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Chevy Trailblazer problems

2020-2023 Chevy Trailblazer Problems

Originally available from 2001 to 2008, Chevy revived the Trailblazer as a subcompact crossover SUV in 2020. The new Trailblazer is an improvement over the previous version and is one of the best-selling vehicles in its class.

The new Trailblazer offers a modern, sleek exterior, spacious cabin, and fuel-efficient powertrain. It’s also one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs. 

Unfortunately, despite its upgrade and popularity, Trailblazer owners reported various issues with the crossover. Below you’ll find a list of the most common Chevy Trailblazer problems reported by owners:

  • Missing Front Seat Attachment Bolts
  • Equipment Failure
  • Road Noise
  • Body Shakes
  • Safety Recalls
  • Sluggish Engine
  • Failure of Electric Brake Boost
  • Speed Control Issues
  • Stiff Ride
  • Transmission Performance
  • Electrical Problems
  • Climate Control

The purpose of this article is to provide further clarity into each of these issues for current and potential owners.

If you leased or purchased a defective Chevy Trailblazer in California it is very likely that you are entitled to compensation.  Contact Cali Lemon Lawyers for a free case evaluation.

2023 Chevy Trailblazer Pros and Cons

Overall, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a good option for those looking for a stylish and spacious subcompact SUV. It has a lot to offer in terms of features and amenities, and it is also expected to be reliable. However, its acceleration and ride quality are not the best in class, and some rivals offer more standard features.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros:

  • Spacious interior: The Trailblazer has a spacious interior with plenty of legroom and cargo space. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the rear seats can comfortably seat two adults. The cargo area is also spacious, with 25.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
  • Stylish exterior design: The Trailblazer has a stylish exterior design that is sure to turn heads. The front end is dominated by a large grille and swept-back headlights, and the rear end features a sloping roofline and LED taillights.
  • Wide range of standard features: The Trailblazer comes standard with a long list of features, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trim levels add features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Bose sound system, and a panoramic sunroof.
  • Available all-wheel drive: The Trailblazer is available with all-wheel drive, which makes it a good choice for those who live in areas with snow or rain.
  • Good fuel economy: The Trailblazer gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. This is better than the fuel economy of some of its rivals.
  • Estimated to last 150,000-200,000 miles: The Trailblazer is expected to be a reliable vehicle. J.D. Power gave the Trailblazer a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Cons:

  • Sluggish acceleration: The Trailblazer is powered by a 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 155 horsepower. This engine is not very powerful, and the Trailblazer can feel sluggish when accelerating.
  • Harsh ride: The Trailblazer has a harsh ride, especially over rough roads. This can be uncomfortable for passengers.
  • Some rivals offer more standard features: Some of the Trailblazer’s rivals, such as the Mazda CX-30 and the Hyundai Kona, offer more standard features.
  • Fully loaded models can be expensive: The Trailblazer can get expensive when you add all the available features.

Common Problems Found in 2020 – 2023 Chevy Trailblazers

No car is perfect, but the redesigned Chevy Trailblazer is an excellent choice for an SUV in its price range. While a great vehicle, the following problems have been identified.

1. Missing Front Seat Attachment Bolts

missing front seat attachment bolts

Do your front seats feel loose in your Trailblazer? During manufacturing, some Trailblazers had an error that resulted in front seats missing rear attachment bolts. The error could be on the left, right, or both front seats. 

Even if the seats feel secure, they may still be missing bolts. A loose seat increases the risk of injury to the driver and passengers.

While the scope of the error is uncertain, Chevy issued a recall in 2020 to remedy the problem free of charge. If you are on the recall list, you should have this repair completed immediately to avoid future issues. 

2. Equipment Failure

While reading through recalls for the Trailblazer, you’ll see the model has several recalls related to equipment failure

Luckily, all these issues can be fixed for free by Chevrolet.

