Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2026 Chevrolet TrailblazerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Most complaints involve engine (5) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 27–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–31mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2026
Owner complaints
12
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

Back over preventionReported Aug 20, 2026NHTSA 26V539000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine5
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Service brakes3
  4. Air bags2
  5. Seat belts1
  6. Tires1
  7. Power train1
  8. Other / unknown4

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
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

Engine

5 reports
“I was stopped at a red light and when the light turned green to go, the car stalled. Steering wheel locked and I had to turn the car off and back on in the middle of traffic. This happened twice in one day to me. I brought it to the dealership and they cannot find a fix for this. The car also stalled on the service manager on the expressway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11772168

Electrical system

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving between 45 and 60 MPH, the air bag and safety restraint warning lights unexpectedly illuminated. After the warning lights illuminated, the steering felt loose, and the brake pedal locked, slid, and then released when engaged. The contact also stated that an electrical failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed by the dealer for a second time. The contact noted that the vehicle had previously been repaired for a separate electrical failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11770788

Service brakes

3 reports
“My new vehicle was stuck in park the dealership replaced a control module then a gear shift assembly and now some kind of brake switch and im nervous that the vehicles is unsafe. The dealership has not been letting me know much I've had to call and they won't give me any paperwork.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11756401
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.3L 3-cyl turbo · 1.2L 3-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 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 FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
293331$2,000287
Trailblazer FWD FFV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
303130$2,100297
Trailblazer AWD
Auto 9-spd, 3 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
262927$2,300329
  • Trailblazer FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    29 city · 33 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Trailblazer FWD FFV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo
    30 city · 31 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Trailblazer AWD
    Auto 9-spd, 3 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    26 city · 29 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    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

4 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not rated
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
— / 5
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Overall
5 / 5
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A AWD EARLY RELEASE
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
5 / 5
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SUV N/A FWD EARLY RELEASE
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 22215Vehicle 22214Vehicle 21867
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

2026 Trailblazer questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (5), electrical system (4), service brakes (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026