Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 42% | 0 miles |
| 2025 | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2024 | 9 | 26% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 20 | 27% | 66,000 miles |
| 2022 | 19 | 17% | 3,000 miles |
| 2021 | 39 | 20% | 58,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 7% | 83,000 miles |
| 2008 | 33 | 17% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 34 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2006 | 67 | 6% | 96,000 miles |
| 2005 | 74 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 55 | 5% | 53,000 miles |
| 2003 | 80 | 9% | 53,000 miles |
| 2002 | 160 | 14% | 58,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 25% | — |
| 2000 | 2 | 8% | 28,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly shift into gear while the gear shift lever was in use. The check engine and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where several undisclosed fault codes were cleared. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer, where it remained for further investigation. The contact was informed that the transmission might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
I was stopped at a red light and when the light turned green to go, the car stalled. Steering wheel locked and I had to turn the car off and back on in the middle of traffic. This happened twice in one day to me. I brought it to the dealership and they cannot find a fix for this. The car also stalled on the service manager on the expressway.
The vehicle has experienced ongoing and unresolved issues despite multiple service visits. The primary concern is excessive engine vibration. It shakes concerningly when backed into a driveway at an incline and placed in park. This occurs while the vehicle is stationary and idling. The issue has been reproduced and acknowledged by a dealership service advisor during a test drive, who stated the vibration was excessive and concerning. However, no repair was completed, and no clear diagnosis has been provided. The vehicle has also displayed repeated error messages with no confirmed cause, ongoing Bluetooth connectivity issues even after system updates and resets, and a malfunctioning forward collision warning system. Prior repair attempts include replacement of the backup camera, center console, and exterior windshield trim. …
My vehicle started overheating out of no where towed it to the shop, it's been there for 2 weeks they're actively waiting for a manufacturer engineer to tell them what to do because they can't figure out how to fix it. On top of that there have been a lot of overheating issues cause by different parts on the vehicle. There was another trailblazer in the at the same time as mine that was also overheating! A 2025 vehicle should not be having issues at this point gmc should just take all the trailblazers off the market! Also they need to change their manufacturing warranty on rentals because not one person should not have to pay out of pocket for a rental when it's the manufacturers fault!
Almost every time I shift from park to drive and take my foot off the brake my car jolts forward a couple feet/inches to take off by itself in a manner that it should not. This has been going on since I got the car brand new and have had it just over a little over a year. I try to be as careful as I can with it and mentioned it to the Chevrolet dealership that does all my maintenance on my car. They are not sure what is causing the issue, but on 05/24/2025 I was attempting to get ready to get gas and needed to pull up slightly a little bit more and when I shifted to drive my car jolted forward and hit another vehicle. No damage was done to the other vehicle or mine, and the gentleman was nice and said it caused no damage for either of us but my car cannot keep doing this. …
My daughter was stopped at a stoplight and the auto-stop engaged. The light turned green and she began to accelerate when all of the error lights on the dash lit up, then the dash info system and infotainment system went out followed by the engine turning off and not restarting. While all of this happened, the vehicle behind me struck my daughter's car. Luckily it was at a low rate of speed and no one was injured. I took the car to the dealer and after nearly a week of testing they found nothing wrong and found no error codes in the system. They ere not able to replicate the problem. However, once we got the vehicle back a similar instance happed again, except just the dash info system and infotainment system went out and the car was still drivable. Once restarted the electronics came back on as normal. It has not happened again at this point. …
While driving 65-70 MPH cruise control will continuously "bog" down and act like it is wanting to cut off the whole vehicle. transmission is starting to act like it is slipping to the point where I am going all the way to the steering wheel before it catches again. Vehicle is under 36,000 miles and should not be having transmission issues. Radio has been replaced once before but is now doing the same thing where it is not recognizing my phone, directions given to it by touch on screen, and will even completely turn off while in the middle of driving. Will freeze and then act like the screen has 'water' damage. back up camera is not calibrated correctly. It states that I have more than enough room to make a turn but when looking into my mirrors, it is off by almost a foot and a half. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on three occasions, the vehicle was stopped and restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the wastegate actuator needed to be replaced, and DTC: P0299 was retrieved. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where DTC: P0299 was retrieved, and the contact was informed that the turbo or the wastegate actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic, where it was determined that the turbo and waste gate actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Trailblazer years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (160), 2003 (80), 2005 (74), 2006 (67) and 2004 (55) model years. Engine complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Trailblazer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Chevrolet Trailblazer model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Trailblazer engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (77 mentions), followed by the cooling system › fan (53).
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.