  • The emergency jack can fracture if not placed correctly.
  • The certification label on the 17-inch sports tires showed the wrong size and tire pressure.
  • The driver-side door may leak and cause corrosion in the window switch module.
  • Some installed headlights did not meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.

3. Road Noise

road noise

Trailblazer owners complain that there is excessive road noise from their vehicles. Most noise-related issues pertain to the tires and suspension on the Trailblazer.

The Trailblazer is known to shake at higher speeds. This increases the road noise you’ll experience while driving. So if you enjoy a serene and quiet ride, you won’t find it in a Chevy Trailblazer. 

Unfortunately, since the Trailblazer is an economy SUV, most models do not offer noise-canceling technologies. The top-of-the-line trim ACTIV model does offer noise canceling, but reviewers complain that noise is still apparent even on smooth rides. 

Chevy does offer an excellent eight-speaker Bose sound system to combat the noise. Drivers can also wirelessly connect their Apple or Android devices to listen to their favorite playlists. Still, this only makes the interior louder. 

4. Body Shakes

A shaky car is a dangerous car. Drivers claimed their Trailblazer shakes uncontrollably at highway speeds. This can cause drivers to feel unsafe while operating their new cars. 

Many body shaking complaints are due to misaligned wheels, tire damage, or bent rims. But, other owners had issues with the engine shaking while idle. 

All types of body shakes can cause damage to the vehicle or cause an accident. If your Trailblazer shakes, you should bring it in for a checkup.

5. Safety Recalls

safety recalls

Since 2020, there have been sixteen safety recalls for Chevy and GMC SUVs. From braking systems to missing parts, you’ll have to spend some time at the dealer having these issues repaired on your Chevy Trailblazer. Not all trim types or vehicles were subject to every recall. 

Some of the more important safety recalls are below. 

  • Front lower control arm fractures.
  • Electronic brake boost system sensor replacement.
  • Missing rear attachment bolts on the front seats cause the seat to move. 
  • Improper calibration of the transfer case control module can cause a crash.
  • The airbag can fracture along weld points during deployment and not inflate. 
  • Missing welds in the rear floor can degrade.

6. Sluggish Engine

Don’t plan on winning a road race with the standard trim Chevy Trailblazer. The LS front-wheel drive Trailblazer features an ECOTEC 1.2L Turbo base engine. Even with the turbo, owners feel the engine is weak and has difficulty reaching 60 MPH. 

The vehicle also struggles to pass other vehicles at highway speeds. This can make it difficult to get out of the way of oncoming traffic or avoid dangerous situations at high speeds. 

You can upgrade to a 1.3L turbo with 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque if you want more power. 

7. Failure of Electric Brake Boost

failure of electric brake boost

Issues with the braking system can be life-threatening. One of the biggest recalls for the 2020 Trailblazer involved the electronic brake boost of the vehicle. 

Contamination of the sensor connection causes an interruption of communication. This results in the sensor not activating the brake boost. Drivers need to apply extra brake pedal force during braking, and this can result in a crash. 

If you own a 2020 Trailblazer, you should schedule a repair for the electronic brake boost as soon as possible. 

8. Speed Control Issues

Drivers that use speed control want a smooth and relaxing experience. Imagine if your vehicle accelerated to 100 MPH on its own while using speed control. Reports like this are common for Chevy Trailblazers with speed control issues. 

The problem commonly occurred when drivers activated speed control at speeds above 40 MPH. Not every Trailblazer will experience this issue, but every owner needs to consider the speed control issue. This is a dangerous problem that can quickly cause a crash. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated the issue due to the numerous complaints. Unfortunately, there is no recall for this issue as of 2022. 

9. Stiff Ride

stiff ride

The Chevy Trailblazer won’t win any rewards for a smooth or comfortable ride. Vehicle Owner reported a stiff ride on and off-road. You can expect to feel every bump while riding on smooth highways or dirt roads.

