Total Complaints
261 filings
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER · model year
261 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008CHEVROLETTRAILBLAZER carries 261 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 19 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 TRAILBLAZER is electrical system with 57 filings, followed by air bags (27) and engine (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2008 TRAILBLAZER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
261 filings
Crashes Reported
17 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 57 |
| AIR BAGS | 27 |
| ENGINE | 21 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 17 |
| STEERING | 11 |
| SEAT BELTS | 10 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| SUSPENSION | 5 |
FRAME ROTTING OUT - HAS ROT HOLES - UNSAFE - REMAINDER OF TRUCK IS GOOD BUT WITHOUT A SOLID STRUCTURE THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND USELESS. MANY TRAILBLAZER FRAMES DO NOT LAST AND ROT OUT FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING. BAD PRODUCT GM.
FRAME ROTTING OUT - HAS ROT HOLES - UNSAFE - REMAINDER OF TRUCK IS GOOD BUT WITHOUT A SOLID STRUCTURE THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND USELESS. MANY TRAILBLAZER FRAMES DO NOT LAST AND ROT OUT FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING. BAD PRODUCT GM.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while parked in her driveway, the passenger side door caught fire without warning. The fire occurred overnight and in the morning, the contact and her boyfriend discovered both her passenger side door and front passenger seat melted. The contact believed that the fire smoldered overnight and eventually burned out on its own. The fire department was not notified and a fire report was not filed. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact's boyfriend discovered that the wiring inside the door had melted which may have caused the fire. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000
Mileage: 206,000
I was driving on the highway just reaching 55 mph, that is when all of a sudden, my suv stalled out with no warning no sound nothing. I tried to restart it and sounded as if it was trying to start but wouldn't. after a couple of times of trying that is when a tow truck came and as he was putting my suv on the flat bed I noticed huge amount oil on the ground. I got it towed to Chevy dealership for service and that is when they told me that the 6th cylinder cracked also a rod went through causing a hole in the engine block. I asked what could have caused it, because I'm on top of my maintenance and my suv only had 94,000 miles on it. That is when he explained to me that it was nothing that I did and that there was nothing that I could've done to prevent it and that there was nothing I did wrong that caused it. So, the leaves me asking, isn't that a manufacturing issue?
I was just sitting in a drive thru and my passenger side window just started smoking and now it will not go down.
I was just sitting in a drive thru and my passenger side window just started smoking and now it will not go down.
While driving home at approximately 9:30pm, my eighteen year old daughter experienced the headlights failing to come on after dark with the automatic headlight-on feature. She turned on the headlights manually, and the low beams still were not working, but all driving lights and high beam headlights were working. I assumed that the bulbs were burned out, so replaced both the driver and passenger side bulbs. The low beam headlights still failed to come on either automatically or manually. I Googled the problem, and multiple people have reported this exact same problem, and some stated that there was a recall due to this problem. I am unable to find either a recall or a service bulletin for this issue.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY GAS TANK NEEDLE WENT DOWN TO EMPTY ON A FULL TANK OF GAS AND WILL NOT COME BACK UP, AND IT STALLS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
Mileage: 210,702
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY GAS TANK NEEDLE WENT DOWN TO EMPTY ON A FULL TANK OF GAS AND WILL NOT COME BACK UP, AND IT STALLS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
Mileage: 210,702
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN MY 2008 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER HAS BROKEN NOW THREE TIMES. THE CHEVY DEALER HAS CHANGED THE MANIFOLD TWICE FOR FREE BUT NOW THEY NO LONGER WANT TO PAY FOR IT PLUS I ASKED IF THEY HAVE MADE A CHANGE TO THE CAST IRON MANIFOLD AND THEY TELL ME THE PART NUMBER CHANGED IN 2011 BUT MY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN SO I KNOW THE REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD I WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EXHAUST FUMES IN WINTER ENTER THE CABIN.
