Most common 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT problems
Share of the 189 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT complaints by model year
Best Trailblazer EXT years: 2002, 2006. Years to avoid: 2003. Compare all years →
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT recalls (6)
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board.
Remedy: Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on March 31, 2006.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose May fracture and leak fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on October 14, 2005.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT:
Loss of Headlights
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.
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on February 9, 2012 in response to complaints alleging driver door module melting and/or burning in MY 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers. In response to ODI's Information Request letter, General Motors presented 167 reports and 698 warranty claims that related to the alleged problem.
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V-406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than…
What 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 129 →
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. [redacted]
" 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
Electrical system all 41 →
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.
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.
Lights
As identified in recall # 14V755000, the low beam headlamps will turn off at random times. This have happened several times during darkness hours and is increasing. In one case, an accident was barely avoided. I was recently (nov. 13, 2015) told by the GM dealer - the vehicle VIN # does not list this as a recall item. ???? Last occurence is listed below.
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.
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT a good car?
Based on 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Trailblazer EXT rates average: 22% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Trailblazer EXT at the same age. It is one of the best Trailblazer EXT years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT?
The fuel & propulsion system — 129 complaints, 68% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › fuel gauge system. Next are the electrical system (41) and lights (11).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, the most recent from September 24, 2015 (power window devices and controls). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003. See the full Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.