Chevy Trailblazer Problems: 12 Common Issues (Explained)

The Chevy Trailblazer is a popular SUV, which is why it returned after an eight-year hiatus. Despite its popularity, there are several common problems that owners have reported.

Table of Contents

This article will look at some faults the Chevy Trailblazer presents.

Before we start, bookmark our article about how long the Chevy Trailblazers last.

1. Road Noise

When you buy a new car, you don’t want to listen to the road while you drive.

Unfortunately, that’s precisely what many Chevy Trailblazer owners have to deal with.

There have been multiple reports of road noise coming from the tires or suspension. Sometimes, it’s so bad that it makes it difficult to enjoy the car’s stereo system.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is an economy SUV. As such, it’s not surprising that it would have some noise issues.

Noise-canceling technology is available on many vehicles, but there have been no reports of Chevy putting it in their Trailblazers.

Instead, it’s a premium feature other SUVs add to improve the experience for their customers.

In his review of the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, Miguel Cortina, the managing editor for MotorTrend en Espanol, complained that

“every bit of noise generated by those bumps rings loud and clear inside the vehicle.”

The only way to avoid this problem is to purchase the AWD model with active noise cancellation.

And even that doesn’t guarantee a quiet ride. In a review of the ACTIV, the top-of-the-line trim for the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the person testing the vehicle complains that you can hear every bump on the road despite the smooth ride.

2. Body Shakes

Your car should stay in place when you’re driving on the highway.

Unfortunately, some Chevy Trailblazers shake so much that it ruins the driving experience for new owners.

Cortina listed this problem in his review of the 2021 Trailblazer.

“Over the broken pavement, the body shakes like a wet dog.”

It’s not only shaky over bumps and imperfections in the road. Users report the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer shakes at highway speeds, making some drivers feel unsafe in the popular SUV.

Unlike the noise problems, you can’t ignore the body shaking. It’s a safety hazard that needs to be addressed.

First, the vehicle shouldn’t shake at any speed.

Common reasons your Chevy Trailblazer shakes are a bad axle, rusty suspension or steering parts, and misaligned wheels.

How can you fix body shakes?

First, make sure your wheels are balanced and have adequate tire pressure. Take the vehicle for maintenance and tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.

This step will reduce the wear and tear on your tires and help the SUV stay stable at high speeds.

Also, consider wheel rotation. Rotating the tires can help prevent your SUV from tilting or shivering when you drive on rough roads.

This service is a regular part of vehicle maintenance that can reduce wear and tear.

3. Speed Control Issues

A safety system defect that GM is working on involves unintended acceleration.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating complaints of unintended acceleration in the Chevrolet Trailblazer.

The NHTSA received multiple reports from Chevy Trailblazer owners that their vehicles accelerated out of control at speeds above 40 MPH, with one driver reporting speeds of over 100 MPH.

What can you do to avoid unintended acceleration?

The vehicle owners with this problem also reported the brake pedal didn’t stop the SUV effectively. This is a significant safety issue that requires action. Turn the vehicle off and take it to the dealership.

Luckily, this issue is limited and may not affect you. You can read more about the complaints from January 2022 at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.

4. Sluggish Engine

The standard Chevrolet Trailblazer trim is not for you if speed and handling are what you desire. Even the turbo engine struggles to get up to 60 MPH.

However, if you’re looking for a safe family SUV that can carry up to seven passengers, the Trailblazer makes an excellent choice.

One of the most common problems with the Chevrolet Trailblazer is its sluggish engine. The three-cylinder base engine is weak and lazy, taking a long time to get up to 60 miles per hour.

It also struggles to pass vehicles at highway speeds.

One typical complaint is the slowness of the basic engine, which affects not just acceleration but also the whole driving experience. This problem is caused by components of the fuel system and ignition, which contribute to the engine’s sluggish behavior.

Luckily, Chevy also offers a more powerful 1.3-liter turbo engine option that can crank out up to 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque.

While this model is still not the quickest SUV on the road, it offers significantly better performance than the base engine.

This is especially useful for drivers looking for better gas mileage and a more enjoyable driving experience.

5. Equipment Failure

The Chevy Trailblazer has been recalled for several issues, including equipment failure that can cause a fractured jack.

In some cases, the emergency jack included with the SUV may not be positioned appropriately. If this happens, it can fracture while in use and cause the vehicle to collapse.

This increases the risk of injury for anyone inside the SUV.

If you need to use the emergency jack, carefully follow your owner’s manual instructions.

Take your vehicle to the dealership to replace the jack to fix the problem.

You should also take your SUV in for regular maintenance and tire rotations to help keep it running smoothly and safely on the road.

6. Failure of Electric Brake Boost

You never want to experience a problem with your brakes. Unfortunately, one of the recalls for the Chevy Blazer involves the electronic brake boost assist sensor.

