2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system12956.1%
- Electrical4117.8%
- Exterior lighting114.8%
- Body & structure93.9%
- Visibility83.5%
- Engine62.6%
- Tires & wheels52.2%
- Airbags41.7%
- Other / unspecified31.3%
- Brakes31.3%
- Powertrain (other)31.3%
- Interior & seats31.3%
- Steering20.9%
- Driver assistance20.9%
- Transmission10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
" TAKATA RECALL" GM SAID MY RECALL HAD EXPIRED ON THE FUEL SENSOR IN 2015..I HAD IT REPLACE TWICE...2007 AND 2009...SO MANY RECALLS COULD NOT REMEMBER UNTIL GOING THROUGH FILES AND FOUND I DID HAVE THESE REPLACED
RAN OUT OF FUEL STUCK ON HIGHWAY, FUEL GAUGE ANOMALY, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR GM SUV VEHICLES FORM 2006-2009, CAN PUT FAMILY IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH CHILDREN I CAR AT A REMOTE LOCATION. SCARY....PLEASE HELP US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS WITH REGULARITY. HEADLIGHT RELAY DEFECTIVE. NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. GM DENIES THAT A RECALL EXISTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE JUMPSTARTED IN ORDER TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, AUXILIARY WATER PUMP, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS WITH REGULARITY. HEADLIGHT RELAY DEFECTIVE. NO REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. GM DENIES THAT A RECALL EXISTS. *TR
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS WORK BUT OTHER TIMES THEY TURN OFF. THE HIGH BEAMS AND MARKER LIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS AND OCCURS IN MOTION OR AT A STOP.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ELECTRIC SEAT CONTROL PANEL WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SEAT ON THE LOWER LEFT SIDE BECOMES DISLODGED UPON A LARGER PERSON SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. MY VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TAKEN TO A GM GARAGE AND THE PANEL WAS REATTACHED MORE THAN ONCE IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. THE SIDE PANEL STILL CONTINUES TO COME OFF. THE DISLODGING OF THIS PANEL COULD CAUSE THE SEAT TO MOVE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION UNEXPECTEDLY REPOSITIONING THE DRIVER AND CHANGE THE DRIVERS POSITION RELATIVE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE BRAKE AND GAS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
I HAD BY BACK HATCH OPEN AND I GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE TO CLOSE IT. I PULLED IT DOWN AND AS I PULLED IT DOWN I HEAR A POP AND ALL THE GLASS SHATTERED DOWN ON ME WITH THE DOOR STILL OPEN UP IN THE AIR. THREE WEEKS LATER I REPLACED THE WINDOW. (NOT A CHEAP GLASS ALMOST $1000 WITH LABOR TO REPLACE) THE MECHANIC OPENED AND CLOSED THE DOOR AND THE HATCH TO TEST FOR DEFECTS. ALL WENT WELL. I WENT TO CLOSE THE DOOR SO THAT I CAN LEAVE THE MECHANIC SHOP AND I HEARD THE POP AND THE GLASS SHATTERED AGAIN. GMC HAS NO RECALLS FOR THE 2006 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT LS AND I HAVE TO GO GET THIS BACK WINDOW AGAIN. THIS IS A GREAT TRUCK JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS BACK WINDOW. UGHHHH! *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WENT TO GET IN MY TRAILBLAZER AND THE WINDOW SWITCH PANEL WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL!! TOOK IT IN AND HERE TO FIND OUT THE PANEL WAS SMOKING AND SMELLED BURNED!! *TR
THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW AND DOOR LOCK HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST 1 1/2 YRS. THIS LAST MARCH, THE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING . THEN THE DOOR LOCK FOLLOWED AND THEN THE ENTIRE DOOR. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ANY ASPECT OF THE CAR WITH THAT DOOR. I MAKES A BUZZ-ZAPPING SOUND. I CANNOT LOCK THE WINDOWS AT ALL IN THE BACK, SO NOW MY YOUNG CHILDREN PLAY WITH THE WINDOWS AND HANG OUT THEM. THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO LOCK WHEN THE TRUCK IS PUT INTO GEAR, BUT THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 10 MINUTES INTO A TRIP , SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. IN THE LAST MONTH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING ALSO. MY SONS ARE NOW COMPLAINING OF HEARING A BUZZ, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK DOORS. I ASSUME IT IS THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE DOORS SINCE WE ARE DRIVING BUT IT IS UNABLE TO. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR ALSO HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL OR THE DOOR. IT WILL CHANGE ITS POSITIONING ALL BY ITSELF . I ALWAYS HAVE TO READJUST IT MANUALLY JUST TO FIND IT POINTING AT THE GROUND LATER ON. I TOOK IT TO MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND WHERE I LIMY LIVE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE APART FROM THE OBVIOUS ELECTRICAL ZAPPING THAT CAN BE HEARD, BUT IT IS ALSO FOR CHILDREN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I AM UNEMPLOYED AND IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $150 FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT, AND HE SAID THERE IS NO RECALL SO TO FIX IT, I WILL HAVE TO PAY. THERE IS CONSTANT EXPOSURE TO SALT AIR HERE IN FLORIDA. MY KIDS LIVES ARE AT STAKE. I DO NOT CARE WHERE I LIVE, THIS IS THERE SAFETY. WHAT IF THEY OPEN THE WINDOW AND GET HURT BECAUSE I CANNOT LOCK THE WINDOW BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR DOOR.THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE NATION WIDE AND IT NEEDS TO RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURTS. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON AUGUST 18, 2017, I LEASED-TO-OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FROM ACTION AUTO OF TUPELO, MS. AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER OF 2018, I HAD LEND SAID VEHICLE TO MY SISTER. SHE CONTACTED ME SAYING THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME, WHERE I INSPECTED IT WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY. TO RULE OUT EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE I ACKNOWLEDGED THE SOUND OF THE KNOCK BEING A SEVERE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE, I CONNECTED A DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER TO THE CAN DATA CONNECTOR ON THE 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. IN SECONDS THE SCREEN ON THE SCANNER WAS FLOODED WITH FAULTS, BUT THEN THE SCANNER STARTED BEEPING, SAYING THAT THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) HAD BEEN ACTIVATED. LOOKING AROUND THE VEHICLE I DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGN OF ANY AIRBAG BEING DEPLOYED, OR ANY SEATBELT MISSING. IT WASN'T UNTIL I CHECKED THE CONNECTORS COMING OUT OF THE AIRBAG MODULE THAT I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE MISSING. I INFORMED MY INSURANCE PROVIDER REGARDING THE ISSUE, WHICH THEY ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CURRENT ACCIDENT. IN WHICH IT WAS NOT. AFTER FURTHER EXPLANATION, THEY CANCELLED THE INSURANCE AS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ARE ONE OF THE CRITICAL KEY FACTORS THAT INSURANCE PROVIDERS USE TO DETERMINE WHETHER A VECHICLE IS TOTALED OR NOT. I CONTACTED ACTION AUTO OF OXFORD, MS, THEIR MAIN BRANCH I PRESUME, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND TO COME AND RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AS DRIVING IT WITHOUT INSURANCE IS A VIOLATION OF MISSISSIPPI'S STATE'S LAW, AND THE ENGINE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH MADE IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ACTION AUTO RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT I HAD BROKE PROMISES IN OUR AGREEMENT, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AUCTIONED OFF THIS YEAR, IN WHICH THEY DID. FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES ALL VEHICLES MADE AFTER 1997 ARE EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS AND TITLE 49 30112 FORBIDS THE SELL OF A NON-CONFORMING VEHICLE.
