Chevrolet Trailblazer Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, which top the model's complaint rankings with complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80 and multiple recalls tied to electrical and fuel system problems. The 2025 model year is currently rated Best, while 2009, 2023, and 2024 are rated Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 11
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,953
- Recall campaigns
- 14
- Crashes reported
- 140
- Fires reported
- 156
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Trailblazer Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Trailblazer problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 100 | 1,466 | 59 | 25 | 2 | Electrical System | 16 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 90 | 1,108 | 29 | 59 | 8 | Fuel System | 16 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 80 | 732 | 19 | 56 | 5 | Electrical System | 16 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 60 | 193 | 10 | 11 | 0 | Electrical System | 16 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 10 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 16 | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 70 | 193 | 7 | 3 | 4 | Engine | 29 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 50 | 110 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 40 | 68 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Engine | 30 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 30 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 20 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 30 | 5★ |
Trailblazer years to avoid: what went wrong
2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer Index 100 · 1,466 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2005 Trailblazer has the highest complaint index (100) of any model year, with 1,466 complaints. Electrical System issues account for 49% of its problems, with owners reporting failures around 70,000 miles median mileage, and Fuel System issues follow at 42% around 71,025 miles. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes and fires occurring after collisions. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year, covering airbag seat cover compatibility and windshield adhesive bonding under FMVSS 212.
2005 electrical system problems →2005 fuel system problems →2005 engine problems →
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer Index 90 · 1,108 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2006 Trailblazer ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 90 and 1,108 complaints. Fuel System problems make up 55% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 58,000, and owners describe fires linked to front-end collisions. Electrical System issues follow at 30%, with failures reported around 95,000 miles. NHTSA lists eight recalls for this year, the most of any Trailblazer model year, including door switch modules that could let fluid enter the driver's electrical system and a head-lamp module (HDM) replacement.
2006 fuel system problems →2006 electrical system problems →2006 visibility & wipers problems →
2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer Index 80 · 732 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2007 Trailblazer carries a complaint index of 80 with 732 complaints. Electrical System problems lead at 45%, with a median failure mileage of 93,114, and Fuel System issues follow at 42% around 56,000 miles. Owners describe steering wheels becoming loose while driving, airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and vehicles catching fire while parked. Five recalls apply to this year, including door module and windshield-related fixes shared with the 2006 model.
2007 electrical system problems →2007 fuel system problems →2007 visibility & wipers problems →
Most common Chevy Trailblazer problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System1,579 (40%)
- Fuel System1,566 (40%)
- Engine406 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers243 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain225 (6%)
- Other224 (6%)
- Brakes214 (5%)
- Airbags173 (4%)
- Structure & Body118 (3%)
- Steering96 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Chevrolet Trailblazer should I avoid?
- Avoid 2005, 2006, and 2007. They rank as the worst Trailblazer years with complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80 out of 3,953 total complaints across all years, plus multiple recall campaigns each.
- What is the best year for the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- The 2025 Trailblazer is rated Best with a complaint index of 20, the lowest of any model year. The 2009, 2023, and 2024 model years are rated Good.
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
- The 2009 Trailblazer has a low complaint index of 10 and only 27 complaints, but its Good verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
- What problems does the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer have?
- NHTSA data shows the 2005 Trailblazer's top problem areas are Electrical System (49% of its complaints) and Fuel System (42%), with failures reported around 70,000 to 71,025 miles median mileage.
- Does the Chevrolet Trailblazer have recalls?
- Across all model years, NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the Trailblazer. The 2006 model year alone has eight, the most of any year, mostly covering electrical and visibility components.