Chevrolet Trailblazer Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Trailblazer model year from 2000–2026 using 7,155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 29 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2005, 2002, 2006 and 2004, which drew far more complaints than other Trailblazer years at the same age. The best years are 2021 and 2022.

16model years
7,155complaints
29recalls
2005, 2002worst years
2021, 2022best years

Complaints by model year

’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’21’22’23’24’25’2626201.1k9011.1k1.5k1.1k7321932719611273342512
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Trailblazer. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202612typical1EngineFew
202525typical1ElectricalAverage
202434typical1ElectricalAverage
202373typical—EngineAverage
2022112−47%1TransmissionGood
2021196−49%4ElectricalGood
200927−96%—HeadlightGood
2008193−77%—ElectricalGood
2007732−14%5Fuel SystemAverage
20061,1081.6×8Fuel SystemCaution
20051,4662.1×2ElectricalAvoid
20041,0811.5×2ElectricalCaution
20039011.2×8ElectricalAverage
20021,1491.7×12TransmissionCaution
200120−98%—EngineGood
200026−97%—TransmissionGood

* Complaints compared with the median Trailblazer year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Trailblazer problems

Latest Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 26V-539 · Aug 20, 2026 · 306,511 vehicles

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, if necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 17, 2026. Another letter will be mailed once the parts are available.

Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift › Stand

NHTSA recall 21V-440 · Jun 10, 2021 · 135,400 vehicles

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021.

Service brakes

NHTSA recall 20V-588 · Sep 24, 2020 · 3,677 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020.

Seats › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 20V-537 · Sep 3, 2020 · 105 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 20V-295 · May 21, 2020 · 20 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles factory-equipped with optional 17-inch sport terrain tires. The certification label on these vehicles does not provide the tire size and cold tire pressure information for front and rear tires, as required.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will mail corrected labels for customers to apply, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

All 29 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer should you avoid?

2005, 2002, 2006 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Trailblazer years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2005.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Trailblazer?

2021 has the fewest complaints compared with other Trailblazer years at the same age, followed by 2022. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Chevrolet Trailblazer problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (2,356), fuel & propulsion system (2,028) and lights (770). Electrical complaints peak in the 2004 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Trailblazer had?

29 recalls across 2000–2026. The model year with the most is 2002. See all Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls by year.

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.