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2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer, most often about the electrical (34% of complaints, typically around 76,000 miles). It is 8th of 17 Trailblazer model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Electrical
65 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, alternator/generator/regulator, wiring.
The driver door module does not work when it rains. I took this to a dealer and after they tested it told me it needed to be replaced $500. For part plus labor that they could not quote. I checked on line to find out if gm had recall on these vehicles and found that they did 2004 - 2007 mine is a 2008 experiences the…
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the front passenger side window was opened and the door caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire and informed the contact that the circuit board in the door panel caused the fire. The front driver side window had also…
Air bags
33 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
On a exit ramp (concrete) going about 30 MPH when both side air bags unexpectedly deployed, brake pedal went all the way to the floor, no braking, pumping the brake corrected them and stopped the car. Brakes now seem normal. Both front seat belts are now locked. The car has no damage on the body or tires. G m has…
Was traveling 40 MPH and was hit head on by another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. Was on a city street with a 40 MPH speed limit. Going straight.
Engine
33 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that after engine startup, the exhaust became abnormally loud. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who confirmed that the exhaust manifold was cracked and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was…
Purchased this vehicle from a dealer. The next day the truck was dead. It has since had the battery replaced 3 times. The exhaust manifold cracked at 82,000. The number 4 position on the blower does not work. The stabiltrak lights come on for no reason and go off for no reason. With all of the complaints, something…
Lights
17 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the ignition was turned to the on position and there was smoke coming from the hood without warning. The contact turned the ignition back to the off position and opened the hood and discovered the head lamp driving module relay on fire. The contact…
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the low beams failed to illuminate. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Brakes
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
While driving the 2008 Trailblazer I started to experience a loss of brake pedal with the travel going all of the way to the floor, with hardly any braking function or stopping action. It was intermittent and would not happen more then once or twice at first. Then when I was in a parking lot, the brakes failed again…
My daughter traveling at approximately 55 MPH, saw car in front of her stopped at a stop light. She attempted to slam on the brakes, it felt as if she was not stopping at all. She hit the stopped car, pushed both of our cars through the intersection to the other side. Her airbag did not deploy, onstar did not contact…
Seat belts
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear/other.
While I was driving down the road, both curtain side air bags deployed at same time. There were no other cars on the road, so I was able to stop the vehicle without causing an accident. The airbag on the driver side pushed me over so hard that it broke my center console. My lower back still hurts, but I am hoping the…
On a exit ramp (concrete) going about 30 MPH when both side air bags unexpectedly deployed, brake pedal went all the way to the floor, no braking, pumping the brake corrected them and stopped the car. Brakes now seem normal. Both front seat belts are now locked. The car has no damage on the body or tires. G m has…
Steering
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
After having taken a 25 mile trip, I discovered a large puddle of oil under my car and upon inspection found the power steering lines had all rusted in a shock mount and ruptured releasing the power steering fluid. My mechanic said if all the oil had drained out, it would have burned up the pump and cost an additional…
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the power steering was leaking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Transmission
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I bought this vehicle back in september 2009. Ever since I bought the vehicle I have had problems with the traction control lights coming on for no apparent reason. This happens when its hot and cold, dry or wet. Just starting the engine makes then come on. I have been back to the dealer for 2 years now for the same…
While driving on highway, stopped at a light, I went to accelerate and truck lurched forward, made a loud bang and would not engage. The engine whines when accelerator is pressed, but no movement. Also, vehicle would roll back without the emergency brake on. There were zero warnings prior to complete failure of truck.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
The subject vehicles are model year (my) 2002-2009 chevrolet trailblazer, gmc envoy, 2004-2007 buick rainier, 2003-2008 isuzu ascender, 2005-2009 saab 9-7x, 2002-2004 oldsmobile bravada, 2003-2006 chevrolet ssr, 2005-2009 buick lacrosse, and 2006-2008 pontiac grand prix. This scope includes the trailblazer/envoy variants: 2002-2006 envoy xl/trailblazer ext and 2004-2005 envoy xuv. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject headlight driver module (hdm). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by general motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicle
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (65 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles); air bags (33 complaints, typically around 78,500 miles); engine (33 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- It is 8th of 17 Trailblazer model years by number of complaints, with 193 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.