Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Chevrolet TrailblazerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 195 owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Most complaints involve electrical system (66) and air bags (34). The EPA rates it 13–17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
13–17mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
195
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

195 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2008 – May 2026
  1. Electrical system66
  2. Air bags34
  3. Engine21
  4. Exterior lighting17
  5. Seat belts12
  6. Engine and engine cooling12
  7. Steering11
  8. Power train10
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Trailblazer model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20021,277
20031,266
20041,368
20051,734
20061,347
2007782
2008195
200928
2021201
2022113
202375
202436
202527
202612
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

66 reports11 fires
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while parked in her driveway, the passenger side door caught fire without warning. The fire occurred overnight and in the morning, the contact and her boyfriend discovered both her passenger side door and front passenger seat melted. The contact believed that the fire smoldered overnight and eventually burned out on its own. The fire department was not notified and a fire report was not filed. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact's boyfriend discovered that the wiring inside the door had melted which may have caused the fire. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2022Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11470255

Air bags

34 reports8 crashes
“Both side curtain airbags deployed while driving down the street. The driver's seatbelt tightened then locked up. There was no obvious reason for the airbags to deploy. the vehicle was taken to a Chevy dealer to see if it was on recall list but they said it was not. Vehicle was referred to a body shop for estimate for repairs...$6,435.00....if you can find the parts. driver was shaken up by the deployment but not injured.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2026Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11737768

Engine

21 reports1 fire
“I was driving on the highway just reaching 55 mph, that is when all of a sudden, my suv stalled out with no warning no sound nothing. I tried to restart it and sounded as if it was trying to start but wouldn't. after a couple of times of trying that is when a tow truck came and as he was putting my suv on the flat bed I noticed huge amount oil on the ground. I got it towed to Chevy dealership for service and that is when they told me that the 6th cylinder cracked also a rod went through causing a hole in the engine block. I asked what could have caused it, because I'm on top of my maintenance and my suv only had 94,000 miles on it. That is when he explained to me that it was nothing that I did and that there was nothing that I could've done to prevent it and that there was nothing I did wrong that caused it. So, the leaves me asking, isn't that a manufacturing issue?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2022EngineODI 11470303
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 4.2L 6-cyl · 6.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
TrailBlazer 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142017$3,650523
TrailBlazer 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
TrailBlazer 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
TrailBlazer 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131916$3,900555
TrailBlazer 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121614$5,550635
TrailBlazer AWD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121613$5,950684
  • TrailBlazer 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $5,550/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2582
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Trailblazer questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems?

Owners filed 195 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (66), air bags (34), engine (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer at 13–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026