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8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
92,600 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. reset the alarm (1 reports)
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer Owner Comments

problem #5

May 082017

Trailblazer LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My son and I were driving 65 mph on the Interstate.... car just died, no warning. I had to veer suddenly to the right to make the ramp or take a chance on the shoulder. Lucky for us no car was to my right as I was in the middle lane. Had no real brakes and this was a short ramp to the intersection. Again Lucky I got the car stopped, NOT lucky I was still taking up space on a blind ramp. Cars were screaming down the ramp right next to me and my son. I yelled at him to get out of the car and go down the hill and get in the parking lot of an empty building. Why those idiots were coming down that ramp at 90 to nothing is beyond me, but they were. The car was in Drive and I could not for the life of me get it into neutral to push it down the hill and into the parking lot... I had to call an Uncle to come an hour away to try and help me, if nothing else to get the car off the ramp. In the mean time a DPS pulls up and I explain how I can't get the car in neutral and he tells me that I had better have the car moved before the sun goes down. He also told me to call a wrecker, I explained that I didn't have the money for one as I had just paid out of my own pocket for a Basal Cell Carcinoma surgery. One woman stopped to ask if she could call someone for me. One Woman! Mind you I was in an industrial area of town, nothing but refineries for miles and miles and not one Man stopped to see if they could help. My Uncle finally showed up, he couldn't get the car in neutral either, Again, Luckily another man finally decided to stop, probably because he was hauling butt down the ramp and almost my car. He knew how to get the link out of the shifter and we were able to roll the car down the hill and into the parking lot. The man left, the only option I thought I had was to find someone to loan me money to get the car towed and to a mechanic. My Uncle drove me back to my house. The next day I woke up stressed about the car (how would I get to work!?!) So, I went on YouTube and started searching for any clues as what could be wrong with the car. There were many things (of course) that the issue could be. My Uncle drove all the way to my house and picked me and my son up. All I could think about was that someone either stole, towed or damaged my car. When we got to where the car was, I had only hoped that my search was worthwhile , I told my son to get my phone and look up a video on how to RESET THE ALARM , sure enough there was one right there on YouTube (Later I found this to be strange) IT WORKED !!! I followed the instructions ... turn the key to "on" ... let it stay like that for exactly 10 minutes (exactly) then turn the key to "off" for about 5 seconds.... then start the car.... And you better believe it worked ... IF ANYONE HAS A CLUE, PLEASE HELP !! I don't want to be in a terrible wreck (esp. w/ my child)

- Stephanie M., Alice, US

problem #4

Feb 192017

Trailblazer LS 4,3 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,800 miles

I have a low mileage Chevy Trailblazer and never had an issue with it for a year. It only had 39k miles when purchased and at about 52k this happened.

Two weeks ago on a Sunday while driving the check engine light came on. Figured dirty sensor or something as no impact to performance. While driving dash light up and car shut down. No power nothing and let me tell you if you don't have steering and it shuts down in a turn very scary.

Took it to my dealership where they said the code is to replace the ECM. They did for $700 drove home and to work the next day. On the way home, it happened again. Check engine light came on and then shortly thereafter engine died. I removed the keys, closed the hatch and it started again.

Took back to the dealer. They cleared the codes as I was told sometimes the programming could take up to 5 times to fix. Went to leave dealership and check engine light on. They said it seemed to be the wiring harness to the ECM was not sealed and arcing. Used a zip tie and cleared code. Drove home and it happened again.

Took back to the dealership where they replaced two pins. Went home. Went to work and died on the way home with an 18 wheeler behind me and almost got me killed.

Back at the dealership where they are dumbfounded. Hoping to get it back today but not confident it will be fixed. Happens again, getting them to clear the code and trade it in.

- Norm C., Spring City, PA, US

problem #3

Feb 022016

Trailblazer Vortec 4200

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

One other time, the oil pressure gauge starts fluctuating and checked the oil and it was almost out. Today, it did not fluctuate, it bottomed out all of a sudden and the the engine died and it will not turn over, crank, run or anything. I'm hoping that the engine is not locked up.

- Dianna L., A, TN, US

problem #2

May 072012

Trailblazer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,177 miles

Vehicle engine shut down while I was driving. I had to fight and ask for a manager to be taken seriously. They kept trying to say nothing was wrong with the vehicle. Had additional problems in Sept 2012 and then again in October 2012. I will post those details under an additional complaint. They involved being unable to use brakes and lights turning on on the dashboard.

- Sherri S., Albany, NY, US

problem #1

Mar 012013

Trailblazer LT 4.2V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,959 miles

In march 2013 I bought a chevy trailblazer. Loved it. But then not even a full month after getting it, the dash lights up like a Xmas tree. And I lost brakes and the blazer shut off on me as I was going to work. So I called the car dealership and they fixed it. Well about 3 months later same thing, and they fixed it. Then same thing again 4 months later. Then it went a little longer and this yr 2014 in May a week before my wedding I had them change the oil and it went again. This whole time it has been the throttle body/ throttle position pedal sensor. And I can tell u having 2 boys and driving this damn this when it acts up is scary!!! I have tried to have this taken care of and the car dealership wants nothing more to do with it. Well as u can tell it has happened way too many times. And this is kind of my only hope is sending this message. I am so lost and really do wish I someone would give me some answers! Thank u for taking the time to read this.

- Tina D., Oil City, PA, US

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