A "CLINK" AND BRAKES RELEASED.THIS VEH HAS 5200 MILES AND IS A 2008 TRAILBLAZER SS AWD. THIS IS THE 1ST INSTANCE OF THIS TYPE.I TOOK IT TO MY SERVICING CHEVY DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THAT "MECHANICALLY " IT WAS FINE. THEY CONTACTED CHEVROLET TAC AND WERE TOLD THIS HAS NEVER…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,272 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294782 · 2009-12-07 (December 7, 2009)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259480 · 2009-02-20 (February 20, 2009)
I BOUGHT THIS 08 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER NEW 9-30-08.FROM THE DATE I BOUGHT IT I NOTICED THE CHARGING HAND ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWS THE BATTERY NOT CHARGING ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME,THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THIS IS A FUEL SAVING FEATURE .WHEN THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED THE ALTERNATOR QUITS CHARGING.AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH OF DRIVING THIS VEH.I NOTICED WHEN IT QUIT FULLY CHARGING THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL BUT 1/3RD OF THE WAY UP,THE VEH.CAN'T BE DRIVEN IN THE RAIN DUE TO THE WIPERS BARELY MOVING,THE BOSE STEREO SYSTEM LOSES POWER AND MAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384885 · 2011-02-21 (February 21, 2011)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STATE HIGHWAY WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 57 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CONSOLE. MY ON STAR DID NOT WORK, NOR DID THE RADIO OR ANYTHING ELECTRICAL IN MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT NONE OF THE GAUGES, LIGHTS, WINDOWS, ETC. WERE WORKING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS AND WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE NOR FIX THE PROBLEM. ALL OF THE SUDDEN 3 WEEKS LATER THEY GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454750 · 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A CUL DE SAC ONE MORNING THAT WAS ON A STEEP SLOPE I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR IN THREE STAGES LIKE IT WAS CATCHING ON SOMETHING AND THEN WOULD RELEASE AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. ONCE I GOT THE VEHICLE STRAIGHTENED OUT TO GO DOWN THE STEEP HILL IT FELT LIKE IT DOES WHEN A ROTOR GETS WARPED. ONCE I GOT CLOSE TO THE BOTTOM I TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET THAT WAS FLAT AND I STOPPED AND PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I S…
Owner-reported narrative. 101,985 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454754 · 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
STABILITRAK LIGHTS ON DASH COME ON AS I AM LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNINGS AND WHEN I LEAVE WORK IN THE EVENINGS. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THEY USUALLY GO OFF AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES THEY COME ON AGAIN WITHIN MINUTES. THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND THE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON AND STAYING ON MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN I GOT MY TRANSMISSION SERVICED LAST WEEK THE MECHANIC PULLED THE CODE ON IT AND IT SHOWED TO BE THE STEERING WHEEL ANGLE POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE FOUND MU…
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567609 · 2014-03-06 (March 6, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10620919 · 2014-08-08 (August 8, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10620919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241343 · 2008-09-08 (September 8, 2008)
RENTED 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV FROM NATIONAL CAR RENTAL ON 8/31/08 WITH 436 MILES ON ODOMETER. DROVE APPROX 800 MILES OVER A PERIOD OF 7 DAYS. ON 9/6/08, WHILE DRIVING ON I-75 SOUTHBOUND AT 70MPH, VEHICLE SHIFTED ITSELF INTO 3RD GEAR, WOULD NOT GO INTO 4TH OR OVERDRIVE. RPM'S AT 70 MPH WERE APPROX 3,500. PULLED OFF ROAD AT INTERSTATE EXIT, TRANSMISSION MADE A "CLUNK", JOLTING ME AND MY WIFE RATHER INTENSELY. TOPPED OFF THE FUEL, QUITE GINGERLY BEGAN OUR TRIP AGAIN. AS VEHICLE REACHED 45-50MPH, IT DOWNSHIFTED ITSELF INTO 3RD GEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,326 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252608 · 2008-12-23 (December 23, 2008)
FOR THREE WEEKS MY FUEL LIGHT DENOTES THAT I AM ON EMPTY. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD FORGOTTEN TO GET SOME GAS. BUT WHEN I STARTED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE GAS LIGHT, I NOTICED THAT, EVEN WHEN I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK, I WAS STILL GETTING THAT RINGING SOUND THAT DENOTES 'EMPTY'. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE ME ABOUT $460 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THAT AN AWFUL LOT OF MONEY FOR A FUEL LIGHT. WHAT'S UP WITH THIS? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 57,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10794614 · 2015-11-18 (November 18, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL AND THE FUEL CAP INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CRAMPED THE TANK CAP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. .....UPDATED 02/11/16 *BF *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10794614 at NHTSA ↗