The stiffness of the suspension leads to a bumpy ride that can cause fatigue in the driver and passengers. Unfortunately, Trailblazer does not offer an upgraded suspension at any trim level. 

While the Trailblazer is a crossover SUV, most owners won’t enjoy long off-road adventures in the vehicle. So if you need a vehicle that can conquer rugged and uneven terrain, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

10. Transmission Performance

The CVT transmission is responsive at low speeds but struggles when reaching highway speeds. Don’t expect to break any ¼ mile records in any Trailblazer. 

The optional 9-speed automatic transmission improves performance but has issues. Many drivers complained that the 9-speed is slow to shift. They also complained the 9-speed is not the smoothest transmission resulting in hiccups during shifts.

Even with the sluggish shifting, the 9-speed coupled with the turbocharged 1.3L engine offers the best combination of power and performance available for the Trailblazer.

11. Electrical Problems

Owners reported a variety of minor and major electrical problems with their Trailblazer. 

  • The window wiper electrical connections can corrode and need replacement.
  • Poorly illuminated dashboards, speedometers, and gauges make them hard to read. 
  • Power door and window switches may malfunction.
  • Forward collision assistance and automatic braking feature malfunctions can cause accidents.
  • A faulty speedometer shows incorrect speed while driving. 

12. Climate Control

The climate control system is often a major problem for Trailblazer owners. Drivers reported electrical issues, blower control module malfunctions, and AC fans not operating. 

While none of these issues are life-threatening, they make driving in extreme heat or cold uncomfortable. 

Chevy Trailblazer Reviews

Here are some real Chevrolet Trailblazer reviews that you might find helpful:

  • “The Trailblazer is a stylish and spacious subcompact SUV that’s a good value for the money. It’s not the quickest or most refined SUV on the market, but it’s a good choice for those who are looking for a practical and affordable vehicle.” – Edmunds
  • “The Trailblazer is a good choice for those who are looking for a stylish and fuel-efficient SUV. It’s not the most exciting vehicle to drive, but it’s comfortable and easy to maneuver.” – Car and Driver
  • “The Trailblazer is a good option for those who are looking for a subcompact SUV with a lot of cargo space. It’s also available with all-wheel drive, which makes it a good choice for those who live in areas with snow or rain.” – U.S. News & World Report
  • “The Trailblazer is a good value for the money. It’s not the most luxurious SUV on the market, but it’s well-equipped and reliable.” – Kelley Blue Book
  • “The Trailblazer is a good choice for those who are looking for a stylish and practical SUV. It’s not the best in class in any one area, but it’s a good all-around vehicle.” – MotorTrend

If you’re considering buying a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, be sure to read as many reviews as possible to get a well-rounded view of the vehicle. You should also consider the needs of your family when selecting a vehicle. For example, if you have young children, you might want to focus on reviews that mention the Trailblazer’s safety features or its spacious backseat.

Chevy Trailblazer Reliability

Are Chevy Trailblazers reliable? The Chevrolet Trailblazer is generally considered to be a reliable vehicle. It has a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100 from J.D. Power, which is considered to be great. This means that the Trailblazer is expected to have few problems over its lifespan.

According to Edmunds, the redesigned Trailblazer is an exceedingly competent and reliable vehicle. While it won’t outperform the best vehicles, the Trailblazer is one of the better compact crossover SUVs on the market and comes at an affordable price. 

The Trailblazer gives owners a roomy vehicle with good gas mileage and great style. If you can deal with the slow performance and stiff ride, the Trailblazer is a reliable option for the price.

However, there have been some reports of problems with the Trailblazer’s engine, transmission, and electrical system. These problems are relatively rare, but they can be costly to repair.

Chevy Trailblazer FAQs

Still have questions? We have answers. Below are some of the most common questions Trailblazer owners ask. 

What are common problems with 2021 Chevy Trailblazers?

