Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 25% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 15% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 17 | 23% | 40,000 miles |
| 2022 | 16 | 14% | 15,000 miles |
| 2021 | 32 | 16% | 5,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% | 113,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 8% | 68,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 2% | 91,000 miles |
| 2006 | 28 | 3% | 66,000 miles |
| 2005 | 29 | 2% | 82,000 miles |
| 2004 | 24 | 2% | 47,000 miles |
| 2003 | 36 | 4% | 63,000 miles |
| 2002 | 55 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 20% | 77,000 miles |
| 2000 | 4 | 15% | 11,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Event happened on January 19th 2026. I've had my brand new car for 10 days and on the morning of the 10th day I started it to see multiple warnings. The car was in park and had not yet moved that day and a "Service Stabilitrak" came up. Once I started moving 2 more alerts came up "Break system failure, 62MPH top speed" and "Service power steering". I brought it to the dealer and they diagnosed it with a Master Break Cylinder failure. The car has 120 miles on it. And due to the part being on back order I've been without that new car for over 3 weeks now.
My new vehicle was stuck in park the dealership replaced a control module then a gear shift assembly and now some kind of brake switch and im nervous that the vehicles is unsafe. The dealership has not been letting me know much I've had to call and they won't give me any paperwork.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that when the parking brake was released, the vehicle jerked. The contact stated when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked. The contact stated that whenever the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test within several days. In addition, the contact stated that the engine was recently replaced due to an oil leak. The vehicle had been serviced by the dealer several times due to the persistent failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving 3-65 MPH there was an abnormal squealing sound detected. When the brake pedal was applied, the vehicle shuddered and skipped. There seemed to be a pulsation in the brakes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to Bulletin Number 22-NA-026: The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined there was 10 percent braking. There was devitt in the rear brakes and rotors. The caliper pin placement was off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined the brakes needed to be replaced and resurfaced. The brakes were replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal felt extremely firm and was difficult to depress. The contact stated that his wife needed to anticipate the stopping distance to apply enough force to the brake pedal while stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, but the technicians continuously stated that there was no failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with an inoperable brake master cylinder. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer with the information; however, the dealer stated that the brake master cylinder replacement was not necessary. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle independently activated the brakes while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel independently veered towards the right. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the brake master cylinder assembly was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer and was left for further investigation. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine fans were activated however, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the engine thermostat as faulty. The thermostat was replaced, and the failure was remedied. Also, while driving the vehicle would jerk and hesitate while changing gears. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure was a transmission issue. No further information was available. Also, while driving 27 MPH, the service brake system failure" message suddenly displayed, and the brake pedal was hard while pressed. The parking brake was activated. Moments later the message "power steering failure" displayed and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. After the failure, the "Service ESC" and "Service Power Steering" messages were displayed. The contact stated that months later, upon starting the vehicle, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed and the vehicle failed to recognize that the shifter was still in park(P). The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the braking system needed to be updated and that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 15,000.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a left-front brake pipe with a circumferential score at a random location along the length of the pipe as the result of the manufacturing process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe. Owner notification began on May 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Trailblazer years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (55), 2003 (36), 2021 (32), 2005 (29) and 2006 (28) model years. Brake complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Trailblazer brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 20V-588 (service brakes, Sep 24, 2020); 03V-151 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Apr 23, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Trailblazer brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (27 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (19).
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.