Mileage: 128,000
THE POWER STEERING LINES BLOW
Mileage: 170,000
YES I WAS DRIVING ON THE 65 MILES AN HOUR IN THE PASSENGER LANE ARE CARPOOL LANE ALL THE SUDDEN FOR NO REASON BOTH CURTAIN AIRBAGS JUST DEPLOYED I HAD MY HEAD RIGHT NEXT TO KNOCK ME OUT COLD I DIDN'T PROCEED OVER AND HIT THE WALL 21 TIMES JUST SKIP DOWN IN WHEN I CAME TO I THOUGHT I WAS I THOUGHT IT AND OTHER VEHICLES LIKELY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE DID CAUSE SOME TESTA INJURY HURT MIGHT PULL MY CAR ALLEGEDLY FOR MY RIBCAGE IN GOT MY NECK IN MY HEAD I SEE THIS IS HAPPENED MANY TIMES THE 2008 BUT YET THEY KEEP SAYING THERE'S NO PROBLEM THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A 2% LEAN AND EXPOSED THE 16 FOR THE ROLE OVER TO KICK IN THAT ESCAPE SCREWING EVERYBODY YEAH THE VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT NO TURNS NO BOMBS NOTHING JUST DEPLOYED I HAVE VIDEO PICTURES OF THE WALL IT SCREWED UP MY RAMS AND OF COURSE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MESSED UP AND SHOW THE BACK AXLE IN THE PUMPKIN SO NOW THATS WHINING SO I KNOW IT'S GONNA FAIL SOON POWER STEERING LINKIN TRUCK NEVER LEAD TO DROP ANOTHER WITH SILENT AT THE
Mileage: 160,000
YES I WAS DRIVING ON THE 65 MILES AN HOUR IN THE PASSENGER LANE ARE CARPOOL LANE ALL THE SUDDEN FOR NO REASON BOTH CURTAIN AIRBAGS JUST DEPLOYED I HAD MY HEAD RIGHT NEXT TO KNOCK ME OUT COLD I DIDN'T PROCEED OVER AND HIT THE WALL 21 TIMES JUST SKIP DOWN IN WHEN I CAME TO I THOUGHT I WAS I THOUGHT IT AND OTHER VEHICLES LIKELY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE DID CAUSE SOME TESTA INJURY HURT MIGHT PULL MY CAR ALLEGEDLY FOR MY RIBCAGE IN GOT MY NECK IN MY HEAD I SEE THIS IS HAPPENED MANY TIMES THE 2008 BUT YET THEY KEEP SAYING THERE'S NO PROBLEM THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A 2% LEAN AND EXPOSED THE 16 FOR THE ROLE OVER TO KICK IN THAT ESCAPE SCREWING EVERYBODY YEAH THE VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT NO TURNS NO BOMBS NOTHING JUST DEPLOYED I HAVE VIDEO PICTURES OF THE WALL IT SCREWED UP MY RAMS AND OF COURSE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MESSED UP AND SHOW THE BACK AXLE IN THE PUMPKIN SO NOW THATS WHINING SO I KNOW IT'S GONNA FAIL SOON POWER STEERING LINKIN TRUCK NEVER LEAD TO DROP ANOTHER WITH SILENT AT THE
Mileage: 160,000
YES I WAS DRIVING ON THE 65 MILES AN HOUR IN THE PASSENGER LANE ARE CARPOOL LANE ALL THE SUDDEN FOR NO REASON BOTH CURTAIN AIRBAGS JUST DEPLOYED I HAD MY HEAD RIGHT NEXT TO KNOCK ME OUT COLD I DIDN'T PROCEED OVER AND HIT THE WALL 21 TIMES JUST SKIP DOWN IN WHEN I CAME TO I THOUGHT I WAS I THOUGHT IT AND OTHER VEHICLES LIKELY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE DID CAUSE SOME TESTA INJURY HURT MIGHT PULL MY CAR ALLEGEDLY FOR MY RIBCAGE IN GOT MY NECK IN MY HEAD I SEE THIS IS HAPPENED MANY TIMES THE 2008 BUT YET THEY KEEP SAYING THERE'S NO PROBLEM THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A 2% LEAN AND EXPOSED THE 16 FOR THE ROLE OVER TO KICK IN THAT ESCAPE SCREWING EVERYBODY YEAH THE VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT NO TURNS NO BOMBS NOTHING JUST DEPLOYED I HAVE VIDEO PICTURES OF THE WALL IT SCREWED UP MY RAMS AND OF COURSE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MESSED UP AND SHOW THE BACK AXLE IN THE PUMPKIN SO NOW THATS WHINING SO I KNOW IT'S GONNA FAIL SOON POWER STEERING LINKIN TRUCK NEVER LEAD TO DROP ANOTHER WITH SILENT AT THE
Mileage: 160,000
DIM HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BRIGHT LIGHTS WORKED, BUT NO DIMS.
Mileage: 150,000
THERE'S A PROBLEM AFTER BRAKING WHICH CAUSES A FEW SECOND DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A SLOW SPEED, SUPPOSEDLY PART OF THE STABILITRAK/ABS SYSTEM CAUSED BY A FAULTY SENSOR. I HAVE ALMOST HAD A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS WHEN WAITING TO TURN IN A LEFT TURN LANE.
Mileage: 70,000
REAR HATCH LICENSE PLATE LAMPS BLOWING OUT, FLICKERING ALSO HATCH LOCK CLICKS REPEATEDLY, WITHOUT TOUCHING ELECTRIC LOCK BUTTONS. WHEN OPENING THE HATCH THE LICENSE LIGHTS GO ON/OFF ON/OFF. THE HATCH LOCK CLICKS REPEATEDLY. THE HATCH WIRE HARNESS COVERED WITH A 'RUBBER BOOT/SLEEVE', WHEN MOVED CAUSES LOCK CLICKING AND PLATE LIGHTS FLICKERING. THE HATCH LOCK INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK. VEHICLE USUALLY PARKED. OBVIOUSLY UNABLE TO SEE LICENSE LAMPS WHEN IN MOTION.
MY 2008 TRAILBLAZER POWERS DOWN AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ACCELERATION I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS TO CARS BEHIND ME
Mileage: 90,000
MY 2008 TRAILBLAZER POWERS DOWN AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ACCELERATION I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS TO CARS BEHIND ME
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CRASHED AND REAR ENDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AT 53 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEVERE CONCUSSION & ALMOST BIT HIS TONGUE OFF WITH HIS HEAD SMASHING INTO THE WINDSHIELD. HE ALSO SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES ON HIS LOWER BODY AND LEGS AND A BRUISED NECK. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED WITH THE WHOLE FRONT SMASHED IN UP TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *LN*JB
Mileage: 220,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.