Issues that present serious safety concerns for the Trailblazer include speed control issues, missing front seat bolts, and failure of the electronic brake boost. All these issues can cause a crash. You should consult your dealer as soon as possible for repairs if you have these issues. 

Other minor problems owners experience include noisy and stiff rides, poor off-road abilities, faulty window switches, and sluggish performance.

Do Trailblazers have transmission problems?

There are no major transmission problems with Trailblazer. The CVT transmission performs adequately at slow speeds but struggles to accelerate at highway speeds. 

The optional nine-speed automatic transmission is known to vary in performance. This means you may experience sluggish gear shifting, poor performance, or reduced efficiency. Still, the nine-speed transmission is the best option to improve the Trailblazer’s performance.

Final Thoughts

The Chevy Trailblazer blazed onto the crossover SUV scene as an inexpensive alternative in 2020. It gained popularity due to its styling and cost. The Trailblazer is a well-designed SUV and is a great option for families or drivers who need utility space.

But like any vehicle, the Chevy Trailblazer does have its shortcomings. It won’t outperform the leaders in its class. It also doesn’t have the smoothest ride. 

Do you own a 2020 – 2023 Trailblazer? How has your time with the vehicle been so far? Does your Chevy qualify for the lemon law? We’d love to hear about your experience with your Chevy Trailblazer. 

Comments (25)
  • I purchased a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer in September of 2022 from Central Chevrolet in Massachusetts. To date I have had nothing but things happen. Right now it’s in the shop since Tuesday with a blown tire,check engine light, noises when I turn off car for a minute, and brakes making noise.
    I have had the tires filled w/ air 3 times.
    I feel like it’s a lemon and has 5k miles and I don’t want it back!

  • I haven’t had any issues with my trailblazer, just the rough/stiff ride and sluggish gear change and speed acceleration. But for the price I’d say it’s really good. I absolutely hate the stiff ride though. But I think you can change out the suspensions. Not to sure. I don’t know much about cars. That sucks for you Dina because I haven’t had to send my trailblazer to the shop yet and I’ve had it since June 2022. If anybody knows anyways to improve the ride quality of the 2022 Chevrolet trailblazer please let me know. My email is robbiena2000@gmail.com.

    Thank You,
    Robbie

  • I’ve had my 2022 Trailblazer since March and one of the only things that has happened so far are the breaks squeak at times. That’s upsetting seeing how I got the car brand new. I have the LT model and yes the can be stiff at times but for this price point; well let’s just say if these are my only complaints I’m okay with that. I have not had any electrical problems. I am on the east coast living in the DMV area and I travel back and forth to Philly and North Carolina to visit family. As a daily driver it is so good getting around town and for me it is good on the highway surprisingly getting good gas mileage in AWD. Yes it is not the quickest car but I knew that when I purchased it however I have no issues keeping up with traffic or merging.

  • I hope the Chevrolet Trailblazer Chief Engineer reads my post because I am a potential future buyer for this product. 1. Like 99% of the new Trailblazer buyers, I will never take this vehicle off-road so they should redevelop the ride quality for pleasant street driving feel. 2. Having owned 4 new super-slow Sonics over the years I would purchase a new Trailblazer with the 1.3L but would be disappointed if the transmission calibration was as poor as is mentioned in some articles. 3. The exterior color offerings on Trailblazer tend to be mostly bland and need more ‘pop’ though the 2022 yellow color is just not good as it has too much ‘greenish’. A wonderful light-metallic green color was used on Sonics and Camaros back in the mid-teens and a ‘high-pop’ light blue metallic and/or purple would be great. Trailblazers are bought by people who have a younger mind set and like a little pizzaz. 4. Don’t gouge the customers on pricing. The dealers have really hurt the attitude of the buying public as they have marked cars at higher-than-sticker prices. I have watched these dealers as I am a frequent browser between purchases and I won’t forget which dealers were greedy. 5. Keep a black-cloth interior option because Ford’s forever-dark greyish interiors suck. 6. Don’t take away my choice to buy a gasoline-powered Trailblazer or I WON’T ever buy the product. Thank you, Kevin L

  • Hi ,I’m having issues with my back hatch wont open and remotes go in an out other than that It’s been a great car ,just had new tires put on and It’s a lot smo other.I love it !

