Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V248000 (Electrical System, Visibility). The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was running or while driving at various speeds, the passenger's window switch was depressed from the driver's side door panel, and there was a clicking sound coming from the front passenger's side of the vehicle, and the window failed to roll up or roll down. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions, when the driver's side window switch was depressed, the window failed to roll up or roll down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
.+Electrical system. Have read this speedometer issue can also cause other malfunctions on instrument panel such as cruise control issues. .+Driving a car with a broken or faulty speedometer is very dangerous. Not only can it put you in danger, but it can also jeopardize the safety of your passengers, and other drivers and pedestrians on the road. As for the law, you can also be ticketed for operating a vehicle with a broken speedometer, which can cost you fines and court fees, and even risk suspending your drivers' license. .+My mechanic has not had the chance to look at it yet as he isn't open till Monday. .+No other warnings were given prior to failure.
Driving vehicle turn it off turn back on drive somewhere and turn it off and go swimming for an hour came back go to go start it and would not start I believe it's the anti-theft system as we replaced the ignition switch and the ignition cylinder but my illumination selector for my gear selector nor my tachometer works nor do my front two windows or locks
Car randomly locks automatically by itself while car is parked and running. I have been locked out on several occasions. Locks while keys are in the ignition or if there just sitting in cup holder or wherever.
Several months ago, I was at a fast food drive up window. I had my drivers side window down while paying for my food and receiving my food. It was down pouring and the inside of my door got pretty wet. I wiped off the rain as best as I could but everything was soaked. The very next day the drivers side door controls started to go haywire. The window button stopped working and my door locks only worked occasionally until they stopped working all together. My side mirrors can no longer be adjusted from the drivers seat. I have to get out of the vehicle and manually adjust both driver and passenger side mirrors. I'm not sure if there is a short in the wiring from the rain or just what is going on. I asked a parts dealer to see how much it would cost to replace the drivers side door controls module and he was of no help except to say its a recall part because of moisture. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, smoke started coming through the vents of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the windshield wipers became inoperable. A fire and a police report were not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the circuit board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V406000 (electrical system, visibility); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the headlights became inoperable. The failure recurred on one other occasion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuse box shorted, overheated, caught fire, and melted the fuses to the headlights. As a result, the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, smoke entered the vehicle through the vents without warning. The contact also stated that flames were coming through the passenger side instrument panel. A fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring was burned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 5/15/15 updated 05/26/15
This issue started when the back hatch of the Trailblazer would not lock or open and the rear wiper would not work. After dealing with this for a few months the doors, windows and driver side seat stopped working. Also, the doors would not lock/unlock with the keyless entry. After some research, I changed the lgm fuse (it was blown). Once the fuse was changed everything started working except the back hatch. I manually locked the back hatch and closed it. Once the hatch was closed all of the doors locked and I could not open the truck. I manually used the key and opened the driver side door. When I opened the door I could hear the electrical wires burning in the door panel and throughout the truck. The truck was filled with smoke and smelt of burnt plastic. Luckily I was not inside the truck when the fire started because none of the unlock or window buttons worked. …
NHTSA investigations
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…
Electrical complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 251 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 23% of the model year's 1,108 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 38 fires and 5 injuries and 1 death to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.