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 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the ignition was turned to the on position and there was smoke coming from the hood without warning. The contact turned the ignition back to the off position and opened the hood and discovered the head lamp driving module relay on fire. The contact extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was taken dealer where it was diagnosed that the accessory board failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,471.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the driver side door window would not close and the door locks randomly locked and unlocked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical door mechanism was faulty and needed to be replaced. In addition, a burning odor was present inside the vehicle coming from the driver side dual climate control. The mechanic diagnosed that the temperature actuator was inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The contact also indicated that the liftgate would not open. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side window erroneously rolled down and an electrical burning odor was present inside the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the window switch was charred and melted. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 139,000.
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. …
The driver door module does not work when it rains. I took this to a dealer and after they tested it told me it needed to be replaced $500. For part plus labor that they could not quote. I checked on line to find out if GM had recall on these vehicles and found that they did 2004 - 2007 mine is a 2008 experiences the exact issues that the others had but GM can't help me because my VIN # is not listed. Why did GM not try to help me with this issue? When over 184,000 vehicles where recalled for this issue. What do I need to do to see if I can get help to replace this? I wouldn't ask but I feel its only right to replace it after all those vehicles where recalled and mine is doing the exact same thing. It happens every time it rains apparently it leaks in the door some how and it gets wet and want work it controls seat heat, all door locks and windows and driver window. …
Repeated issue. Smell of smoke/burning triggers dash warning signals. Same dash warning signals come on without smell of smoke/burning. Cycle repeats itself without pattern, and includes during 4 wheel use. Vehicle taken to multiple Chevrolet dealerships for service (utah, north carolina and washington) with the dash warning lights on. Utah and nc claim unable to replicate event or identify problem, so listed as unknown without correction. GMC executive office interdiction resulted in replacement of stereo even though dash light indicate powertrain & electrical. Stereo broke 2 mos later. Gmeo and wa identified fuse issue related to 4 wheel drive, but unable to replicate smoke/burning before claiming issue resolved. Dash warning lights constantly come on and off indicating problem with powertrain/electrical. Gmeo closed case as resolved.
Takata recall, my 2008 Chevy Trailblazer has 110,000 miles on it and for the past year it seems that I've been having electrical problems. This problem have been going on for about 6 month. Every now and then my car wont start and I have to get a boost off to get it started again. I took my SUV to get the battery and alternator checked and they said everything looked great. Then after that I noticed that my rear brake lights were going haywire with blinking lights going on and off and the car was not on. After I noticed the blinking lights, I went to try to start the car and it was dead. Also, my front passenger door motor went out , so the window wont go up or down.. This is very frustrating can someone please tell me if there are recalls on any of these problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the cruise control started to drop, the engine started to lose power, and all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the failure recurred twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had informed the contact that there were no open recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Electrical complaints in other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 34% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. 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 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 11 fires and 1 injury 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.