  • I just purchased my 2022 a year ago to be exact and haven’t had any problems. My only complaint from day 1 would be squeaky brakes! That doesn’t seem right but I will bring it up at my next oil change coming up and see what the dealership tells me.. I hope it’s smooth sailing from here on out through 🙏

  • My daughter bought a 2023 Chevy Trailblazer on Dec30,2023 and in a little over 2 weeks she has had issues with speed changing over 38mph and backup camera staying on all the time. It was taken the dealership where it was bought and they Saud checked everything out on January 25,2023 and it was good to go, then she picked it up on January 26,2023 and was told it was fine. Then on January 29,2023 my daughter once again called because issues with electrical issues causing Bluetooth , Apple play, highbeams, lane warning not working. So again ANOTHER trip to the dealership!!! I would like an explanation. Brand new car 30 days old and this many issues??? Beginning to leave a bad taste in my mouth and will be looking into what legal compensation my daughter will be entitled to and if other people should be warned on the faulty manufacturing of this vehicle.

  • I have the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer. It’s the first new car I’ve had in 14 years. I loved my other car and because it had hardly any electronics no problems in that area. This current vehicle has issues with the “infotainment” system — a screen is there; then it’s gone & you can’t get it back. Sometimes it recognizes my phone and sometimes it doesn’t. In other areas, the car pulls to one side or another. The guy at the dealership said it was because of the road “crown” — that might be BS. Tomorrow morning I’m taking it to the dealership for the infotainment issues — told it might just need updating of the software. We will see . . .

  • 2021 Trailblazer with emissions problem??
    Vehicle threw P1467 code which appears to be a common issue with these vehicles. I wouldn’t expect a new car to have emissions problems.

    • I have a 2021 Trail Blazer it’s also in the shop emission problems now . I’ve had to replace the control module and several tires. I don’t know if anybody else is having this problem but for some reason it’s always the front passenger tire. Purchased a brand new set 1K for tires to get “dealership recommended brand” and less than a week same tire (front passenger) was triggering a light. My driver seat squeaks like it’s missing parts, and my brakes also squeak. And Dina same I hear noises when I turn my car off and also when it’s sitting idle for a while. So frustrating

      • Hi Kim
        Regarding your seats making noise. That’s because the 2021 had a recall for missing front seat bolts. So Your seats are making noise because they need bolts.
        My Check engine light came on and it’s the Purge Valve which come to find out has gone on all the 2021 trailblazers. My sunroof has been fixed twice and my back hatchback they just can’t fix. blown 2 tires on the right side and air just won’t stay in the tires! The auto off safety feature works when it wants .
        But now I am rambling
        My point was to let you know there was a recall to have the bolts put in the seats that were not put in during manufacturing.

    • Hi
      My engine light came but it’s the same thing my dealership stated that it’s the Purge Valve which I am waiting for the part to come in now
      From what I have read it looks like most of the 2021 trailblazers with emissions problems have had the purge valve replaced. Chevy should have had a recall

  • David William Burk

    I have a 2022 trailblazer LT. The FWD model. I have only had 2 issues with it since buying it back in June 2022. The first being the infortainment system wouldn’t shut off for a few hours. Then it started turning off and on for like 20 minutes. Only happened once. When I researched it, the information that I found was updating. The second issue is sometimes the cruise control quits working for no apparent reason. I can pull over and kill the car for a bit, restart and not have any issues. It sort of reminds me of the reduce engine light that comes on randomly in the early 2000 models. Anywho, I love my little SUV.

