Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 stated that while driving, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle jerked and vibrated abnormally. In addition, the thermostat temperature gauge increased, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive or reverse. The vehicle was towed to the residence.
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. …
The front drive axle that goes through the oil pan housing became off balanced, and the vibrations caused sequential breakdowns through all of the connecting parts during normal use, such as the oil pan axle seals, front differential seals, front differential internal gears, cv joints, wheel seals, and the corresponding front axle systems. When the wheel seal vibrated loose, the gear lube sprayed over the engine block, and caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to the shop. The mechanic predicts that the offending off-balanced axle May lock up while driving if not replaced. Note: the date listed is the date of the fire in the engine compartment, but there are many ongoing issues with all of the parts listed, especially the internal disintegration of the front differential.
There is a defect with the vehicles electronic control module. This is not something that the consumers are causing, this defect causes the vehicle to shut off at random times, and will not start back up for several minutes. This is extremely dangerous. I have searched hundreds of forums on a fix for this only to find hundreds of thousand of people that are dealing with the same thing. Chevy needs to step up and take responsibility for this! I am sure there have been lives lost because of the vehicles shutting off on busy highways, and streets. When this happens you are a sitting duck, and have to wait till the vehicle decides it wants to start back up. This happens while driving on the highway, or city roads. At random intervals. It is extremely dangerous, and I am amazed that there has not been a recall for this. …
Whether the car is turned on, or off with or without key in the ignition, it has a small speaker or tweeter that steadily stays making a faint buzz. The center console is very loose, and if you press or knock up against the right side or the back side, it becomes louder and/or quieter. Then while in auto (2wd-4wd^or4wdl) and driving, the transmissions feels to not switch geer at the right time, or from drive to reverse and back to drive it jolts forward or back really hard.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the fuel, oil and speedometer gauge failed to provide an accurate reading. The contact also stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 241,539. The VIN was not available.
When turn the car off and remove the key from the ignition, there are two speakers that continue to make static noise, whether I have opened the door or not. If I bump or hit the center console it will make the speakers louder or turn off. The check engine light is on for multiple codes, and I have worn out shocks. The shocks should make me feel as if I am gliding, bur I feel and jerk to every bump.
4wd switch no longer lit up to show what it was in (4 options: 2wd, auto, 4h, 4l). Control module changed and now stability control is permanently lit up as well as original problem exists. Other than to continue to change part after part after part and sink thousands of dollars into an undiagnosible problem there doesn't seem to be an answer. Meantime the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Driving along at 30 MPH and stepped on gas to speed up to 45 MPH which was the new speed limit, when tried to accelerate I had nothing. It was like the transmission was in neutral. I have no r/d/d3/d2/d1, not even in 4wd. The transmission is gone. I was coming home from a 40 mile trip, there was no warning of any problems at all. It ran fine the whole trip and the nothing. Thx
My wife was driving our 2006 Chevy Trailblazer, and without any notice while in drive it stop accelerating. All the gears were affected (d,r,1,2,3 ) we turned off the vehicle, turned it back on and the vehicle drove for a few miles and then again without notice did the same thing.
Transmission complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 5% of the model year's 1,108 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.