10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,520 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Jun 012012

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 99,921 miles
For the past few months, while operating the vehicle, the lights on the driver side door for power features would flicker on and then off causing heated seats to not work, windows could not go up or down, inability to power lock or unlock. Numerous times the drive has had to cross the center console to enter or exit the vehicle when the drive door would not unlock. Today on 6/1/12, the panel was not lite up and would not allow windows to operate, unlock or lock or heat for seats. After trying a few more times, there was a smell of fire and smoke. (yellowish). Thankfully the car was in the parked position and we were able to get out, open the door by manually pushing the lock button to open. We quickly removed the power main door switch from the door hand rest where it was apparent by smell and touch of the burning of the equipment.

- Leesburg, VA, USA

problem #16

Mar 122012

Trailblazer EXT

  • miles
I seem to be having the same issues as others. My drivers side door electrical does not work at all. No windows, mirrors, heated seats. The light will not come on when the door is opened, the radio and lights will no longer stay on when the key is shut off. Does anyone know what causes this and how much it cost to fix it" if this is a known issue why has there not been a recall"

- Lucerne , IN, USA

problem #15

Dec 132010

Trailblazer EXT

  • miles
My lights dim and flicker along with the dash board instrumentation and the volt meter dips down to around 12. This problem initially occurred about a year ago. It seems to have some sort of short. I called my local auto shop who said he would take a look but doubted he would find the problem since he couldn't with the last one he looked at!! I really enjoy this vehicle and I'm hoping that someone stumbles across the real issue and is able to help me to fix my trailblazer.

- Klamath Falls, OR, USA

problem #14

May 022011

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
Gas gauge became very erratic. Finally didn't register at all. Check engine light came on while out of town. Took the car to a merlin automotive for repair. Spent hundreds of dollars and the light would not go off. Mass air flow meter, plugs, fuel rail, throttle position sensor, fuel injectors. They even called in a Chevy technician who could not figure it out. When I returned home I took it to my local repair shop where they dropped the tank and replaced the sending unit. Hundreds of dollars in expenses. Then the heating fan switch started smoking and had to be replaced as it had melted and nothing worked. Also, every door rusted through at the bottom including the rear hatch. Dealers' response:welcome to Wisconsin. I spent $700 to have the rust cleaned up.

- Mercer, WI, USA

problem #13

Apr 172011

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
I own a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer ext. On April 17th 2011 I was driving on highway 1-96 in Michigan with my 2 young kids. Gas gague read 48 miles till empty when the vehicle suddenly stalled, it was out of gas. My kids and I had to walk along a major highway to nearest gas station to get gas. The truck ran fine before stalling out at 70 mph. I am thankful there were no cars close behind me when the vehicle suddenly stalled.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #12

Dec 302010

Trailblazer EXT 4WD 6-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
Lights on the dash not working, and also the hot /cold lights on the heater console in the front just quit working, and only 43,000 miles it makes it complicated at night to see how much gas you have or how fast your going. Also the air/heat unit on the console for the back seat just quit working, so if I have passengers in the car with me, then they just freeze to death in the back seats, because there is no heat.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #11

Dec 062010

Trailblazer EXT

  • 78,000 miles
My fuel gauge on my 2006 Chevy trailblazer slowly stopped to where it is no longer working at all. Also, suddenly today, both of my dim (low beam) head lights stopped working after having the battery replaced. Have checked fuses and they are ok. I have seen many complaints for both of these issues.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #10

Sep 162010

Trailblazer EXT

  • 70,000 miles
As of today, my reduced engine power light came on and there appears to be an issue with the electronic throttle control system. When I turned the car off, and then restarted it, the problem went away, but then a few minutes later, came on again, and the car would not accelerate. This is a major safety concern as the problem occurred crossing an intersection. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic, or it could have been very serious.

