2023 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
42,481 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 66 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 22.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 15.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 |
Engine: 15; Service Brakes: 14; Electrical System: 12; Unknown Or Other: 11; Power Train: 9; Air Bags: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Back Over Prevention: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 52 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2023: 18; 2024: 9; 2025: 22; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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 11518005 · 2023-04-20 (April 20, 2023)
I was driving west on I90 near Belvidere IL, through a construction zone. All of sudden the vehicle stopped by its self. I had no control except for the steering. Once on the left shoulder of a four lane hwy(one way), another four lanes on the other side. There was a cement barrier blocking from the other side traffic. I smelled like burnt rubber, now I now it was the brakes. I checked under the hood did not see or smell something burning. After a few minutes the SUV was able to move. I was afraid for my life, just waiting on a vehicle to hit m…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525687 · 2023-06-06 (June 6, 2023)
The breaks on this car squeal and grid awful. The dealership said they put metal brake pads on the car and that it's "supposed" to grind and make noise" and told me there is nothing they can do about it. I know this was an issue with their 2020-2022 Trailblazers. I can't believe that it's normal for a $30,000 dollar car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508665 · 2023-02-23 (February 23, 2023)
I have noticed that when it's very cold, the vehicle will not shift to the two highest gears (I think) until 20+ minutes into my trip, and that's with having auto-started the vehicle 10 minutes prior to getting in it. So it takes about 30 minutes for the vehicle to shift into whatever the two highest (I think) gears are. This morning, 20+ minutes into my trip, I was going 71mph while pushing 4,000rpms, and it wouldn't shift. The temperature outside is 1 degree fahrenheit. The same thing was happening when it was cold in December. That day I don…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11508665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541336 · 2023-08-29 (August 29, 2023)
Vehicle will not shift when needed or suddenly shift when it shouldn’t be, causing a lurching motion of the car. Then, the vehicle would not be able to be put into reverse. Appears to be a transmission issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11541336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11666915 · 2025-06-14 (June 14, 2025)
My car key keeps getting stuck in the ignition and won’t come out until we unhook the negative on the battery.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11666915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11684421 · 2025-09-02 (September 2, 2025)
When I shift my vehicle into park and hit the button to shut it off, a "shift to park" message appears on the DIC screen. I then am required to start my vehicle again, shift into gear, and then put it back into park and attempt to shut the vehicle off again. It has taken me up to 15 minutes to be able to get it to recognize that my vehicle is in park and for the message to not pop up. If I get out of the car while the message is still on the DIC screen, I cannot lock my vehicle and it drains the battery. I contacted my local Chevrolet dealer…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11684421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11546307 · 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)
Steering warning light comes on while driving and steering locks up. Dealer inspected the vehicle and states the steering unit did pull a code, however is not serviceable and will need replaced. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle as the steering locks up and cause a serious accident. The dealer advised it may take several weeks for the parts to arrive. I am reading other reports of Trailblazer owners facing the same service issue. I am requesting a rental car from GM and/or the dealer until my car is fixed, however they told me I have to pa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11546307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11694730 · 2025-10-21 (October 21, 2025)
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster flickered, and the vehicle stalled. In addition, the radio turned off independently. The contact turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failu…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,174 miles reported. Look up ODI 11694730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11707600 · 2025-12-29 (December 29, 2025)
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at 68 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road, where the contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained for further investigation. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the same local dealer on several occasions. The dealer had previously replace…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,962 miles reported. Look up ODI 11707600 at NHTSA ↗