2008 Chevrolet TRAILBLAZER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10214104 · 2008-01-07 (January 7, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. AS A RESULT, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNSURE WHAT REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 263. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB UPDATED
Owner-reported narrative. 263 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216877 · 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
NO CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR LAMP ON DASH BOARD. THIS BECOMES A PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE OR NOT, WHICH CAN CREATE AN ACCIDENT WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS TO START TO DECELERATE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10216877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228533 · 2008-05-21 (May 21, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE SIDE WINDOW CURTAIN AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT HYPOTHESIZED THAT THE CONTACT MUST HAVE DRIVEN OVER SOMETHING IN THE ROAD OR WAS DRIVING ON TWO WHEELS. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND NO INDICATORS OF A ROLLOVER OR A CRASH. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFERRED HER BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAG…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228533 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 10244164 · 2008-10-01 (October 1, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT HEARD SOUNDS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BEGAN TO WORSEN GRADUALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES AND HAS STILL NOT BEEN PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEGINNING TO DRIFT WHILE DRIVING. HE FEELS THAT THE DRIFTING AND THE NOISE ARE RELATED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,002 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244164 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 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 10261711 · 2009-03-13 (March 13, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY RESTRAINED THE CONTACT, BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261711 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.