- Crestwood, KY, USA

problem #9

Jun 302010

Trailblazer EXT

  • 74,320 miles
Car shuts down with no power while driving down the road. Then there is a two minute delay before you can crank it over and start it again. Then it may shut down again another half mile up the road... and the process repeats. This is after numerous other problems: Such as failed gas gauge, water pump, wiper malfunctions, lock and window problems..ect. Anything electrical is being affected by this problem but the shutting off while driving is very unsafe due to the potential for rear end accident.

- Berkley, MI, USA

problem #8

Jun 202010

Trailblazer EXT

  • 50,000 miles
Fuel gauge has failed. At any given time, I am uncertain of the amount of fuel in my gas tank. I have contacted the dealer, they said they would diagnose the problem for $99, and the repair could cost $600 - $800. This is an obvious defect and should be replaced by GM as part of a recall. Since I could run out of gas at any time, it is obviously a safety issue.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #7

Mar 302010

Trailblazer EXT

  • 71,715 miles
3 weeks ago, per the fuel guage had 1/4 tank, no 'low fuel' light indicator. However, my vehicle ran out of gas, leaving me to coast to the side of the road on a corner. I was stranded. I have not let the tank get that low since, out of fear the guage was not reading it properly. Last night, I filled the vehicle. Apporximately a mile from the gas station, my check engine light came on & the guage registered empty with the light indicator. During my 10 minute drive it continued to fluctuate between empty & full. I am affraid of the vehicle cutting out again while driving in traffic or manuevering through corners. This is very dangerous.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #6

Nov 122008

Trailblazer EXT

  • 34,000 miles
Light keep going out while driving at night.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 202009

Trailblazer EXT

  • 38,000 miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) my 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer ext ls has a faulty the fuel gauge/fuel sending unit. At first it would show full when we filled up, but after driving for 5 minutes would go to empty. Now it never even registers the fuel level anymore, and the check engine light stays on all the time. I am afraid of stalling, especially since I have children with me. The dealership told me that they couldn't fix it because no recall had been issued. This problem started at around 38,000 miles. [xxx]

- Brandywine, MD, USA

problem #4

Sep 122009

Trailblazer EXT

  • miles
On Sept. 12th, the battery on my 2006 trailblazer died. While trying to jump the battery, sparks flew and the charge was unsuccessful. The battery was replaced that day with a new one. On Sept. 16th, the door control module on the driver's side stopped working and the fuel gauge was erratic. On Sept. 22nd, the entire control instrument panel stopped working. None of the gauges or displays work. On Sept. 24th, replaced the door control module with a used part to save money. The instrument panel still does not work, and from what I understand, both issues (door control module and instrument panel) are common problems with trailblazers. Chevrolet has not put either of these on the recall list. The instrument panel is not exactly a wear and tear item, and I have never had this part go out on any other car I've driven. The fix is $400-600 and the diagnostic test alone is $100. I cannot afford to get this fixed, and not having a speedometer, temperature or fuel gauge is a huge safety issue for a single mom and 2 young kids!

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #3

Mar 102009

Trailblazer EXT

  • 40,000 miles
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer ext gas tank does not read after filling up. A full tank reads empty. The fuel tank low fuel light comes on making it unusable.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #2

Nov 112008

Trailblazer EXT

  • 52,924 miles
There were no events that led to the part failure. I own a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer ext and have had multiple problems with the vehicle the most recent being, having to replace the alternator and battery due to a bad/faulty diode in the alternator.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #1

Apr 242008

Trailblazer EXT 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
Vehicle was on and being driven on the highway/freeway when it shut off and lost power. Vehicle came a stop and restarted vehicle and it did not start immediately after a few attempts it started as if nothing happened and I drove it home. Luckily I arrived home and entered my driveway and it shut off again and has not been able to be restarted since. I have not gotten any resolution or help from a Chevrolet company and they can not say what it possibly could be. There are trailblazer forums online that state the same by other owner who are experiencing the same. Please help as I and my kids could have been hurt or killed.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA