2001 Chevrolet Trailblazer 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 2001 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 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
- Brakes622.2%
- Engine518.5%
- Transmission311.1%
- Body & structure311.1%
- Powertrain (other)27.4%
- Electrical27.4%
- Airbags27.4%
- Tires & wheels13.7%
- Other / unspecified13.7%
- Heating & air conditioning13.7%
- Exterior lighting13.7%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR FOR THE TAILGATE MALFUNCTIONED, PREVENTING THE TAILGATE FROM OPENING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE UNABLE TO BE REPLACED WHEN FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW, ACTUATOR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN REPLACED THE REAR GLASS AND ACTUATOR AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2001 TRAILBLAZER CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING. AFTER HAVING IT SERVICED FOUND THAT MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FUSE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY. *TS *JB
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REFILL MORE THEN OFTEN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
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
MY 2001 CHEVY TB HAS ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AS THE RESULT OF A SUN SHIELD FAILURE AT 36K MILES. AS OF RIGHT NOW I AM AT 90K AND IT IS FAILING AGAIN. A QUICK SEARCH THROUGH EDMUNDS.COM SHOWS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. CHEVY HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THIS AND SINCE THEY WERE THE ONES WHO SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT BEFORE, THEY HAVE OBVIOUSLY NOT ATTEMPTED TO ENGINEER AN ADEQUATE FIX FOR THIS FAILURE. IF THIS FAILS ON AN INTERSTATE THERE WILL BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. *CN
I HAVE 2 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZERS AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED IN BOTH IN THE SAME WAY (BROKEN SUN SHELL). MY RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS FIXED BY GM STARTING IN 2003. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE. WE'VE HAD IT IN A FEW TIMES FOR REPAIR AS THE DRIVER'S DOOR HINGES WERE LOOSE. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC OF 13 YEARS THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. THE LAST REPAIR DID NOT HOLD LONG, JUST ABOUT A WEEK. THEN I BROUGHT IT TO OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER FOR REPAIR AS THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND BOUNCE AROUND ON BUMPS. I WAS TOLD THE CHEVY MECHANIC THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE DOOR, THAT I CAN TAKE IT TO THE BODY SHOP. MY PARENTS WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. JUST THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING THE DOOR WOULD LOOSEN, AND DROP OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR REPAIRS A FEW TIMES AS WELL. I HAVE HEARD FROM MY MECHANIC AND THE CHEVY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR FOR THE TAILGATE MALFUNCTIONED, PREVENTING THE TAILGATE FROM OPENING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS WERE UNABLE TO BE REPLACED WHEN FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW, ACTUATOR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN REPLACED THE REAR GLASS AND ACTUATOR AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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
2001 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HAD TO BE FIXED. IN 2016 TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN, REVERSE WENT OUT AND WOULDN'T SHIFT PROPERLY IN 1ST, 2ND GEAR. HAD TO BE REBUILT AGAIN.
SERVICED MY '02 TRAILBLAZER AT DEALER BEFORE TRIP TO MOUNTAINS OIL CHANGED, COOLANT CHANGED , BRAKES CHECKED. RETURNED AND NEXT DAY NOTICED A LEAK UNDER DRIVERS SIDE BEHIND FRONT WHEEL. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND TOLD THE TRANSMISSION BLEW AND NEED TO REPLACE FRONT PUMP COVER AND OTHER PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT AT $1700. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE ABS WARNING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,937 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,854. KMJ CONSUMER IS HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH CAR. EN KAY AUTOMOVITE GROUP HAS CAR AIND WILL NOT GIVE IT BACK. UPDATED 11/10/2011 *LN
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD GONE THROUGH FIVE RED LIGHTS, INTERSECTIONS, AND STOP SIGNS WITH NO BRAKES AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE: THE TIRES WERE OUT OF ROUND(ALL 4), THERE WERE NO BRAKE OR TAIL LIGHTS, THE ENGINE SURGED, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED, THERE WAS A SMOKE AND OR SMOKY ODOR, THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL FAILED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED, AND THE BATTERY DIED. *SCC
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
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, TRAILER STARTED TO FISHTAIL WHILE GOING DOWN HILL. TRAILER HAD SWUNG AROUND AND BROKE FREE OF THE HITCH AND HIT THE SIDE OF TRUCK. TRUCK GRAZED AN ENBANKMENT, AND WENT INTO THE MEDIUM STRIP, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND DRIVER SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY AND FRACTURED VERTEBRATE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON THE FRONTAL IMPACT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
AT A 25MPH VEHICLE CRASHED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
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
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD GONE THROUGH FIVE RED LIGHTS, INTERSECTIONS, AND STOP SIGNS WITH NO BRAKES AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE: THE TIRES WERE OUT OF ROUND(ALL 4), THERE WERE NO BRAKE OR TAIL LIGHTS, THE ENGINE SURGED, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED, THERE WAS A SMOKE AND OR SMOKY ODOR, THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL FAILED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED, AND THE BATTERY DIED. *SCC
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
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, TRAILER STARTED TO FISHTAIL WHILE GOING DOWN HILL. TRAILER HAD SWUNG AROUND AND BROKE FREE OF THE HITCH AND HIT THE SIDE OF TRUCK. TRUCK GRAZED AN ENBANKMENT, AND WENT INTO THE MEDIUM STRIP, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND DRIVER SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY AND FRACTURED VERTEBRATE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON THE FRONTAL IMPACT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A SEVERE MUSK ODOR IS GETTING INTO VEHICLE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS BEING USED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPLACED AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD GONE THROUGH FIVE RED LIGHTS, INTERSECTIONS, AND STOP SIGNS WITH NO BRAKES AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE: THE TIRES WERE OUT OF ROUND(ALL 4), THERE WERE NO BRAKE OR TAIL LIGHTS, THE ENGINE SURGED, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED, THERE WAS A SMOKE AND OR SMOKY ODOR, THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL FAILED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED, AND THE BATTERY DIED. *SCC
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 .