  • Compré mi carro en noviembre del 2022 Chevy trailblazer 2023 al mes de tenerla empezó a hacer ese ruido molesto de los frenos es un chirrido como si se le saliera aire cada vez que freno y saco el freno. Ya lo lleve dos veces al
    Dealer la segunda ves me dijeron que es por el clima
    Frío. Vivo en California no hay nieve donde vivo. Me parece raro que que un carro nuevo le pase eso. Y no me siento a gusto con la compra.

  • My wife purchased a 2023 trailblazer last week. With less than 100 miles, the reduced engine power light came on. Dealer picked it up, apparently wires for the turbo melted. 6 days later, she got it back, drove home from work and then back to work this morning. Now engine light is on and smells something burning! Terrible experience so far

    • Hi Mark!
      I have had the same issue. I bought my 2023 Trailblazer in June the next day with 52 miles same thing happened. I took it to the dealership and they had it for several days and sent it home saying it was a “glitch” I drove for a few more days and the light and reduced power happened again. It has now been back in the shop since July 13th – no fix in sight.
      Very frustrating!!

  • Just bought a 2023 Trailblazer and the radio wouldn’t shut off and nothing would work when I was touching the touch screen. When I tried talking on the phone through blue tooth, it was loud and crackling so I had to hang up and when I was able to make a phone call, the blower on the air conditioner went way down. Took it to the dealer and they claim it is because I have an Apple 14 Pro connected to it and it’s causing problems. NOT happy witht his vehicle at all.

  • I have had my TrailBlazer for 24 hours and it’s been fantastic. It commands an equal mix of fear and respect.
    One small problem is that when it runs out of gas, it stops working. I’m no mechanic but that seems odd to me.

  • I Purchased a 2022 Chevrolet trailblazer a year ago this June. I have nothing but good things to say about this vehicle. I love it. It has all the bells and whistle’s, and they all work just fine.

  • I purchased my 2023 Chevy Trailblazer in Nov. it had less than 9000 miles when the message reducing engine speed popped up and the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership to find out the turbo had gone out and it needed the catalyst converter replaced. It was under warranty and didn’t cost anything for the repairs but very disappointing to have a new car with major issues. The turbo is supposed to last at least 150,000 miles. Just hoping this is not an indication of more issues to come.

  • My trailblazer very comfortable, but been having electrical issues. Already bought it in March 2023. I’ve read reviews. Some of the reviews are similar to my problems phones not hooking up screen is not functioning correctly and sometimes crackly in the sound camera stays on.

  • I’ve had my 2021 trailblazer for 2 yes now. I’ve had electrical problems, changed touch screen monitor due to freezing up, and few shorts fixed. Still loose connection somewhere, sudden jolt will cause monitor to flicker or go black. Now it’s in shop with massive coolant leak with only 27000 miles, an GM doesn’t have part in stock, with no estimated time.. So stuck with rental.

  • In March 2023, I purchased a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV in Florida. From the beginning, the radio had issues and stopped connecting to my mobile phone during the second week of use.

    Concerned about this situation, I decided to make use of the warranty and took the vehicle to the corresponding service center. However, after waiting for several months, they finally replaced the radio, but unfortunately, the problem persists, and the radio still does not function properly.

    It is disappointing that a new vehicle of this category has such a significant flaw, and despite following the procedures established by the warranty, I have not yet obtained a satisfactory solution.

    Honestly, I have no idea what to do next.

  • New 2023 Trailblazer. Radio wont shut off, screen functioning sometimes. Other times not functioning. Not a good deal with 3,000 miles

  • We have a 2022 Trailblazer LT 1.3L FWD, it is currently sitting in a shop needing CVT transmission replaced, also have already had problems with the thermal active management system, the coolant flow control valve, had to be replaced, and that not all, when the transmission went out I was in the process of diagnosing an issue with the intake. My opinion these issues shouldn’t be arising on a vehicle that’s barely two years old!!

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