Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Chevrolet TrailblazerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 28 owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (13) and electrical system (9). 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
28
Top: exterior lighting
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 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

28 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2009 – Jun 2026
  1. Exterior lighting13
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Air bags4
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  5. Engine2
  6. Vehicle speed control1
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Service brakes1
  9. Seat belts1

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
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Exterior lighting

13 reports
“My first complaint is that headlights, low beam, would not work. Only high beams worked. The issue stopped, unexplainable, on its own, has not occurred again. The 2nd complaint is the radio volume would 'slip' as if there were a loose wire to the speakers, and loss of sound became more frequent and for longer periods of time, eventually all sound stopped, it has not been fixed, as of yet. 3rd complaint, a brand new battery, in under a year of use, went completely dead, without any visible explanation. When an attempt to jump start the vehicle the cables from another cars battery were touched at my cars battery, it sparked, indicating to the person performing the task, there is a 'short' somewhere in the wiring system. I drive this vehicle less than 3000 miles per year, and use it sporadically with my second vehicle to keep the batteries active. I cannot explain why these issues are occurring but thought it important to mention them to other possible victims with the same issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11747022

Electrical system

9 reports1 crash
“THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED. ALL THE LIGHTS BLINK WHILE YOU RIDE ALONG. THE TWO BACK DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE STARTING TO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK PROPERLY. THE ITEMS THAT LET YOU KNOW WHEN A TIRE IS LOW IN AIR ARE FAILING. THE LAST ONE COSTING OVER $100 TO FIX. I AM GETTING VERY UPSET WITH THE ELECTRIC PARTS IN THIS TRAILBLAZER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE PURCHASE. AS A PHOTO I CAN SEND YOU A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10885231

Air bags

4 reports4 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A SEMI-TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, KNEES, AND ARMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2017Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10944639
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

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
152117$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
142016$3,900555
TrailBlazer 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121614$4,450635
TrailBlazer AWD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121613$4,800684
  • TrailBlazer 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    15 city · 21 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
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • TrailBlazer AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,800/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 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5042
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

2009 Trailblazer questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

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

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems?

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (13), electrical system (9), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer at 13–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026