If the sensor connection gets contaminated, it can interrupt the communication between the sensor and the brake boost system. This is an electrical system problem.

This can lead to a loss of braking power, increasing the risk of an accident.

It’s vital to take your SUV to the dealership to fix this issue immediately. There’s nothing you can do on your own end to correct or stop the problem.

Customers also reported squealing brakes, power steering issues, and premature wear on the tires.

The best way to avoid these problems is to take your vehicle in for regular maintenance and check-ups. You should also be cautious when driving and stay up-to-date with recalls.

7. Missing Front Seat Attachment Bolts

Some vehicles had an error during the manufacturing process, which led to missing front seat attachment bolts. The full scope of the recall is unknown.

This problem is significant and requires an immediate trip to your dealership for repair.

This can cause the seats to become detached from their mounting points, posing a risk of injury to passengers.

If you notice the seat is loose, contact your dealership immediately to fix this problem. Don’t drive the vehicle until it’s been adequately repaired.

Overall, the Chevy Trailblazer has several common issues that can affect you and your family’s safety and performance on the road.

8. Stiff Ride

While the Chevy Trailblazer is a great SUV for families, it’s not the most comfortable ride available. On- or off-road, customers report feeling every bump and uneven pavement.

The suspension is on the stiff side, leading to a bumpy and jarring ride over uneven roads.

The trailblazer also struggles to smooth out bumps and potholes. None of the trim levels offered on the SUV offer an enhanced suspension, making it difficult to improve the ride quality.

What’s disappointing is the stiff ride means the iconic Trailblazer isn’t suitable for off-road adventures, either. So, that’s clearly a downer if you’re looking for an SUV that can take on some tough terrain.

Overall, if you’re looking for a comfortable ride, you may want to consider a different SUV, such as the Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer.

9. Transmission Performance

The optional nine-speed automatic transmission in the Trailblazer has been found to vary significantly during testing.

In one test vehicle, it drove well with no hiccups.

However, a second test vehicle with the same transmission took longer to drop and ruined the driving experience completely.

Combined with the sluggish engine, the Trailblazer doesn’t get a good score for power and performance.

If you’re looking for an SUV with a smooth and responsive transmission, it’s best to look for a different vehicle.

10. Low Comfort For Larger Drivers

Drivers who aren’t petite may find the Chevy Trailblazer uncomfortably snug. This is because they have constructed the seat and interior design for smaller bodies, which leads to a cramped feel for taller drivers.

The back seats don’t offer a lot of wiggle room, either.

The smaller size means it really doesn’t seat five passengers comfortably. If you have a larger frame, it’s best to test drive the Chevy Trailblazer before making a purchase.

So, if you’re looking for an SUV that can accommodate a larger family or taller passengers, the Trailblazer may not be the best option.

Ultimately, you might want to consider a three-row SUV that’s better for multiple people on a road trip, since you may find the SUV too uncomfortable for regular use.

While it has its fair share of problems, it’s still a good option for small families that need space and utility.

To improve your driving experience and stay safe on the road, visit the dealership regularly for maintenance and checkups.

Go back to see problems for all Chevrolet models.

11. Safety Recalls

Since 2020, Chevy Trailblazers have been subjected to sixteen safety recalls, ranging from braking issues to missing parts.

So, if you own a Trailblazer, you may need to take it to the dealer to get these concerns resolved. It’s crucial to remember that not all trim levels or vehicles are affected by every recall.

Here are some of the most important recalls:

Fractures in the front lower control arm.
The electronic brake boost system sensor must be replaced.
Front seats slide due to a lack of rear attachment fasteners.
Inadequate calibration of the transfer case control module, which might lead to an accident.
Fractures during deployment may inhibit airbag fullness.
Welds on the back floor are missing, presenting a danger of deterioration.

There have been 10 recalls from the years 2021 – 2023:

Electronic brake boost system sensor
Emergency jack failure
The front seat missing bolts

It’s important to note that even if your vehicle is no longer under warranty, Chevy will address these recalls for you.

12. Electrical Problems

Trailblazer owners have reported a variety of small and serious electrical issues affecting various components of their vehicles.

Here is a closer look at some:

Window Wiper Electrical Connections: Some owners experienced deterioration in the window wiper electrical components.
Poorly lighted Dashboards, Speedometers, and Gauges: It is critical for safe driving to have a clear view of instruments, particularly the fuel gauge and check engine light.
Power door and window switches that do not work: Power door and window switches are critical electrical components for convenience and safety.
Forward Collision Prevention and Automatic Braking Systems: These systems are crucial in preventing accidents, and any failure might weaken the safety net of your vehicle.
Malfunctioning Speedometer: A malfunctioning speedometer that displays inaccurate speed readings while driving is a major safety risk.

In addition to the reported difficulties, Trailblazer owners should be cautious of potential faults with additional electrical components, such as engine lights and dashboard warning light.

Sources:

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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.

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