I'VE HAD MY TRAILBLAZER FOR TWO YEARS NOW ABOUT 4/2010 THE WINDOWS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN AND THE POWER LOCK STOPPED WORKING SO CHEVY REPLACED THE MAIN CONTROL SWITCH THEN ABOUT 6/2011 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SENSOR TWICE AND ABOUT 01/2012 THE WIPERS AND WASHER FLUID WOULDN'T SHUT OFF GOT A NEW WIPER MOTOR PUT IN AND NOW THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE 4/2012 HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM ALBANY BECAUSE THE TRUCK JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN SLOWED DOWN EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOW I HAVE TEN DIFFERENT CODES THAT CAME UP TWO FOR THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND SOLENOID THE KNOCK SENSOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND A FEW OTHER ONES... WE CALLED CHEVROLET AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS GOING ON NOR WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
4WD QUIT WORKING AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP TODAY I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE FOR OVER $2,000. ALREADY REPORTED THE FUEL SENSOR QUIT WORKING. TOLD BY A PHONE REP FOR NHTSA IT COULD TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR TO INVESTIGATE AND WAS GIVEN A PHONE NUMBER FOR THE FTC. MY CAR HAS UNDER 44,000 AND WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE WENT IT THERE WAS A SMELL OF SMOKE. *TR
MAY 30, 2007-LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT, HOLE ON INNER SIDE RIGHT BELOW TREAD-COULD NOT BE FIXED-BOUGHT NEW TIRE JUNE 16, 2007-RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY AND SHREDDED APART, HEAVY SMOKE-BOUGHT NEW TIRE JULY 5, 2007-RIGHT FRONT TIRE-HOLE BLOW TREAD ON INSIDE--CANNOT BE FIXED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON AUGUST 18, 2017, I LEASED-TO-OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FROM ACTION AUTO OF TUPELO, MS. AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER OF 2018, I HAD LEND SAID VEHICLE TO MY SISTER. SHE CONTACTED ME SAYING THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME, WHERE I INSPECTED IT WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY. TO RULE OUT EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE I ACKNOWLEDGED THE SOUND OF THE KNOCK BEING A SEVERE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE, I CONNECTED A DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER TO THE CAN DATA CONNECTOR ON THE 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. IN SECONDS THE SCREEN ON THE SCANNER WAS FLOODED WITH FAULTS, BUT THEN THE SCANNER STARTED BEEPING, SAYING THAT THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) HAD BEEN ACTIVATED. LOOKING AROUND THE VEHICLE I DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGN OF ANY AIRBAG BEING DEPLOYED, OR ANY SEATBELT MISSING. IT WASN'T UNTIL I CHECKED THE CONNECTORS COMING OUT OF THE AIRBAG MODULE THAT I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE MISSING. I INFORMED MY INSURANCE PROVIDER REGARDING THE ISSUE, WHICH THEY ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CURRENT ACCIDENT. IN WHICH IT WAS NOT. AFTER FURTHER EXPLANATION, THEY CANCELLED THE INSURANCE AS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ARE ONE OF THE CRITICAL KEY FACTORS THAT INSURANCE PROVIDERS USE TO DETERMINE WHETHER A VECHICLE IS TOTALED OR NOT. I CONTACTED ACTION AUTO OF OXFORD, MS, THEIR MAIN BRANCH I PRESUME, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND TO COME AND RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AS DRIVING IT WITHOUT INSURANCE IS A VIOLATION OF MISSISSIPPI'S STATE'S LAW, AND THE ENGINE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH MADE IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ACTION AUTO RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT I HAD BROKE PROMISES IN OUR AGREEMENT, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AUCTIONED OFF THIS YEAR, IN WHICH THEY DID. FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES ALL VEHICLES MADE AFTER 1997 ARE EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS AND TITLE 49 30112 FORBIDS THE SELL OF A NON-CONFORMING VEHICLE.
AS SOON AS YOU START VEHICLE....DASH SHOWS THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDS TO BE SERVICES AND IT STAYS ON THE WHOLE TIME OF YOUR JOURNEY..WHEN I LIFT MY SEAT TO GET CORRECT POSITIONING TO DRIVE IT STARTS TO HAVE THE BELL SENSOR RING, LIKE WHEN YOU DON'T YOUR SEAT BELT ON....BUT I HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON/FASTENED,,TOOK TO MTN VIEW CHEVROLET/CHATTANOOGA, TN...THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON WHY AND TOLD ME NO RECALL ON THIS VIN MODEL..SO I HAVE DECIDED TO ISSUE A COMPLAINT BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY.. THANK YOU.. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'VE HAD MY TRAILBLAZER FOR TWO YEARS NOW ABOUT 4/2010 THE WINDOWS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN AND THE POWER LOCK STOPPED WORKING SO CHEVY REPLACED THE MAIN CONTROL SWITCH THEN ABOUT 6/2011 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SENSOR TWICE AND ABOUT 01/2012 THE WIPERS AND WASHER FLUID WOULDN'T SHUT OFF GOT A NEW WIPER MOTOR PUT IN AND NOW THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE 4/2012 HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM ALBANY BECAUSE THE TRUCK JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN SLOWED DOWN EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOW I HAVE TEN DIFFERENT CODES THAT CAME UP TWO FOR THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND SOLENOID THE KNOCK SENSOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND A FEW OTHER ONES... WE CALLED CHEVROLET AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS GOING ON NOR WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 20 MPH AND THE DRIVERS WINDOW WENT DOWN BY ITSELF AND WOULDN'T GO BACK UP, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TRY TO START VEHICLE NOTHING HAPPENS AND THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER IT STARTS ON ITS OWN,WHEN IT RAINS ALL THE SPEAKERS QUIT WORKING EXCEPT THE FRONT TWEETER SPEAKERS, SOMETIMES WHEN I SHUT THE DRIVERS DOOR KIND OF HARD IT WONT START AND U CANT LOCK DOORS WITH KEYLESS ENTRY,FUEL GAUGE QUIT WORKING AFTER I FILLED UP WITH GAS. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY, EVEN AFTER FUSES WERE CHECKED BOTH UNDER THE HOOD AND BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE FUSE BOX (FUSE #12 & FUSE #34). THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD AND FAULTY WIRING SHOULD BE COVERED. FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS FOUND TO HAVE SWITCH WITH MELTED WIRING AS WELL, CHANGES BY MECHANIC AND I WAS INFORMED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 3 RECALLS THUS FAR THAT ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF SUCH FAULTS CAN CAUSE A FIRE WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL WIRINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO GET COMPENSATED FOR THE WORK DONE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAULTY WIRING SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AS THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER REFUSES TO FIX IT. *TR
MY 2006 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT IS JUNK! WE PURCHASED IT USED IN NOVEMBER OF 06 IT HAD AROUND 20,000 MILES IT NOW HAS 70,000 THE FRONT DOORS MAKE LOUD POPPING NOISES WHEN OPENED AND SHUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON HAVE HAD IT SERVICED TWICE WONT GO AWAY HAD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED ITS NOW MAKING A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE WHEN STARTED BEING DRIVEN HORRIBLE WIND NOISE FROM FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IT IS HORRIBLE! WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE WINDSHIELD JUST POPPED! IT WASN'T HIT BY A ROCK OR ANYTHING! BACK HATCH SEEMS TO BE COMING LOOSE HAVE HAD MANY MANY BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND SELINOIDS
UPON TURNING THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED UNKNOWN TO ME AT THE TIME BECAUSE THE SELECTOR SWITCH DID NOT INDICATE THIS.THE TRUCK BECAME DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AT LOW SPEEDS AS THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODE. WHILE TURNING THE TIRES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TURN MAKE A LARGER RADIUS THAN DO THE INNER TIRES.WITHOUT ANY SLIP THE VEHICLE TRIES TO MAINTAIN THE SAME LINEAR FOOTAGE TRAVEL BY EACH TIRE. THIS CAUSES THE TIRES TO BIND LOCK UP AND SKID DURING TURNS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON INTERNET FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A QUITE COMMON OCCURRENCE AND COULD CAUSE CRASHES WHILE TURNING. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND THE RESPONSE WAS FOR ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND PAY FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I DECLINED THEIR SUGGESTION AND OFFERED THE COMPROMISE OF TAKING IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT MY OWN COST,TO WHICH THEY DECLINED. PLEASE NOTE I DID NOT ASK THEM TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR COST BUT ONLY WANTED THEM TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE FOR DEFECTIVE DESIGN/MATERIAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATED SEAT SHORT CIRCUITED AND LOOKS LIKE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE BRIEFLY. MY HEAD LAMP MODULE WENT BAD AND IS RECALLED BUT NO REMEDY HAS BEEN SOLVED, DEALERSHIP REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BUT I CANNOT GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR DUE TO REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. RECALL DATE WAS NOV 25TH 2015 AM I SUPPOSE TO DRIVE WITHOUT LIGHTS FOR 13 MONTHS. SINCE I TOOK IT TOO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT WHY CANT I GET MY MONEY? PICTURE IS FROM THE INTERNET BUT IS ACTUALLY THE SAME AS MINE. I DO HAVE THE DEFECTED SEAT ELEMENT AT MY HOME.
THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW AND DOOR LOCK HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST 1 1/2 YRS. THIS LAST MARCH, THE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING . THEN THE DOOR LOCK FOLLOWED AND THEN THE ENTIRE DOOR. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ANY ASPECT OF THE CAR WITH THAT DOOR. I MAKES A BUZZ-ZAPPING SOUND. I CANNOT LOCK THE WINDOWS AT ALL IN THE BACK, SO NOW MY YOUNG CHILDREN PLAY WITH THE WINDOWS AND HANG OUT THEM. THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO LOCK WHEN THE TRUCK IS PUT INTO GEAR, BUT THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN 10 MINUTES INTO A TRIP , SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. IN THE LAST MONTH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING ALSO. MY SONS ARE NOW COMPLAINING OF HEARING A BUZZ, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK DOORS. I ASSUME IT IS THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE DOORS SINCE WE ARE DRIVING BUT IT IS UNABLE TO. THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR ALSO HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL OR THE DOOR. IT WILL CHANGE ITS POSITIONING ALL BY ITSELF . I ALWAYS HAVE TO READJUST IT MANUALLY JUST TO FIND IT POINTING AT THE GROUND LATER ON. I TOOK IT TO MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND WHERE I LIMY LIVE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE APART FROM THE OBVIOUS ELECTRICAL ZAPPING THAT CAN BE HEARD, BUT IT IS ALSO FOR CHILDREN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I AM UNEMPLOYED AND IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $150 FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT, AND HE SAID THERE IS NO RECALL SO TO FIX IT, I WILL HAVE TO PAY. THERE IS CONSTANT EXPOSURE TO SALT AIR HERE IN FLORIDA. MY KIDS LIVES ARE AT STAKE. I DO NOT CARE WHERE I LIVE, THIS IS THERE SAFETY. WHAT IF THEY OPEN THE WINDOW AND GET HURT BECAUSE I CANNOT LOCK THE WINDOW BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR DOOR.THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE NATION WIDE AND IT NEEDS TO RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MOST RECENT IS A DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR/WINDOW CONTROLS THAT HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. CONTROLS HAVE BEEN SPORADIC FOR OVER A MONTH AND HAVE NOW, AND IT STOPPED COMPLETELY WITH THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY NOT TO EXPERIENCE THE BURNING/MELTING ISSUE OTHERS HAVE BEFORE IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER - BUT MY WINDOW IS NOW IN THE DOWN POSITION AND CANNOT BE CLOSED. IN ADDITION TO THE DOOR/WINDOW CONTROLS, THE REAR WINDOW WIPER STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO SO TANK ALWAYS REGISTERS EMPTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. (I HAVE RECEIVED THE OFFER FROM CHEVY TO HAVE THE FUEL SENSOR REPAIRED, BUT BECAUSE I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS, I HAVE YET TO HAVE IT DONE -- CHEVY SHOULD PAY 100%, NOT 50%). I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE TIE RODS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT WAS JUST TOLD THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKING @ 60 MPH SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT (USED) FROM A DEALER. AFTER QUITE THE RUN AROUND AND FOUR EXTENDED STAYS AT THE DEALERS REPAIR SHOP IT WAS MAGICALLY TAKEN CARE OF AFTER I THREATENED TO FILE "LEMON LAW" PAPERWORK. I'M JUST DONE. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER, THE WINDOWS CONTROLS FOR THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN SPORADICALLY, EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WHICH WAS PROPPED CLOSED. ON OCCASION, WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIDOW BUTTON WAS TOUCHED MY MISTAKE, THE WINDOW WOULD MOVE SLIGHTLY UNTIL BEING STOPPED BY THE 2X4. THE CONSUMER FINALLY HAD THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE, AFTER WAITING ON THE PARTS. THE DEALER REMOVED THE 2X4 FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $105.55 TO GET THE WINDOW OPERATIONAL AGAIN. UPDATED 05/23/13
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY, IT HAS BEEN IN DEALER FOR OVER 30 DAYS. HAVE TRIED MANY THINGS TO REPAIR, NOTHING HAS WORKED. IT ONLY DOES IT SOME OF THE TIME SO IT IS HARD TO DIAGNOSE... I DO NOT WANT A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME AND MY KIDS!! PLEASE HELP US! MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE! DATE FEB 11, 2006 WAS FIRST DATE IN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR.... HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES! TO DATE THEY HAVE FIXED OR REPAIRED THE: TIRES, ROTORS, CALIPERS, MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER, (AND I AM SURE SOME OTHERS THAT I CAN'T THINK OF RIGHT NOW) THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! THE KUHR FAMILY. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WENT OUT AND SAID THERE WAS NO GAS IN THE CAR WHEN THERE WAS WHEN IT WAS STILL PRETTY NEW. SOMETIME DURING THE TRIP, IT WOULD SAY IT WAS FULL WHEN PREVIOUSLY IT SAID IT WAS NEAR EMPTY. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS I HAD OR HOW MUCH TO PUT IN THE CAR. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN STRANDED ALONE ON THE INTERSTATE AND PUT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I ALSO COULD NOT RENEW MY LICENSE TAG WITHOUT GETTING IT REPAIRED IN THE STATE OF GA. I THOUGHT THE $400 EXPENSE AFTER HAVING A NEW CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS FOR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WAS RIDICULOUSLY UNRELIABLE QUALITY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2006 TRAILBLAZER EXT. AFTER STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF MY HOME, I PRESSED THE CENTER BUTTON ON THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE TO OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR AND PROCEEDED TO TURN RIGHT AS TO POSITION THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW FOR BACKING-UP ONTO MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE RIGHT PARKING HALF OF MY GARAGE. BUT AS I SHIFTED THE TRAILBLAZER INTO REVERSE, I BEGAN TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SLIPPING, THE ENGINE WAS UNDER LOAD, AND IT WAS AS IF I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BUT, I ONLY USE MY RIGHT FOOT, AND MY LEFT FOOT WAS IN FRONT OF, AND AGAINST, THE DRIVERS SEAT, FAR AWAY FROM BOTH PEDALS. I LOOKED OVER TO THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DOWN. USING THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER, I MADE CERTAIN THAT IS WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT ON AT ANY TIME, NOR WAS THERE A WARNING FROM THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC), NOR WAS THERE ANY OTHER WARNING OR INDICATOR SHOWING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I STILL COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO MOVE. I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE, AND I COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT, BUT AGAIN, I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. AND, THERE WAS A LOAD ON THE ENGINE AS IF I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME AS I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKE WAS NOT BEING PRESSED, AND MY LEFT FOOT WAS FAR AWAY FROM THE PEDALS. FINALLY, AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE, I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS 'LET GO', AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR NORMALLY ONTO MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO MY GARAGE, BUT I WAS SHAKING A BIT AND AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2006 TRAILBLAZER EXT. AFTER STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF MY HOME, I PRESSED THE CENTER BUTTON ON THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE TO OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR AND PROCEEDED TO TURN RIGHT AS TO POSITION THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW FOR BACKING-UP ONTO MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE RIGHT PARKING HALF OF MY GARAGE. BUT AS I SHIFTED THE TRAILBLAZER INTO REVERSE, I BEGAN TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SLIPPING, THE ENGINE WAS UNDER LOAD, AND IT WAS AS IF I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BUT, I ONLY USE MY RIGHT FOOT, AND MY LEFT FOOT WAS IN FRONT OF, AND AGAINST, THE DRIVERS SEAT, FAR AWAY FROM BOTH PEDALS. I LOOKED OVER TO THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DOWN. USING THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER, I MADE CERTAIN THAT IS WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT ON AT ANY TIME, NOR WAS THERE A WARNING FROM THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC), NOR WAS THERE ANY OTHER WARNING OR INDICATOR SHOWING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I STILL COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO MOVE. I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE, AND I COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT, BUT AGAIN, I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. AND, THERE WAS A LOAD ON THE ENGINE AS IF I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME AS I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKE WAS NOT BEING PRESSED, AND MY LEFT FOOT WAS FAR AWAY FROM THE PEDALS. FINALLY, AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE, I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS 'LET GO', AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR NORMALLY ONTO MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO MY GARAGE, BUT I WAS SHAKING A BIT AND AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .