Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems
Owners filed 28 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer with NHTSA between May 2009 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (13).
Complaints
28
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Exterior lighting13
- Electrical system9
- Air bags4
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Engine2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Service brakes1
- Seat belts1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Power train1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
0
1
0
0
7
7
3
3
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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.”
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.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
3 reports
“THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, THEN THE CAR STARTS CHUGGING AND SHUDDERING AND SOUNDS AND FEELS AS IF IT WILL SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK IN TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE AT ANYTHING OVER 20 MPH, IF IT EVEN ACCELERATES AT ALL. I USUALLY END UP COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUTTING THE ENGINE DOWN. I LET IT SIT AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT MAY OR MAY NOT LET ME GO AGAIN. *TR”
Engine
2 reports1 crash
“CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD”
Vehicle speed control
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.