Most common 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Share of the 193 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Trailblazer complaints by model year
Best Trailblazer years: 2021, 2022. Years to avoid: 2005, 2002, 2006, 2004. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer:
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.
What 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners say
Electrical system all 65 →
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while parked in her driveway, the passenger side door caught fire without warning. The fire occurred overnight and in the morning, the contact and her boyfriend discovered both her passenger side door and front passenger seat melted. The contact believed that the fire smoldered overnight and eventually burned out on its own. The fire department was not notified and a fire report was not filed. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact's boyfriend discovered that the wiring inside the door had melted which may have caused the fire. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was a burning odor coming form the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving, the driver's side window and door lock lost power causing the door to be unable to lock. The contact also stated that the headlights dimmed at night. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the window motor switch, the HVAC temperature control motor, and the rear locking assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and proposed a discount toward a new vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000. ....updated 04/15/16
Air bags all 33 →
Both side curtain airbags deployed while driving down the street. The driver's seatbelt tightened then locked up. There was no obvious reason for the airbags to deploy. the vehicle was taken to a Chevy dealer to see if it was on recall list but they said it was not. Vehicle was referred to a body shop for estimate for repairs...$6,435.00....if you can find the parts. driver was shaken up by the deployment but not injured.
Yes I was driving on the 65 miles an hour in the passenger lane are carpool lane all the sudden for no reason both curtain airbags just deployed I had my head right next to knock me out cold I didn't proceed over and hit the wall 21 times just skip down in when I came to I thought I was I thought it and other vehicles likely that was not the case did cause some testa injury hurt might pull my car allegedly for my ribcage in got my neck in my head I see this is happened many times the 2008 but yet they keep saying there's no problem that even though it's a 2% lean and exposed the 16 for the role over to kick in that escape screwing everybody yeah the vehicles on the highway going straight no turns no bombs nothing just deployed I have video pictures of the wall it screwed up my rams and of course the 4 wheel drive messed up and show the back axle in the pumpkin so now thats whining so I …
Engine & cooling all 33 →
I was driving on the highway just reaching 55 mph, that is when all of a sudden, my suv stalled out with no warning no sound nothing. I tried to restart it and sounded as if it was trying to start but wouldn't. after a couple of times of trying that is when a tow truck came and as he was putting my suv on the flat bed I noticed huge amount oil on the ground. I got it towed to Chevy dealership for service and that is when they told me that the 6th cylinder cracked also a rod went through causing a hole in the engine block. I asked what could have caused it, because I'm on top of my maintenance and my suv only had 94,000 miles on it. That is when he explained to me that it was nothing that I did and that there was nothing that I could've done to prevent it and that there was nothing I did wrong that caused it. So, the leaves me asking, isn't that a manufacturing issue?
Engine dies while driving (losing propulsion, steering, brakes, etc.) and the key will not restart when turned forward (in neutral), while coasting, but will restart when the key is turned back and then forward again. In this case, coasting down and braking and turning right, possibly with right turn signal on. Died right before starting to turn the steering wheel at about 15-20 MPH. It was a clear dry 100 degree afternoon, on smooth pavement. We live on a bumpy dirt road that is just over a quarter of a mile long to reach our house. Similar to other GM ignition key / no air bag recall programs for similar model year vehicles, such as the hhr. There is no recall, but how many people does this happen to? Any deaths, yet? I don't believe the air bags May have worked, should we have been involved in an accident. …
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 19 / 16 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer a good car?
Based on 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Trailblazer rates better than average: 77% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Trailblazer at the same age. 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 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
The electrical system — 65 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the air bags (33) and engine & cooling (33).
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2002, 2006 and 2004. See the full Chevrolet Trailblazer years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 27% 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.