Common Failures Of The Chevrolet Trailblazer: Problems, Opinions And More
The Chevy Trailblazer is a popular SUV, so it’s back after an eight-year hiatus. Despite its popularity, there are several problems that owners have reported. Stay until the end and discover here everything about the common failures of the Chevrolet Trailblazer .
If you’re looking at the Chevy Trailblazer, you should know that it’s surprisingly affordable. However, there are also some common complaints although some say it’s an excellent SUV.
Common failures of the Chevrolet Trailblazer
When someone begins the process of looking for a car, whether new or used, it is important to research the model you are interested in to see if it will hold up for the long term. It doesn’t matter what brand you’re looking for; All brands have their pros and cons.
Here we will offer you a look at the main problems of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, you will know in this post the details of the failures and the years of the affected model. Here are the most common failures of the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
1. Road noise
When you buy a new car, you don’t want to hear the road while you drive. Unfortunately, that is precisely what many Chevy Trailblazer owners have to deal with.
There have been multiple reports of road noise coming from the tires or the suspension. Sometimes, it’s so bad that it makes it hard to enjoy the car stereo system. The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a budget SUV. As such, it’s not surprising that it has some noise issues.
Noise-canceling technology is available on many vehicles, but there have been no reports of Chevy putting it on its Trailblazers. Instead, it’s a premium feature that other SUVs add to enhance their customer experience.
The only way to avoid this problem is to purchase the AWD model with active noise cancellation. And even that doesn’t guarantee a quiet ride. In a review of the ACTIV, the top-of-the-line Chevrolet Trailblazer trim, the vehicle’s tester complains that you can hear every bump in the road despite the smooth ride.
2. Faults in the fuel level sensor
The erratic nature of the fuel gauge may not seem like a big problem, but it’s garnered a lot of complaint from consumers. Some consumers reported that the count was off, while others shared that the indicator was getting stuck on empty. The problem could be fixed on high mileage vehicles by replacing the entire fuel pump module assembly.
3. Body jerks
Your car should stay put when you drive down the road. Unfortunately, some Chevy Trailblazers shake so much that they ruin the driving experience for new owners.
It doesn’t just shake over potholes and road imperfections. Users report that the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer shakes at highway speeds, making some drivers feel unsafe in the popular SUV.
Unlike noise problems, body shaking cannot be ignored. It’s a safety hazard that needs to be addressed.
First of all, the vehicle should not shake at any speed. The most common reasons your Chevy Trailblazer shakes are a bad driveshaft , rusted suspension or steering parts, and misaligned wheels.
How can you fix body shake?
First, make sure your wheels are balanced. Have the vehicle serviced and rotate tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles (8,000 to 11,000 kilometers). This step will reduce tire wear and help the SUV remain stable at high speeds.
Also, consider the rotation of the wheels. Tire rotation can help prevent your SUV from tipping or shaking when driving on rough roads. This service is a regular part of vehicle maintenance that can reduce wear and tear.
4. Speed control problems
One safety system flaw GM is working on has to do with unintentional acceleration. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US is investigating complaints of unintentional acceleration in the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
NHTSA received multiple reports from Chevy Trailblazer owners that their vehicles sped out of control at speeds in excess of 40 MPH, with one driver reporting speeds of over 100 MPH.
What can be done to prevent unintentional acceleration?
Vehicle owners with this problem have also reported that the brake pedal did not stop the SUV effectively. This is a significant security issue that requires action. Turn off the vehicle and take it to the dealer. Luckily, this problem is limited and may not affect you.
5. Slow engine
The standard trim of the Chevrolet Trailblazer is not for you if you want speed and handling. Even the turbo engine struggles to get to 60 MPH. However, if you’re looking for a safe family SUV that can carry up to seven passengers, the Trailblazer is an excellent choice.
One of the most common failures of the Chevrolet Trailblazer is its slow engine. The base three-cylinder engine is weak and sluggish, taking a long time to hit 100 kilometers per hour. You also have a hard time passing vehicles at highway speeds.
Luckily, Chevy also offers a more powerful 1.3-liter turbo engine option that can put out up to 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Although this model is still not the fastest SUV on the road, it offers significantly better performance than the base engine.
