2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer

▲ Better than typical
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:47:17.409Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
193
Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2001: 20 complaints 2002: 1,149 complaints 2002 2003: 901 complaints 2004: 1,081 complaints 2005: 1,466 complaints 2005 2006: 1,107 complaints 2007: 732 complaints 2008: 193 complaints 2008 193 2009: 27 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2021: 198 complaints 2021 2022: 112 complaints 2023: 73 complaints 2024: 35 complaints 2024 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 12 complaints
1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2001: 20 complaints 2001 2002: 1,149 complaints 2003: 901 complaints 2003 2004: 1,081 complaints 2005: 1,466 complaints 2005 2006: 1,107 complaints 2007: 732 complaints 2008: 193 complaints 2008 193 2009: 27 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2021: 198 complaints 2021 2022: 112 complaints 2023: 73 complaints 2023 2024: 35 complaints 2025: 25 complaints 2025 2026: 12 complaints
1999: 4 complaints 1999 2000: 26 complaints 2000 2001: 20 complaints 2001 2002: 1,149 complaints 2002 2003: 901 complaints 2003 2004: 1,081 complaints 2004 2005: 1,466 complaints 2005 2006: 1,107 complaints 2006 2007: 732 complaints 2007 2008: 193 complaints 2008 193 2009: 27 complaints 2009 2014: 1 complaint 2014 2021: 198 complaints 2021 2022: 112 complaints 2022 2023: 73 complaints 2023 2024: 35 complaints 2024 2025: 25 complaints 2025 2026: 12 complaints 2026

2008: 193 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19994
200026
200120
20021,149
2003901
20041,081
20051,466
20061,107
2007732
2008193
200927
20141
2021198
2022112
202373
202435
202525
202612

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

35% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing switch and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Incident with my 2008 chevy Trailblazer incident reported on sept. 9 at 9:30PM which occurred as I was driving home from a cubscouts meeting, with my 2 sons in the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-16

Electrical power distribution box power wiring/ribbon that is under left rear seat overheated and caught papers inside car on fire and caught entire car on fire from overheated copper ribbon that failed to trip circuit breaker to stop wiring ribbon...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-20

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that the front passenger side window was opened and the door caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-21

Air bags

17% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that he crashed and rear ended into another vehicle stopped at a stop light at 53 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-05-11

Was traveling 40 MPH and was hit head on by another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. Was on a city street with a 40 MPH speed limit. Going straight.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-29

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. While driving 35 MPH, the contact was involved in a head-on crash. The entire front end of his vehicle was crushed and the insurance company declared the vehicle as destroyed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-03-13

Engine

11% · 21 reports
FIRE

Exterior lighting

9% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

FIRE

Service brakes

8% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2017-04-24Recall queryClosed 2021-03-29 Loss of Headlights

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 67 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 21 reports on file for this year.

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.