2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 5th-worst of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System problems dominate at 39% of complaints, including 11 reported fires, with no recalls on file for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #5 of 11 Trailblazer years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 193
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 13.5 city / 19.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2008 Chevy Trailblazer problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System76 (39%)
- Engine40 (21%)
- Airbags33 (17%)
- Brakes26 (13%)
- Seat Belts12 (6%)
- Steering11 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (5%)
- Fuel System8 (4%)
- Other8 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal or side crashes at speeds between 20 and 65 mph.
- Owners describe sudden brake failure, with the pedal traveling to the floor and little to no stopping power.
- Electrical fires were reported starting in door panels, under rear seats, and near the fuse box, with wiring or a circuit board named as the source.
- Some owners reported dashboard smoke and burning smells tied to warning lights, occurring without a consistent pattern.
- A power distribution box under the rear seat reportedly overheated and ignited nearby materials after wiring was changed to a copper ribbon design.
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13.5 MPG
- Highway
- 19.5 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,050
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Trailblazer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Caution verdict for the 2008 Trailblazer, with a complaint index of 60 and 193 complaints logged, ranking 5th-worst among 11 model years covered.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
- Electrical System issues lead complaints at 39% of the total (76 complaints), including 11 reported fires, with a median failure mileage of 79,500 miles.
- Does the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer have any recalls?
- No, NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2008 Trailblazer.
- What year Chevrolet Trailblazer should I avoid?
- The 2005, 2006, and 2007 Trailblazers carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80 respectively, all worse than the 2008 model's index of 60.
- How does the 2008 Trailblazer compare to other years?
- The 2008 Trailblazer's complaint index of 60 is better than 2005-2007 but worse than 2009, which scored 10 and earned a Good verdict.