6. Failure in the equipment of the Trailblazer
The Chevy Trailblazer has been recalled for various issues, including equipment failure that can cause a broken jack. In some cases, the emergency jack included with the SUV may not be properly positioned. If this happens, it may fracture during use and cause the vehicle to crash.
This increases the risk of injury to anyone inside the SUV. If you need to use the emergency jack, carefully follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.
Take your vehicle to the dealer to replace the jack and fix the problem. You should also take your SUV in for regular maintenance and tire rotations to keep it running smoothly and safely on the road.
7. Failure to drive the electric brakes
Maybe you never want to experience a problem with your brakes. Unfortunately, one of the Chevy Blazer recalls involves the electronic brake assist sensor. If the sensor connection becomes contaminated, you can disrupt communication between the sensor and the brake booster system. This can lead to a loss of braking power , increasing the risk of an accident.
It is essential that you take your SUV to the dealership to have this problem fixed immediately. There is nothing you can do on your own to correct or stop the problem.
Users also reported squealing brakes, power steering issues , and premature tire wear. The best way to avoid these problems is to take your vehicle in for regular maintenance and checkups. You should also use caution when driving and be aware of recalls.
8. Missing front seat mounting bolts
On some vehicles, an error occurred during the manufacturing process, which caused the mounting bolts for the front seats to be missing. The full scope of the recall is unknown. This problem is significant and requires an immediate visit to the dealership for repair.
This can cause the seats to come loose from their attachment points, posing a risk of injury to passengers. If you notice that the seat is loose, you should contact your dealer immediately to fix this problem. Do not drive the vehicle until it has been properly repaired.
In general, the Chevy Trailblazer has several common problems that can affect the safety of you and your family on the road.
9. Stiff driving
While the Chevy Trailblazer is a great SUV for families, it’s not the most comfortable drive available. On or off the road, customers report feeling every pothole and uneven pavement.
The suspension is on the stiff side, leading to a bumpy, jolting ride over uneven roads. It is undoubtedly one of the common Chevrolet Trailblazer faults that bothers users the most.
Trailblazer also works hard to smooth out potholes . None of the trim levels sought on the SUV offer upgraded suspension, so it’s hard to further optimize ride quality.
What’s disappointing is that the stiff ride means the iconic Trailblazer isn’t suited for off-road adventures. So this is clearly a negative if you’re looking for an SUV that can take on rough terrain.
In general, if you’re looking for a comfortable drive, you might want to consider a different SUV, like the Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer.
10. Problems with the air conditioning blower
On 2002-2008 Chevy Trailblazers around 114,075 miles (183 thousand kilometers), consumers reported that the HVAC blower motor stopped running at one or more speeds. Some people reported that certain speeds stopped working, others that there were changes in temperature, and still others said that certain vents didn’t work at all.
This was due to a faulty motor resistor block and could be verified by checking the function of the switch before taking it in for repair. This problem could occur from 1,460 miles (2,300 kilometers).
11. Transmission performance
The optional nine-speed automatic gearbox in the Trailblazer has been found to vary significantly during testing. In a test vehicle, it drove well with no issues. However, a second test vehicle with the same transmission took longer to lower and completely ruined the driving experience.
Combined with the sluggish engine, the Trailblazer doesn’t score well for power and performance. If you’re looking for an SUV with a smooth and responsive transmission, you’re better off looking elsewhere.
12. Little comfort for larger drivers
Drivers who aren’t small may find the Chevy Trailblazer uncomfortable. This is because they have built the seat and interior design for smaller bodies, which leads to a cramped feel for taller drivers.
The rear seats don’t offer much room to move, either. The smaller size means it doesn’t really seat five passengers comfortably. If you have a larger body, it’s best to test drive the Chevy Trailblazer before making a purchase.
So if you’re looking for an SUV that can accommodate a larger family or taller passengers, the Trailblazer may not be the best option. You may want to consider a three-row SUV that is better for multiple people on a road trip.
You may find the SUV too uncomfortable for regular use. Although the SUV has its problems, it’s still a good choice for small families who need space and utility. To enhance your driving experience and stay safe on the road, visit your dealer regularly for maintenance and checkups.
Comments and Opinions on the Chevy Trailblazer
One user of a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer complained that:
“Every single one of those pothole noises sounds loud and clear inside the vehicle.”
One person listed this issue on their 2021 Trailblazer:
